- Broker coverage25
- Removal success rate25
- Time to removal20
- Transparency & support15
- Privacy & data handling15
25% of total score · illustrative criterion weights
See related criteria →Review Methodology
Evidence rules, scoring structure, and update policy behind every Security Checklist recommendation.
- 100% IndependentNo sponsorships or paid placements decide scores.
- Hands-On TestingReal tools in controlled environments, only when a signed record exists.
- Transparent Scoring ModelIllustrative 100-point category weights; live product scores stay N/Pub until verified.
- Scheduled Re-checksPrices, plans, and claims are re-verified on a cadence, not invented for freshness.
Process
Our testing process
Six stages from research to ongoing updates. Hands-on steps only publish when a signed test record exists.
- 1
Research
Identify products, features, and claims to verify.
- 2
Product Setup
Install, configure, and prepare test environments.
- 3
Hands-On Testing
Run real-world scenarios when a signed record is approved.
- 4
Evidence Review
Verify results and collect supporting evidence.
- 5
Scoring
Score across categories and calculate published results.
- 6
Ongoing Updates
Monitor changes, re-test, and update ratings.
Criteria
What we test
Category criteria and illustrative weights. Full criteria pages stay claim-safe until product scores are verified.
- Security & encryption30
- Passkeys & MFA support20
- Autofill accuracy20
- Sharing & recovery15
- Usability & platforms15
25% of total score · illustrative criterion weights
See related criteria →- Malware protection30
- Web & phishing shields20
- Performance impact20
- Cleanup tools15
- Usability & support15
25% of total score · illustrative criterion weights
See related criteria →- Breach monitoring25
- Alert quality20
- Recovery support20
- Coverage scope20
- Transparency & pricing clarity15
25% of total score · illustrative criterion weights
See related criteria →Weights reflect relative importance within a category and are shown here as structure, not as published product scores.
Lab setup
Our testing environments
Devices
- Windows 11
- macOS
- Android
- iOS
Browsers
- Chrome
- Firefox
- Edge
- Safari
Networks
- Home Wi-Fi
- Public Wi-Fi
- VPN path checks
Regions
- US
- UK
- Canada
- EU
- Australia
Evidence
Evidence & claim ledger
Material claims need a source type, description, and verification state. This table shows the ledger format, not a live product dossier.
| Source type | Description | Evidence | Access date | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hands-on test | Signed scenario with scope, date, environment, limitations | Test record (when approved) | Per record | Required before “we tested” |
| Vendor documentation | Official plan, feature, or pricing pages | Claim ledger citation | Captured on verify date | Attributed as vendor claim |
| Public record | Independent reporting or regulatory filings | Linked source | Captured on verify date | Cited with limitations |
| Third-party lab | External detection or privacy studies | Named study + date | Study publication date | Never re-labeled as ours |
Scoring
Our scoring system
100
points
- Data Removal 25%
- Password Managers 25%
- Antivirus 25%
- Identity Protection 25%
Equal cluster weights shown for structure. Live pages publish scores only after verification.
Score calculation
- Criteria scored on a defined rubric within each category.
- Category totals roll up using documented weights.
- Overall scores stay unpublished until claim ledgers and (when claimed) test records clear.
- Free remedies are presented before paid recommendations on commercial pages.
Editorial
Editorial policies
Untested products
We never imply hands-on testing without a signed test record.
Unavailable features
Marketing pages are not treated as verified capability.
Vendor assertions as ours
Vendor stats stay labeled as vendor claims until independently verified.
Editorial independence
Affiliate payout cannot determine score or recommendation order.
Affiliate separation
Commercial links go through first-party tracking with visible disclosure.
Conflict policy
Material conflicts are disclosed; unfinished AI copy is not published.
Updates
Updates & corrections
Price verification
Plan names and starting prices are re-checked before publication when ledgers require it.
Update cadence
Material product changes trigger review of affected pages and claims.
Corrections
Reader challenges route to our corrections process once live.
Reader reports
Send evidence gaps or errors, we prioritize claim-safe fixes over speed theater.
Illustrative example, sample format only
Example test record UI
“SecureShield” below is a fictional sample product used only to show record layout. It is not a Security Checklist finding.
SecureShield Antivirus
Sample format · not a live test record
Test summary
- Scope: illustrative fields only
- Environment: sample lab chrome
- Status: unpublished / not verified
Evidence slots
- Artifacts attach only after a signed test record is filed
- Limitations come from the published test protocol
- Checked date is set when evidence is recorded
Overall score
N/Pub
Real products stay unpublished until verification clears.
Quality
Quality gates
- Claim ledger completeness for material facts
- No unfinished AI copy on publishable pages
- Free remedies before paid recommendations
- Who-should-not-buy stated on commercial pages
- Accessibility and metadata gates for publishable routes
- Portal preview stays noindex until production cutover
Sign-off format
Latest sign-offs
Role titles only for now, no invented reviewer identities or headshots. Named roster publishes with verified bios.
- Lead reviewer (role)Page claim audit · Format example
- Methodology editor (role)Test-record gate · Format example
- Corrections owner (role)Reader challenge intake · Format example
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