If we carefully look around us, we are surrounded by various electronic devices like smartphones, smart TVs, etc. Since everything needs an account or subscription, we unconsciously give our details to multiple sources. In this digital world, our data is always vulnerable to security breaches. As prevention is better than cure, various services like LifeLock and Identity Guard are used to protect your identity theft.
Brands like LifeLock and Identity Guard offer deep monitoring of your data which is registered on various portals. To prevent identity theft, these brands apply crucial measures by keeping track of your online presence. They also help a user restore their identity in case of online fraud. As both brands offer the best data protection services, many users get confused while buying a reliable identity theft protection service.
An Overview of LifeLock
Started in the year of 2005, LifeLock has emerged as a trusted brand for consumers. With the recent partnership with Norton, LifeLock was able to diversify its services. As Norton had experience in software security, LifeLock focussed on the identity theft segment. It offers several security features in one place to simplify its service at the user end.
LifeLock also has a good network in the Dark Web where regular users/browsers are unable to access information. This helps in tracking any leaked data in the most unpredictable places. It forces preventive measures to stop criminals from changing your information. From personal details to monetary frauds, LifeLock assures users quick solutions and reimbursements (for funds).
Pros
- It is one of the most reliable and trusted brands for online identity protection
- The users get a window of 30 days for a free trial
- It offers diverse protection including websites, investments, and other platforms
- All the plans for LifeLock include funds and wallet recovery feature
- It offers credit monitoring features in all plans
Cons
- All the services-related fees increase after the first year
- Some of its plans are priced higher than the competitors
- The three-bureau (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian) monitoring feature is only available in the Ultimate Plus plan
An Overview of Identity Guard
The journey of Identity Guard started in the year 1996, making it one of the first brands in the identity theft protection industry. Focussing on the importance of web security, Identity Guard has tried its best to reduce online fraud. Insurance of up to $1 million, identity restoration, and many other features are the reason behind the popularity of Identity Guard among consumers.
It offers both preventative and damage control measures, wherever a data breach is detected. Similar to LifeLock, Identity Guard also has a good presence in the Dark Web. It can thereby detect leaked data with the help of its deep scanning process through the Dark Web. To serve a large segment of consumers, Identity Guard also offers value-for-money plans.
Pros
- It offers ID theft insurance of $1 million, in every plan
- Some of the plans are pierced heapers than the competitors
- The users get a wide range of plans to choose from
- Apart from regular monitoring features, it also offers social media monitoring for selective plans
- It is one of the highest-rated brands by consumers
Cons
- It does not offer a money-back guarantee for the trial periods
- Some of the most basic features are not included in its budget-friendly plans
- Technical assistance for fraud resolution is available for the Ultra plan users
Lifelock vs Identity Guard: Features Comparison
LifeLock and Identity Guard belong to the same market and serve the same type of customer. Apart from some basic features, both brands have differences. To understand these differences, we will put LifeLock against Identity Guard. We have sorted some important features to form a base of comparison between Identity Guard and LifeLock.
1. Monitoring and Alerts
Monitoring is the most important feature for a user without which other features will not matter much. By monitoring potential data breaches, the users are alerted to take necessary actions. Both LifeLock and Identity Guard offer monitoring and alert features. When a data breach is detected, Identity Guard quickly alerts its users. LifeLock also alerts its users but takes longer time than Identity Guard. LifeLock offers credit monitoring while Identity Guard offers three-bureau monitoring.
2. Identity Restoration Support and Theft Insurance Policy
When your information is stolen, programs like identity restoration are used to restore it. Without insurance, users will have to pay out of their pockets during the identity restoration process. The expenses include several types of administrative and legal fees. With the identity restoration process, the user gains all the credentials, accounts, and identities lost in a breach or attack.
To remove the financial burden of the consumer, all the expenses are paid under the theft insurance policy. Identity Guard offers theft insurance of $1 million for all the plans. LifeLock also offers the $1 million theft insurance only for the Ultimate Plus plan. Similarly, the LifeLock Advantage plan includes $100,000 and the Standard plan includes $25,000 in theft insurance.
3. Mobile App
To simplify the control of their features, both LifeLock and Identity Guard offer connectivity via mobile app. These apps are configured with various services for identity theft protection. These apps are also equipped with anti-phishing features, by keeping security in mind. The LifeLock and Identity Guard apps are available on the Google Play Store (for Android devices) and Apple App Store (for iOS devices). The Identity Guard app offers an optimized experience due to its user-friendly UI. LifeLock app is also good in terms of fractures and alerts customizations.
4. Safety Security Features
When users are paying for security features, they expect a long list of crucial features. Both LifeLock and Identity Guard offer multiple security features for specific situations. Identity Guard offers monitoring features for social media, credit accounts, and Dark Web. Other features like lost wallet retrieval and support are also offered. Similarly, LifeLock also offers credit accounts, Dark Webm, and sex offender monitoring. It also offers features like computer security, waller retrieval, and 24×7 technical support.
5. Safe Browser Extension
Your identity is most vulnerable while web browsing through various websites. An accidental click on a phishing link can compromise your data within seconds. Safe browser extensions help in monitoring web browsing sessions and prevent redirects. These extensions work as the protective wall between data breaches and your data stored in the web browser. Both Identity Guard and LifeLock offer browser extensions. The browser extensions from both offer very close competition in terms of safe browsing.
6. Pricing of Plans
Both LifeLock and Identity Guard offer paid plans to prioritize security for their users. Depending on the type of plan, the user gets a list of various features (including basic and advanced). To offer better customization, both brands offer different pricing for individual and family plans. Identity Guard costs only $7.50 to $25 per month, for individual users. The price of plans lies between $12.50 to $33.33 per month for a family. LifeLock plans for individuals are priced between $7.50 to $19.99 per month. The family plan costs about $12.49 to $38.99 per month, including kids.
7. Customer Service
Customer service is an important factor in the after-sales phase. Since we are talking about identity theft, a quick response by customer support is crucial. In case of availability, LifeLock offers 24×7 customer support. It becomes easy for a user to avail help any time of the day or night. Identity Guard does not offer 24×7 customer service as it is closed on Sundays. However, the consumer satisfaction from Identity Guard customer service is excellent. LifeLock offers a quality service too but factors like process cancellations create barriers to receiving help.
Which Is Better: LifeLock or Identity Guard?
Now that we have discussed all the features of both brands, the question lies: Which is the better option? To answer this question, we have to understand our needs. Surely, both brands offer data protection and monitoring features. It is the little differences or unique features which will help you select the ideal option.
LifeLock is a better option when a user wants customization in the plans. It also takes the lead in customer service by offering 24×7 access. The user also gets better support for reimbursement of funds. Identity Guard offers a user-friendly interface through its app, to simplify processes at the user end. It offers aggressively priced plans, quick alerts, and customer satisfaction via technical support. This makes Identity Guard one of the highly rated services.
Lifelock vs Identity Guard – FAQs
Ans: Even if both brands offer services in the same segment, they have differences. Certain services of LifeLock are priced higher than Identity Guard. Identity Guard also offers a wider range of features, compared to LifeLock. The theft insurance policy is compulsory for all users of Identity Guard. The amount of theft insurance varies for LifeLock users, according to their plans.
Ans: A credit lock is a crucial process to prevent criminals from creating fake credit accounts. LifeLock also offers credit locking which will secure your information. By freezing your credit at the personal level, the necessity for LifeLock services will reduce or vanish.
Ans: To access its services, LifeLock offers various paid plans to its users. Hence, a user will need to initiate payment to get access to LifeLock services. To use LifeLock services for free, users can check for various promotional offers. These offers come with a free trial of LifeLock services.
Ans: To cancel an active subscription to Identity Guard, you can opt for two alternatives. You can log into your Identity Guard account and access the settings section. The option for subscription cancellation will be available here. Similarly, you can also call or mail customer support. The contact details are available on the official website of Identity Guard.
Ans: Yes, a user can protect their home title with Identity Guard services. In this service, the user will get alerts related to the title activity. In case of any claims on the title, Identity Guard will take necessary actions including monetary help.
Ans: Yes, Identity Guard offers monitoring for a user’s Social Security Number. Since this number is connected to various records including the financial ones, it must be protected. Identity Guard alerts the user of any fraud or breach related to their Social Security Number.
Conclusion
Identity theft is a very serious crime that could ruin the lives of people. Thanks to the security services offered by LifeLock and Identity Guard, a user feels safe. With monitoring, reimbursement, insurance, and other features, these services ensure the complete restoration of the user’s data. It is natural for a user to confuse between good brands kike LifeLock and Identity Guard. Therefore, this article offers a detailed comparison of features for LifeLock and Identity Guard. This discussion will surely help you while selecting an identity theft protection service.
