ITShield / A practical security toolbox

Free security tools.
Clearer choices.

Find a tool that fits the job in front of you. Compare its purpose, platform, setup, and free-edition limits before you choose.

Browse all 37 tools ↓

Official project linksEveryday and specialist tasks

What do you need to do?Choose a task

A useful starting comparison

Give every account its own password.

Compare a synced personal vault with an offline database you manage yourself.

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BitwardenKeePassXC

A starting point for small NGOs

What do you want to protect?

The tool library

Choose by purpose, platform, or setup.

These links open the publisher’s site in a new tab. Downloads and installations happen there.

Everyday use: familiar apps and extensions. IT support: configuration or command-line experience. Advanced setup: specialist testing or infrastructure work.

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Passwords & accessEveryday use

Bitwarden

Personal password vault

Save unique passwords and use them across your devices. A useful starting point for replacing reused passwords.

WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroidBrowser

Free personal plan

Before you choose

Organization administration and many team features require paid plans. Choose a team plan deliberately rather than sharing one personal vault.

LOCAL DATABASEITSHIELD / TOOL 02
Passwords & accessEveryday use

KeePassXC

An offline password database

Keep passwords in an encrypted database file under your control, with a desktop app for finding and filling logins.

WindowsmacOSLinux

Free software

Before you choose

You manage the database backup, master password, and any synchronization. Losing these can mean losing access.

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Privacy & encryptionEveryday use

Signal

Private team conversations

Use end-to-end encrypted messages and calls with colleagues who also use Signal.

iOSAndroidWindowsmacOSLinux

Free apps

Before you choose

The desktop app links to Signal on your phone. Plan how your organization handles devices, disappearing messages, and work records.

ITSHIELD / TOOL 04
Privacy & encryptionEveryday use

Cryptomator

Encrypt files before cloud sync

Create an encrypted vault for files stored in a cloud-synced folder. Encryption happens on your device.

WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid

Free desktop app

Before you choose

Mobile apps offer free read-only access; writing requires a paid unlock. Team administration is a separate product. Keep your recovery information safe.

cryptomator.orgOpen official site
ITSHIELD / TOOL 05
Privacy & encryptionEveryday use

uBlock Origin

Reduce unwanted browser content

Block unwanted requests and page elements in a supported browser. The Firefox listing is linked from the project.

FirefoxBrowser

Free extension

Before you choose

This card covers uBlock Origin, not similarly named extensions or uBlock Origin Lite. Browser support differs; follow the project’s installation guidance.

Firefox add-on listing ↗
ITSHIELD / TOOL 06
Backup & recoveryIT support

restic

Encrypted file backups

Back up files to local or remote storage, with encryption and efficient incremental snapshots.

WindowsmacOSLinux

Free software

Before you choose

Command-line setup and scheduled jobs need an owner. Storage may cost money; test a restore and protect the repository password.

ITSHIELD / TOOL 07
Backup & recoveryIT support

BorgBackup

Space-efficient backup archives

Create compressed, deduplicated, encrypted backups for Linux, macOS, and other supported Unix-like systems.

LinuxmacOSBSD

Free software

Before you choose

Needs command-line administration. Protect the encryption key and passphrase, and verify that a restore works before relying on the archive.

ITSHIELD / TOOL 08
Infrastructure defenseIT support

WireGuard

A VPN between your devices

Build encrypted network connections between configured peers, such as a staff laptop and an office network.

WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid

Free software

Before you choose

A VPN needs key management, routing, and access rules. It protects the connection; it does not automatically make either endpoint trustworthy.

ITSHIELD / TOOL 09
Privacy & encryptionIT support

VeraCrypt

Encrypted containers and volumes

Protect stored files inside an encrypted container or supported disk volume. Useful for information kept on physical storage.

WindowsmacOSLinux

Free software

Before you choose

Back up important data and recovery information before changing storage encryption. Check current platform support and the project’s security guidance.

MULTIPLE RELAYSITSHIELD / TOOL 10
Privacy & encryptionEveryday use

Tor Browser

Browse through the Tor network

Use a browser configured to route browsing traffic through Tor and reduce some forms of tracking.

WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid

Free browser

Before you choose

Signing in identifies you to that service. Downloads, browser changes, and device compromise can still expose information. Use the official platform guidance.

%48%69INPUTƒHiITSHIELD / TOOL 11
Endpoint & investigationIT support

CyberChef

Decode and transform data

Build a recipe to decode, format, hash, or inspect data in a browser. Helpful when making sense of unfamiliar log values.

Browser

Free browser tool

Before you choose

Use non-sensitive examples while learning. For confidential material, use an approved local copy and follow your organization’s handling rules.

ITSHIELD / TOOL 12
Network visibilityIT support

Wireshark

Inspect network packets

Capture and inspect traffic to investigate connection failures, unusual conversations, or network behavior.

WindowsmacOSLinux

Free software

Before you choose

Capture only authorized traffic. Packet files may contain sensitive information; control who can access them and where they are stored.

ITSHIELD / TOOL 13
Network visibilityAdvanced setup

Nmap

Discover hosts and services

Build an inventory of reachable hosts and open services on a network you are authorized to assess.

WindowsmacOSLinux

Free download

Before you choose

Agree on scope and timing before scanning. Review the Nmap license for redistribution, embedding, or commercial product use.

$ capture1 → packet · source · destination2 → packet · source · destination3 → packet · source · destinationITSHIELD / TOOL 14
Network visibilityAdvanced setup

tcpdump

Capture traffic from a terminal

Record or inspect packets from the command line, including on servers without a graphical desktop.

LinuxmacOSBSD

Free software

Before you choose

Use the project or your operating system’s trusted package channel. Limit the capture scope and handle saved traffic as sensitive data.

ITSHIELD / TOOL 15
Network visibilityAdvanced setup

Zeek

Turn traffic into useful logs

Produce structured records of network connections and protocols for investigation and monitoring.

LinuxFreeBSD

Free software

Before you choose

Requires traffic visibility, storage planning, and someone to interpret the records. It complements packet analysis rather than replacing it.

ITSHIELD / TOOL 16
Network visibilityIT support

NetworkMiner

Find artifacts in packet captures

Extract files, host information, and other artifacts from captured network traffic for a focused investigation.

Windows

Free edition

Before you choose

The professional edition adds features. Primarily designed for Windows; review the project’s guidance for other environments.

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Infrastructure defenseAdvanced setup

Suricata

Detect suspicious network activity

Inspect network traffic with rules that can produce alerts or support prevention when deployed appropriately.

LinuxWindowsmacOSBSD

Free software

Before you choose

Traffic placement, current rules, and alert review matter. Start with a planned deployment and test changes before enabling blocking.

ITSHIELD / TOOL 18
Infrastructure defenseAdvanced setup

OPNsense

A dedicated firewall and router

Run a network gateway with firewall and routing controls on suitable hardware or a virtual machine.

Appliance

Free community software

Before you choose

This is a dedicated system, not a desktop add-on. Check hardware requirements and prepare recovery before replacing a live gateway.

domain requestblocklist matchITSHIELD / TOOL 19
Infrastructure defenseIT support

Pi-hole

Network-level DNS filtering

Filter domain lookups using blocklists you choose for a network you administer.

Linux

Free software

Before you choose

Needs a supported host and DNS configuration. Filtering can affect legitimate services; keep an owner and a way to troubleshoot exceptions.

docs.pi-hole.netOpen official site
DNS ANSWERITSHIELD / TOOL 20
Infrastructure defenseAdvanced setup

Unbound

A validating DNS resolver

Run a recursive caching DNS resolver that can validate DNSSEC signatures.

LinuxBSDWindows

Free software

Before you choose

DNSSEC validation and domain filtering solve different problems. Plan access restrictions and resolver settings before serving a network.

ITSHIELD / TOOL 21
Infrastructure defenseAdvanced setup

Security Onion

An integrated monitoring platform

Bring network visibility, alerts, and investigation workflows together in a dedicated security monitoring deployment.

LinuxAppliance

Free distribution

Before you choose

Requires suitable compute, storage, and administration. Review hardware requirements; paid support and commercial options are separate.

docs.securityonion.netOpen official site
ITSHIELD / TOOL 22
Infrastructure defenseAdvanced setup

Wazuh

Centralize endpoint security signals

Collect endpoint logs and security events, monitor file changes, and review findings through a central platform.

LinuxWindowsmacOS

Free self-managed software

Before you choose

Central components require Linux; agents support Linux, Windows, and macOS. The platform needs maintenance. Hosted cloud offerings and support may be paid.

documentation.wazuh.comOpen official site
RUNRUN!ITSHIELD / TOOL 23
Infrastructure defenseAdvanced setup

Falco

Detect Linux runtime behavior

Monitor Linux host and container activity against runtime security rules to surface unexpected behavior.

Linux

Free software

Before you choose

Needs supported runtime components and tuned rules. Alerts still need investigation; this is not a source-code vulnerability scanner.

ITSHIELD / TOOL 24
Web & vulnerability testingAdvanced setup

ZAP

Test web application security

Use ZAP’s intercepting proxy and testing features to examine applications within an agreed assessment scope.

WindowsmacOSLinux

Free software

Before you choose

Listed here as ZAP. Active tests can change data or disrupt a service; use an approved scope and suitable test environment.

GETPOSTITSHIELD / TOOL 25
Web & vulnerability testingAdvanced setup

Burp Suite Community

Inspect web requests manually

Use PortSwigger’s free edition to intercept and inspect browser traffic while testing an authorized application.

WindowsmacOSLinux

Free community edition

Before you choose

The automated scanner and other professional features are not included. This is a manual testing toolkit that requires web security knowledge.

portswigger.netOpen official site
TLSCHECKITSHIELD / TOOL 26
Web & vulnerability testingAdvanced setup

testssl.sh

Review TLS configuration

Check supported TLS protocols, cipher configuration, and certificate-related behavior on a service.

LinuxmacOS

Free software

Before you choose

Command-line tool for authorized testing. Results need interpretation; correcting findings requires access to the service configuration.

PKGITSHIELD / TOOL 27
Web & vulnerability testingAdvanced setup

Trivy

Check software and container risk

Scan supported images, filesystems, and repositories for known vulnerabilities and other security findings.

LinuxmacOSWSL

Free software

Before you choose

Keep the scanner and databases current. Confirm findings against your deployed context; check installation support, including WSL where relevant.

HIGHITSHIELD / TOOL 28
Web & vulnerability testingAdvanced setup

Greenbone Community Edition

Manage vulnerability assessments

Run a self-managed vulnerability assessment platform for systems and networks you are authorized to test.

Linux

Free community edition

Before you choose

Container deployment requires Linux and container administration. Feed updates, resources, and scan scope need ongoing management.

greenbone.github.ioOpen official site
PARENTCHILDITSHIELD / TOOL 29
Endpoint & investigationIT support

Process Explorer

Understand running Windows processes

Inspect process relationships, open handles, and loaded DLLs when troubleshooting a Windows computer.

Windows

Free Microsoft utility

Before you choose

Requires technical judgment. A process name or a single indicator is not enough to establish whether something is malicious.

learn.microsoft.comOpen official site
ITSHIELD / TOOL 30
Endpoint & investigationIT support

Autoruns

Review what starts with Windows

See configured startup locations, including logon items, services, drivers, and scheduled tasks.

Windows

Free Microsoft utility

Before you choose

Review entries before changing them. Disabling the wrong item can break applications or device functionality.

learn.microsoft.comOpen official site
PROCESSNETWORKFILE12:00 EVENT 112:01 EVENT 212:02 EVENT 312:03 EVENT 412:04 EVENT 5ITSHIELD / TOOL 31
Endpoint & investigationAdvanced setup

Sysmon

Record detailed Windows events

Add detailed system events to Windows logs for later investigation and detection workflows.

Windows

Free Microsoft utility

Before you choose

Needs a suitable configuration and log collection plan. Check current Windows support; Sysmon records events rather than automatically resolving alerts.

learn.microsoft.comOpen official site
WINDOWS UTILITIESITSHIELD / TOOL 32
Endpoint & investigationIT support

Sysinternals Suite

A Windows troubleshooting toolkit

Get Microsoft’s collection of Sysinternals utilities, including Process Explorer and Autoruns, from one official source.

Windows

Free Microsoft utilities

Before you choose

Choose the utility that matches the task. Some tools can change system behavior and require administrative permissions.

learn.microsoft.comOpen official site
ITSHIELD / TOOL 33
Endpoint & investigationAdvanced setup

Velociraptor

Investigate managed endpoints

Collect and query endpoint information to answer investigation questions across devices you administer.

WindowsmacOSLinux

Free software

Before you choose

Server and client deployment, access control, and collection scope need planning. Collected material can contain sensitive organizational data.

docs.velociraptor.appOpen official site
SELECTsystem stateITSHIELD / TOOL 34
Endpoint & investigationAdvanced setup

osquery

Query system state with SQL

Explore processes, users, files, and other system information through SQL-style queries on supported endpoints.

WindowsmacOSLinux

Free software

Before you choose

Needs query design and, for a fleet, management infrastructure. Results describe observed state and require context.

ITSHIELD / TOOL 35
Endpoint & investigationIT support

ClamAV

Scan files for known malware

Use an open-source malware scanning engine in file-processing, server, or mail workflows.

WindowsmacOSLinux

Free software

Before you choose

Keep signatures updated. A clean scan is not a guarantee, and the engine is not a complete endpoint protection program.

ITSHIELD / TOOL 36
Endpoint & investigationAdvanced setup

Lynis

Audit a Unix-like system

Review a Linux, macOS, or Unix-like host for configuration and hardening suggestions.

LinuxmacOSBSD

Free community tool

Before you choose

The report proposes improvements; it does not automatically fix the host. Evaluate recommendations before making production changes.

ITSHIELD / TOOL 37
Privacy & encryptionAdvanced setup

GnuPG

Encrypt and sign files or mail

Use OpenPGP encryption and signatures for workflows that require deliberate key management.

WindowsmacOSLinux

Free software

Before you choose

Key verification, revocation, backups, and compatible applications need planning. A signature is useful only when the signing key is trusted.

Make the tool useful

A good download is only the beginning.

01

Choose one clear job.

Start with a problem you can name: safer logins, a recoverable backup, or a specific system check.

02

Check the fit.

Review the official requirements, free-edition limits, and who will maintain it. Test scanners only on systems you are authorized to assess.

03

Verify the result.

Try the recovery process, review the output, and document who owns the next step. A tool needs a working routine around it.

Library reviewed 22 October 2026. Editions and platform support can change; the linked publisher documentation is the source of record.

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