Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
To choose a brokerage with sensible data safeguards, compare its privacy disclosures, account-security and recovery options, legal registration, account terms, and handling of cash—not just its marketing or SIPC membership. No single feature proves a firm is secure. This guide is for U.S. individual investors; the SEC’s guidance offers ways to evaluate firms, not security ratings or comparisons of specific brokerages.
Why a brokerage asks for personal information
Providing sensitive information during account opening is not, by itself, a sign of poor privacy practices. Broker-dealers collect identifying, tax-related, and financial details for customer identification, recordkeeping, and suitability-related purposes, according to the SEC’s explanation of why broker-dealers ask for personal information.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Information may include your name, address, date of birth, and identification number or Social Security number if you are a U.S. citizen. Account records can also include your phone number, occupation, income, net worth, and investment objectives. The useful question is not simply whether the firm asks for data, but whether it clearly explains what it collects, why it uses it, how it safeguards it, how long it retains it, and when it shares it.
Compare privacy practices and account security
Review each firm’s privacy notice and account-security information before opening an account. The SEC’s investor guidance does not compare individual brokerages’ policies, so verify the current terms directly with each firm.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible Model(s): Magicmoon brand filter only for 24 inch -diagonally measured - widescreen monitor - aspect ratio 16:9 - filter size: width: 20 15/16", Height: 11 13/16" (531mm x 298mm)
- Superior Privacy: The computer privacy filter makes the screen appear dark when looking at it from an angle (the angle is about 30 to 60 degree), but bright when looking directly at it. To change the privacy level - simply adjust your monitor’s brightness accordingly
- Eye and Screen Protection: Privacy Filter does not only protect your private life but also protects your eyes by blocking 30% of blue light , blocking the harmful blue light between 380 to 495 nm, it filters out the blue light and relieves eye strain
- Perfect For Open Workspaces: Great for maintaining screen privacy in open work spaces
- Includes Two Options: Option 1 uses clear adhesive strips that securely attach to any computer screen. Option 2 (for computer screens with a raised bezel only) uses slide mount tabs that easily stick to the display frame, allowing you to slide the privacy screen filter on and off as needed
- Data practices: Look for clear explanations of collection, use, sharing, retention, available customer choices, and safeguards. If an important point is unclear, ask the firm before providing information.
- Sign-in options: Check whether the brokerage supports multi-factor authentication (MFA), two-step verification, authenticator-app verification, or passkeys. Availability can vary by firm and device; do not assume a feature is offered because another brokerage has it.
- Alerts and recovery: Find out what alerts are available for sign-ins, profile changes, transfers, and transactions. Read how the firm verifies your identity and handles account recovery or suspected unauthorized access.
- Incident contact: Locate the current contact channels and escalation instructions for unauthorized access or transactions while you still have access to the account.
The SEC’s April 23, 2026 identity-theft alert says a brokerage or investment adviser “may offer (or require) a two-step verification process”; check the firm’s actual options rather than treating it as universal. See the SEC guidance on investment-account fraud and identity theft.
Secure the devices and apps you use
Brokerage protections are only part of the picture. The phone, computer, browser, email account, and cloud services you use can affect the privacy of account credentials and personal information. The SEC’s guidance on protecting online investment accounts recommends:
Rank #2
- 【Privacy Filter Dimensions】- Width: 20 15/16" (532 mm), Height: 11 13/16" (299 mm), Diagonal: 24" (609.6 mm) - SightPro Blackout Privacy Screen Filter is engineered to be compatible with HP, Dell, Samsung, Lenovo, LG, Acer, ASUS, ViewSonic, and other monitor brands. Please verify your computer screen's width and height measurements before ordering. It's not recommended to make your selection based solely on your computer screen's diagonal size.
- 【Two Attachment Options】- Installs in minutes. Option 1 uses clear adhesive strips that securely attach to any computer screen. Option 2 (for computer screens with a raised bezel only) uses slide mount tabs that easily stick to the display frame, allowing you to slide the privacy screen filter on and off as needed.
- 【Superior Privacy and Anti Glare】- Our advanced multi-layered film filter blacks out your computer screen when viewing from the side, while maintaining a crystal clear screen straight-on. It also protects your eyes from harmful glare, UV, and blue light. [Note: It does not block visibility directly behind you, regardless of the distance.]
- 【Perfect for Travel and Open Workspaces】- Our computer screen privacy filter is the ideal solution for healthcare providers, mobile workers, commuters, students, and business travelers. Now you can stay compliant and safeguard sensitive corporate information while working in airplanes, subways, airports and public areas.
- 【Package Contents】- Each package includes one privacy screen shield filter, two sets of clear adhesive strips, two sets of slide mount tabs, and a microfiber cleaning cloth. Buy with confidence – located in the US, Sight Pro specializes in providing best-in-class privacy solutions to individuals, small businesses, corporations, government, and educational institutions. Our privacy screens are Section 889 and TAA compliant.
- Keep your operating system, apps, and browser updated.
- Choose the least data sharing possible in app and browser privacy settings.
- Avoid automatically saving brokerage credentials in a browser or app.
- Secure mobile devices and take care with sensitive information stored in cloud services.
These are user-side safeguards. They do not establish or replace a brokerage’s own data practices.
Recommended Free Tools
Check the firm, representative, and account terms
Confirm the firm’s legal name and registration, and check any representative who will advise or serve you. The SEC recommends weighing services, product limitations, costs, compensation, conflicts of interest, and legal or disciplinary history—not just convenience or advertised features.
Rank #3
![[2 Pack] 24 Inch Computer Privacy Screen Filter for 16:9 Widescreen Monitor | Anti Glare, Anti Blue &UV Light, Anti Spy, Eye Protect, Protector, Film, Shield, Fit, Removable, Reusable, 9H, Black, Quality](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41SBKw3J4ML._SL160_.jpg)
- 【24 PRIVACY FILTER DIMENSIONS】 Width: 20 15/16" (20.9 inches/532 mm), Height: 11 13/16" (11.8 inches/299 mm) - 16:9 Aspect Ratio. Mamol computer privacy filters are designed to be perfectly compatible with HP, Samsung, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, Asus, LG, ViewSonic and other brands of monitors. Please check the width and height dimensions of your computer screen before ordering. If you have any questions about the dimensions, please contact us.
- 【ENHANCED PRIVACY PROTECTION】Mamol 24 inch computer privacy filter keeps your electronic information confidential, making it excellent for use in high traffic areas. the computer privacy screen 24 inch is designed with advanced microlouver technology to block visibility at around 30 degrees and black out screens completely near 60 degrees.
- 【EYES PROTECTION】 This blackout privacy screen greatly reduces eye strain and minimizes potential hazards to vision. It filters 99.9% of UV rays and suppresses 98% of blue light. As a reversible 24-inch privacy screen filter: The glossy side of the protector provides extra clarity and greater privacy, and the matte side minimizes glare and distracting reflections. Satisfy your different daily uses as needed.
- 【BETTER HD CLARTIY】Mamol 24 inch computer privacy screen Shield adds an extra layer of AR Ultra HD light transmission compared to others. It maintains the high definition of the screen without sacrificing too much screen brightness. It won't reduce the brightness and cause eye fatigue because of the privacy screen installed on the screen.
- 【ANTI SCRATCH & WASHABLE 】Our privacy anti-glare Monitor film has a surface enhancement layer to protect the privacy filter from scratches and fingerprints. It is washable and reusable. Even after prolonged use, you will get a brand new privacy screen for your desktop computer monitor after cleaning. Very Durable!
- Read the account agreement and relationship summary to understand the services, product limits, fees, compensation, and conflicts that apply.
- Use BrokerCheck to review the firm and representative. It is a free source for background information such as registration, work history, complaints, and certain disciplinary disclosures.
- Use the SEC’s broker-selection guidance and lookup tools as appropriate to check the firm’s background and registration.
A clean lookup is one diligence input, not a certification of cybersecurity or privacy practices.
Understand what SIPC protection does—and does not—cover
SIPC protection concerns customer property at a SIPC-member brokerage that fails; it is not cybersecurity insurance or protection against investment losses. Under the limits described in a June 7, 2023 SEC/SIPC bulletin, qualifying claims for missing customer securities and cash may be protected up to $500,000 per customer, including a $250,000 limit for cash claims. The limits apply to qualifying claims in a brokerage failure, not to every loss. SIPC does not cover a decline in investment value, and other kinds of loss may fall outside its protection. Read the SEC/SIPC explanation of SIPC protection.
Rank #4
- Privacy Screen Filter Size: If the visible area of your display has the following dimension: Width x Height (Exclude Frame/Arrow 1 to 3 mm errors): 20 15/16" x 11 13/16" (532 mm x 299 mm), then this filter is good for you. Very Important to double check your screen's Width and Height excluding frame before ordering. It's not recommended to make your selection based solely on your screen's diagonal size
- Left and Right Privacy: Not block visibility directly behind you, regardless of distance. The privacy filter makes the screen appear dark when looking at it from an angle (left and right 30 to 180 degree), but clear when looking directly at it. To change the privacy levels, simply adjust your monitor's brightness level accordingly
- Matte and Glossy Sides: It's a reversible privacy screen filter, giving you the flexibility to choose glossy or matte finish. The matte side will have less glare, however the glossy side will have stronger privacy
- Perfect for Open Workspaces: Ensure your working space is bright and well lit. Privacy screens do not work in dimly lit areas
- Two Installation Option: Option 1 uses clear double side adhesive strips that securely attach to any computer screen. Option 2 (for computer screens with a raised bezel only) uses slide mount tabs that easily stick to the display frame, allowing you to take out the privacy screen filter easily as needed
Find out which legal entity holds your account, whether it is a SIPC member, and how the firm handles uninvested cash. Cash may remain at the brokerage, be invested in a money-market fund, or be swept to a bank. A bank sweep may be subject to banking insurance rules rather than SIPC; check the account terms to establish where the cash is held and which protection regime applies.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Use a side-by-side checklist before deciding
For each brokerage under consideration, record what you verified and where you found it. If a detail is not stated clearly, ask the firm rather than infer an answer from a general security claim.
Best Value
- 【PRIVACY FILTER DIMENSIONS】- Width: 23 9/16" (598 mm), Height: 13 1/4" (337 mm), Diagonal: 27" (685.8 mm) - Peslv Dark 27 inch Privacy Screen Filter is engineered to be compatible with 27in Dell, HP, Samsung, Lenovo, LG, Acer, ASUS, Toshiba, ViewSonic, Aoc, Sceptre, PHILIPS, ViewSonic and other brands monitors with 16:9 aspect ratio. Please verify your computer screen's width and height measurements before ordering. It is not recommended to select a size based solely on the diagonal.
- 【HIGH-CLASS PRIVACY ABLE】Peslv collected suggestions from more than 2000 computer users and performed 22188 anti-peep angle corrections on the micro-blind optical technology to ensure that any line of sight beyond +-30° facing the screen will be shielded. With a Peslv computer privacy screen 27 inch, Protect the privacy of your computer monitor screen and no longer leak any confidential data.
- 【2 MOUNTING OPTIONS FOR EASY INSTALLATION】The Peslv 27 inch privacy screen for monitor supply 2 installation options, Various installation options, are Compatible with both 27" computer monitors with raised bezels and full-screen 27" computer monitors without raised bezels, and convenient installation allows you to complete the installation in 10 seconds. NOTE: Monitors without raised bezels are only available with mounting option 2.
- 【EXCLUSIVE DOUBLE-SIDED TECHNOLOGY】27-inch monitor privacy filter has a double-sided surface technology developed by Peslv. Matte or Glossy. With the matte surface facing outward, you can experience the advanced AG anti-glare technology from Germany while maintaining a 30-degree privacy angle, softening the strong light outdoors, and making the screen content clearly visible. With the glossy side facing outward, you can get a super anti-peeping effect with a privacy angle of 26 degrees.
- 【PROTECT SCREEN ALSO EYES】Filtering optical materials imported from Japan can reduce 92% of blue light and 98% of UV light, and filter all harmful light emitted from the screen to protect your eyes. The high-transparent and reinforced built-in protective layer not only presents high-definition picture quality but also protects your screen from scratches. Hurry up and place an order, own a privacy screen for a computer monitor 27 inch, and protect your monitor screen and your eyes.
| What to compare | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Identity and registration | Legal firm name, registration, representative registration, and relevant BrokerCheck or SEC lookup results. |
| Sign-in and recovery | Available MFA, authenticator-app verification or passkey options, account alerts, and documented recovery steps. |
| Data practices | Privacy-notice details about collection, use, sharing, retention, customer choices, and safeguards. |
| Terms and service | Account agreement and relationship summary; services, product limits, costs, compensation, and conflicts. |
| Custody and cash | SIPC-member legal entity, clearing arrangement, where idle cash is held, and which protection regime applies. |
| Incident response | Current contact channels, escalation procedures, instructions for unauthorized activity, and how to monitor transactions. |
Do not label a brokerage “the safest” based on one security feature, a marketing statement, a clean BrokerCheck result, or SIPC membership. The SEC’s materials provide due-diligence criteria and protective practices, not comparative cybersecurity audits of named firms. Firm features, disclosures, registrations, cash arrangements, and recovery procedures can change, so verify current information before opening or moving an account.
What to do if your information or account may be compromised
Act promptly if you suspect someone has accessed your information or account. The SEC advises contacting the brokerage and other affected financial institutions immediately, changing compromised passwords or passphrases, enabling MFA when available, and monitoring account details and transactions.
- Contact the firm using a verified channel and follow its instructions for securing the account.
- Ask whether to close the compromised account and move assets to a new one if there was unauthorized access.
- Review account details and transactions, and report mistakes or unauthorized transactions in writing.
- Keep written records of reports and communications.
See the SEC’s identity-theft guidance for investment accounts for additional steps.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
