Aura - Detailed Review
Privacy Tools
Aura - Product Overview
Aura is a comprehensive digital security and identity protection service that offers a wide range of features to safeguard your personal and financial information. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:
Primary Function
Aura’s primary function is to protect users from identity theft, financial fraud, and various cyber threats. It achieves this by continuously monitoring personal and financial data, detecting suspicious activity, and providing tools to enhance online security.Target Audience
Aura is designed for individuals and families who are concerned about their digital security and identity protection. This includes anyone who uses the internet, has financial accounts, or wants to ensure their personal information is secure. It is particularly beneficial for parents who want to protect their children’s identities as well.Key Features
Identity Theft Protection
Aura monitors your personal information, including your Social Security number, credit reports, bank accounts, investment accounts, and home and vehicle titles. It scans data broker lists, public records, the open internet, and the dark web for any signs of your sensitive information being compromised.Credit and Financial Monitoring
Aura provides real-time monitoring of your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian). It also tracks your financial accounts and alerts you to any unusual transactions or spending limits exceeded.Cybersecurity Tools
Aura includes a suite of cybersecurity tools such as a virtual private network (VPN) for secure browsing, antivirus software to protect against viruses and malware, and an ad and tracker blocker to enhance privacy. It also offers a password manager to generate and store strong credentials.Alerts and Notifications
Aura sends alerts via telephone, text, email, or WhatsApp if it detects any suspicious activity involving your personal information. These alerts are prompt and accurate, with fewer false positives compared to traditional credit card and bank alerts.Family Protection
For family plans, Aura offers additional features such as monitoring children’s Social Security numbers, alerts for known sex offenders in your area, and protection against cyberbullying in online gaming.Identity Restoration
In the event of identity theft, Aura provides expert identity restoration assistance. This includes dedicated specialists who help users reclaim their identity, dispute fraudulent charges, and work with financial institutions and government agencies.User-Friendly Interface
Aura is designed with ease of use in mind, featuring a user-friendly interface and straightforward setup. The intuitive dashboard allows users to easily monitor their identity, view alerts, and take proactive steps to enhance their security. By combining these features, Aura offers a comprehensive solution for protecting your identity and maintaining your online safety. Aura - User Interface and Experience
User Interface of Aura
The user interface of Aura, particularly in its privacy tools and AI-driven product category, is designed with a focus on ease of use and a user-friendly experience.
Ease of Use
Aura’s interface is intuitive and accessible to users of all tech levels. The setup process, although it may require some time and effort, is straightforward. Users can easily monitor their identity, view alerts, and take proactive steps to enhance their security through a centralized dashboard. This dashboard provides a clear and organized overview of all security-related information, making it simple for users to stay informed and in control.
User Interface
The interface is clean and easy to navigate, with clear categories and sections that help users find the information they need quickly. For example, users can easily access credit monitoring, dark web surveillance, and personal information alerts from the main dashboard. The mobile app and web interface are both designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that users can manage their security settings and receive alerts seamlessly across different devices.
Alerts and Notifications
Aura ensures that users are promptly notified of any suspicious activity through multiple communication channels, including email, text messages, and notifications via the mobile app. These alerts are detailed and include information about the detected threat and recommended actions to address it, making it easy for users to take immediate action to secure their accounts and prevent further misuse.
Customization
Users have the ability to customize their monitoring preferences and control how alerts are delivered. This customization allows users to focus on specific areas of concern, enhancing their overall security experience. Additionally, features like password management, VPN services, and ad-blocking technology can be easily managed through the interface, giving users greater control over their online privacy and security.
Additional Features
Aura’s interface also integrates various additional features such as parental control software, data removal services, and antivirus software. While activating each of these features may require some initial setup, the process is guided, and the benefits are clear. For instance, the parental control features use a local VPN to apply content blocking and time limits, which can be managed easily through the interface.
Customer Support
Aura provides 24/7 customer support via phone and live chat, which is accessible directly from the interface. This support is crucial for addressing any concerns or questions users may have about their accounts, billing, or identity restoration, further enhancing the overall user experience.
Conclusion
In summary, Aura’s user interface is designed to be intuitive, easy to use, and highly customizable, making it a comprehensive and user-friendly solution for digital and cybersecurity needs.
Aura - Key Features and Functionality
Aura: Advanced Identity and Cyber Protection Service
Aura offers a comprehensive suite of features that leverage AI and other technologies to safeguard your personal information, financial assets, and online activities. Here are the key features and how they work:
Identity Monitoring
Aura continuously monitors your personal data, including your Social Security number, credit reports, bank and investment accounts, home and auto titles, and other sensitive information. It scans both the regular web and the dark web for any signs of identity theft or data breaches, sending alerts if your information is found in suspicious contexts.
AI-Driven Spam Call and Message Protection
Aura uses AI to screen your calls and messages, filtering out spam and forwarding only legitimate communications to your phone. This feature requires the Aura mobile app and integrates with your mobile carrier to ensure spam calls and messages are blocked effectively.
Safe Browsing and Phishing Protection
The Safe Browsing feature, available through a browser extension, protects against scams and phishing attacks by alerting you to malicious websites and blocking them to prevent malware downloads. This ensures a safer browsing experience.
VPN and Internet Security
Aura includes a VPN service that encrypts your internet activity, allowing you to shop, bank, and work online securely. The VPN also blocks known scam and phishing sites, providing an additional layer of protection. With over 100 virtual locations, you can access global content safely.
Antivirus and Malware Protection
Aura offers antivirus software that protects your devices from various types of malware, including viruses, spyware, ransomware, and more. This real-time protection scans every new file added to your device to ensure it is safe.
Password Management
The password manager feature generates and stores strong, unique passwords for all your accounts. It also alerts you if any of your passwords have been part of a data breach, ensuring you can take immediate action to secure your accounts.
Data Broker Deletion
Aura helps remove your personal information from data brokers and people search sites, reducing the risk of your data being sold to identity thieves or scammers. This service keeps your personal info safe and reduces spam.
Family Protection
For family plans, Aura offers additional features such as:
Child SSN Monitoring
Alerts if any of your children’s Social Security numbers are used unknowingly.
Family Fraud Alerts
Alerts for threats affecting all family members.
Safe Gaming
24/7 in-game voice and text monitoring for popular PC games to protect against cyberbullying and online predators.
Parental Controls
Filters harmful sites and manages screen time for apps like YouTube, Roblox, and Snapchat, powered by Circle technology.
Identity Restoration Assistance
If your identity is compromised, Aura provides expert assistance to help recover your identity. This includes dedicated specialists who guide you through the process of disputing fraudulent charges and working with financial institutions and government agencies.
Encrypted Vault Storage
Aura’s Vault offers 1 GB of cloud storage per adult for important documents, passwords, and other sensitive data, all protected with military-grade encryption. This serves as a secure digital lockbox for your critical files.
Financial Monitoring
Aura monitors your financial accounts and sets spending limits. If a transaction exceeds the set limit or falls outside your normal spending habits, you receive an alert, allowing you to review and potentially stop the transaction.
Each of these features is integrated with AI to enhance their effectiveness. For example, the AI assistant in the spam call and message protection analyzes call and message details to filter out spam. The AI in the financial monitoring observes your spending habits to detect unusual transactions. These AI-driven tools work together to provide a comprehensive and proactive approach to protecting your identity and online security.
Aura - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
Aura’s performance is generally strong, particularly in its identity theft protection features. Here are some highlights:
- Speed and Accuracy: Aura’s system, powered by proprietary AI and human intervention, is praised for its swift and accurate alerts on suspicious transactions and data breaches. It continuously scans various sources, including the open internet, credit reporting bureaus, public records, and the dark web, to detect any misuse of your personal information.
- Comprehensive Monitoring: Aura monitors a wide range of data points, such as Social Security numbers, online accounts, home and auto titles, and criminal and court records. This comprehensive approach helps in identifying potential threats quickly.
Accuracy
The accuracy of Aura’s tools is a significant strength:
- AI-Powered Detection: Aura’s AI technology recognizes trends, patterns, and behaviors to take proactive action against emerging threats. This proactive approach helps in identifying and mitigating risks before they become major issues.
- Low False Positives: The system is noted for having fewer false positives compared to other services, such as those from credit card companies and banks. This reduces unnecessary alarms and enhances the overall user experience.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While Aura performs well in many areas, there are some limitations and areas where it could improve:
- User Interface: Some users find the dashboard difficult to navigate, which can make it hard to view key features and alerts easily.
- App Performance: There have been complaints about poor app performance and issues connecting to the VPN, especially on public Wi-Fi.
- Social Media Monitoring: Aura does not directly monitor social media accounts for identity threats, which is a feature offered by some competitors.
- Direct USPS Address Change Monitoring: Aura does not provide direct monitoring for USPS address changes, which could delay the detection of postal mail theft.
- Resource Intensive: The real-time malware protection can be resource-intensive, which might affect device performance.
Additional Considerations
- Customer Support: Despite some technical challenges, Aura’s customer support is highly praised for its 24/7 availability and professional assistance, which is crucial for resolving identity theft issues quickly.
- Insurance Coverage: Aura offers comprehensive identity theft protection insurance, which includes reimbursement of stolen funds, personal expense compensation, and legal fees, providing significant financial protection.
Overall, Aura’s performance and accuracy in the privacy tools AI-driven product category are strong, with a comprehensive set of features and swift, accurate alerts. However, there are areas such as user interface, app performance, and specific monitoring capabilities where improvements could be made.
Aura - Pricing and Plans
Plans and Pricing
Individual Plan
- Introductory Cost: $15.00/month or $144.00/year
- Full Cost: $24.00/month or $215.78/year
- Benefits:
- Coverage for 1 adult and 10 devices
- $1 million identity theft insurance
- Identity theft protection (account breach alerts, SSN and personal info dark web alerts, etc.)
- Financial fraud protection (three-bureau credit monitoring, instant credit lock, etc.)
- Online privacy and security tools (antivirus, antimalware, VPN, password manager, etc.)
Couple Plan
- Introductory Cost: $29.00/month or $264.00/year
- Full Cost: $48.00/month or $345.41/year
- Benefits:
- Coverage for 2 adults and 20 devices
- Up to $2 million identity theft insurance ($1 million for each adult)
- Same identity theft protection, financial fraud protection, and online privacy and security tools as the Individual Plan.
Family Plan
- Introductory Cost: $50.00/month or $384.00/year
- Full Cost: $80.00/month or $419.83/year
- Benefits:
- Coverage for 5 adults, unlimited kids, and unlimited devices
- Up to $5 million identity theft insurance ($1 million for each adult)
- Additional features include child identity theft coverage, AI spam call and message protection, content filtering, site blocking, screen time limits, online history and usage reports, and cyberbullying alerts.
Common Features Across All Plans
- Identity Theft Protection: Account breach alerts, SSN and personal info dark web alerts, home and auto title fraud alerts, stolen identity alerts, and U.S.-based expert fraud remediation.
- Financial Fraud Protection: Three-bureau credit monitoring, instant credit lock, bank fraud monitoring, financial transaction monitoring, monthly credit score, and annual credit reports.
- Online Privacy and Security: People search sites and junk mail removal, antivirus and antimalware, VPN with military-grade encryption, safe browsing, and a password manager.
Free Options
Aura offers a 14-day free trial for all its plans, allowing you to test the services before committing to a subscription. Additionally, there is a 60-day money-back guarantee for annual plans purchased through their website or customer support team.
Aura - Integration and Compatibility
Aura’s Privacy and Security Tools
Aura’s privacy and security tools are designed to integrate seamlessly with various devices and platforms, ensuring comprehensive protection for your digital life.Device Compatibility
Aura’s Password Manager is compatible with a range of devices and operating systems. You can use it on iOS and Android devices through the Aura mobile app.Desktop Access
There are no desktop apps for Windows or macOS, but you can access the password manager through browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.Browser Extensions
The Aura Password Manager is available as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. This allows you to automatically save passwords, generate secure passwords, and sync your login information across all your devices.Syncing Capabilities
Passwords saved or edited on any platform or browser are synced across all supported devices, including desktops, tablets, and mobile devices. This ensures you have access to your login information wherever you need it.Importing Passwords
You can import your existing login information from other password managers or web browsers by exporting them as a CSV file and then importing the file into Aura. This supports imports from Chrome, Firefox, and other password managers like NordPass.Additional Features and Integrations
Aura also integrates with other features within its ecosystem, such as identity theft protection and credit monitoring, which are part of its broader security plans. However, you can opt for a stand-alone password manager subscription if you don’t need these additional features.Parental Controls
For families, Aura offers Parental Controls, which are available on iOS and Android devices running iOS 13 and Android 9 .Conclusion
In summary, Aura’s tools are well-integrated across various devices and browsers, providing a cohesive and secure experience for managing your digital life. Aura - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support
Aura offers 24/7/365 customer support, ensuring that users can get help at any time. You can contact Aura’s customer service team via phone at 1-844-931-2872 or through their online contact form. This support is crucial for addressing any issues related to account setup, technical problems, or billing inquiries.
Identity Restoration Assistance
In the event of identity theft, Aura provides expert identity restoration assistance. This includes access to dedicated specialists who guide users through the process of reclaiming their identity, disputing fraudulent charges, and working with financial institutions and government agencies. This hands-on support helps minimize the stress and confusion associated with identity theft.
Alerts and Notifications
Aura promptly notifies users of any suspicious activity through multiple communication channels, including email, text messages, and notifications via the mobile app. These alerts contain detailed information about the detected threat and recommended actions to address it, such as freezing credit or securing compromised accounts.
Additional Resources
Monitoring Services
Aura continuously scans various data sources, including credit bureaus, financial accounts, public records, and the dark web, to identify potential threats. Users can customize their monitoring preferences to focus on specific areas of concern.
Privacy and Security Tools
Aura offers a suite of tools including a VPN to encrypt internet activity, a password manager to generate and store strong credentials, ad-blocking technology to prevent online tracking, and antivirus software to protect devices from viruses and malware.
Data Removal Services
Aura helps users opt out of data broker websites that collect and sell personal information, reducing spam like robocalls and robotexts.
Smart Vault
An encrypted file storage that allows users to store sensitive and important files securely and share them with trusted contacts. Each adult member of all Aura plans gets 1 GB of secure storage.
User Interface and Accessibility
Aura’s user-friendly interface and straightforward setup make it accessible to users of all tech levels. The intuitive dashboard provides a centralized location for all security-related information, making it simple to stay informed and in control.
By providing these extensive support options and resources, Aura ensures that users have the tools and assistance they need to protect their identity and maintain their digital security effectively.
Aura - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Aura
Aura offers a comprehensive set of features that make it a strong choice for identity theft protection and digital security:Comprehensive Monitoring
Aura continuously scans a wide range of data sources, including the open internet, dark web, credit reporting bureaus, public records, and financial accounts, to monitor your personal and financial information. This includes your Social Security number, online accounts, home and auto titles, and other sensitive data.Advanced Alerts and Notifications
Aura provides fast and accurate alerts via telephone, text, email, or WhatsApp if it detects any suspicious activity, such as unauthorized credit inquiries, data breaches, or fraudulent use of your information.Additional Security Tools
Aura goes beyond traditional identity protection by offering a suite of privacy and security tools, including a VPN to encrypt internet activity, password management to secure login credentials, ad-blocking technology to prevent online tracking, and antivirus software to protect your devices from malware.Identity Restoration Assistance
In the event of identity theft, Aura provides expert assistance to help recover lost assets and restore your reputation. This includes access to dedicated specialists who guide you through the process of reporting losses, disputing fraudulent charges, and working with financial institutions and government agencies.Strong Insurance Coverage
Aura offers comprehensive identity theft protection insurance, with coverage up to $1,000,000 for adults and up to $5,000,000 for family plans. This includes reimbursement of stolen funds, personal expense compensation, and legal fees for resolving identity theft issues.User-Friendly Interface and Accessibility
Despite some minor issues, Aura’s interface is generally user-friendly and accessible to users of all tech levels. The setup is straightforward, and the intuitive dashboard provides a centralized location for all security-related information.24/7 Customer Support
Aura provides 24/7 US-based customer support, which is crucial for addressing identity theft issues promptly. Users are generally very satisfied with the support team’s fast, professional, and helpful responses.Disadvantages of Aura
While Aura offers a wide range of benefits, there are some drawbacks to consider:No Social Media Monitoring
Aura does not directly monitor social media accounts for identity threats, which is a feature offered by some competitors.Limited USPS Address Change Monitoring
Aura does not provide direct USPS address change monitoring, which could delay the discovery of postal mail theft compared to some other services.User Interface Challenges
Some users find Aura’s dashboard difficult to navigate, particularly in accessing key features like alerts and identity monitoring. Additionally, some features require different apps, which can add to the complexity.Technical Issues
Users have reported poor app performance and difficulties connecting to the VPN, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.Cancellation Policy
Annual plans canceled after the 60-day trial do not offer a refund for the yearly subscription.Limited Specialized Monitoring
Aura does not offer monitoring for medical data reports or utility alerts, which might be important for some users.No Cheaper Options
Aura does not provide lighter versions of its service at a lower cost; the cheapest plan starts at around $10 per month. By weighing these advantages and disadvantages, you can make an informed decision about whether Aura’s identity theft protection and digital security features align with your needs. Aura - Comparison with Competitors
When Comparing Aura with Other Products
When comparing Aura with other products in the privacy tools and AI-driven identity protection category, several key features and differences stand out.
Unique Features of Aura
- Comprehensive Monitoring: Aura offers extensive monitoring of personal and financial data, including credit reports, bank accounts, investment accounts, and titles for homes and vehicles. It also monitors the dark web and public records for any suspicious activity involving your Social Security number, phone number, passwords, and other personal data.
- Digital Security Tools: Aura includes a range of digital security tools such as a VPN to encrypt internet activity, a password manager to secure login credentials, ad-blocking technology to prevent online tracking, and antivirus software to protect devices from viruses and malware.
- Identity Restoration Assistance: In the event of identity theft, Aura provides expert identity restoration assistance, including access to dedicated specialists who help users recover lost assets and restore their reputation.
- Family Plans: Aura offers robust family plans that cover up to five adults and an unlimited number of children, including parental controls and child identity monitoring.
Comparison with LifeLock
- Simplicity and Feature Consistency: Unlike LifeLock, which offers a range of plans with varying levels of protection, Aura provides the same high level of protective features across all its plans. This includes three-bureau credit monitoring, digital security tools, and 24/7 U.S.-based support. However, Aura’s plans are generally more expensive than LifeLock’s basic plans.
- Family Safety: Aura places a special focus on family safety with more comprehensive family plans, including parental controls and child identity monitoring.
Alternatives and Similar Products
Securiti AI
- Data Governance and Compliance: Securiti AI is more focused on businesses, offering a comprehensive data governance and security platform. It automates compliance tasks, such as DSARs and consent management, and provides AI-driven insights into data usage patterns. While it is not a direct consumer-focused alternative to Aura, it offers advanced features for businesses managing large datasets.
- Zero-Trust Access Controls: Securiti AI includes zero-trust access controls for secure data sharing, which is not a primary feature of Aura’s consumer-oriented service.
Protecto
- AI-Driven Privacy Protection: Protecto is an AI-driven data privacy platform primarily designed for protecting sensitive information in AI applications. It specializes in detecting PII, PHI, and PCI across large datasets and ensures compliance with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA. This platform is more suited for companies rather than individual consumers.
Key Differences and Considerations
- Target Audience: Aura is primarily aimed at individual consumers and families, offering a user-friendly interface and comprehensive identity and digital security features. In contrast, platforms like Securiti AI and Protecto are more geared towards businesses and enterprises.
- Customization: Aura does not allow users to pick and choose features; all plans include the same set of features with limited add-ons. This can be a drawback for users who prefer more flexibility in their identity protection services.
- Cost and Insurance: Aura provides $1 million insurance coverage against eligible out-of-pocket expenses and stolen funds due to identity theft, but its plans are generally more expensive than some competitors’ basic offerings.
In summary, while Aura stands out for its comprehensive and user-friendly identity protection and digital security features, alternatives like Securiti AI and Protecto offer more specialized solutions for businesses and enterprises, focusing on data governance, compliance, and AI-driven security.
Aura - Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Aura’s identity theft protection and online security features, along with detailed responses:
What does Aura protect against?
Aura protects a wide range of personal information and offers tools to prevent various types of identity theft and cybercrime. This includes monitoring for personal details found on the dark web, spam calls and messages, lost wallet incidents, home title theft, child identity theft, and malware threats. It also monitors your credit reports, online accounts, and financial transactions for suspicious activity.How does Aura monitor my personal information?
Aura continuously scans the open internet, credit reporting bureaus, public records, data brokers, and the dark web for your sensitive information. It uses AI-powered hardware and software, along with human intervention when breaches occur, to alert you quickly and accurately about any suspicious activity involving your personal data, such as new accounts or credit applications using your Social Security Number (SSN) or evidence of your SSN being bought or sold on the dark web.What additional security tools does Aura offer?
Aura provides a range of additional security tools, including a Virtual Private Network (VPN) with military-grade encryption, antivirus protection to safeguard against viruses, spyware, and ransomware, and a password manager to securely store and access your online passwords. It also includes Safe Browsing features to protect against scams and phishing attacks, and encrypted vault storage for your important documents and passwords.How does Aura handle spam calls and messages?
Aura uses AI to scan your unknown calls and messages before they reach your phone. It forwards only legitimate calls and texts to you while filtering out known spammers using an industry-leading spam list. For iOS and Android devices, Aura can dump spam messages into your junk folder and screen calls to reduce unwanted communications.Can Aura help protect my family, especially my children?
Yes, Aura offers several features to protect your family. The Family plan includes child SSN monitoring, alerts for sex offenders living near your address, and Safe Gaming alerts to protect your children from cyberbullying and online threats while playing games. It also allows you to manage your children’s online time and filter harmful sites using technology powered by Circle.How does Aura’s data removal service work?
Aura helps remove your personal information from data brokers and people search sites that can sell your info to identity thieves and scammers. This service is part of its broader effort to protect your data and reduce spam, ensuring your personal information is not easily accessible to malicious actors.What is the Vault feature in Aura?
The Vault is a digital lockbox that provides military-grade encryption to protect your sensitive digital files and passwords. You can store important documents, passwords, and other data securely, and it also allows you to add information to monitor for fraud. Each adult on the plan gets 1 GB of cloud storage.How does Aura’s credit monitoring work?
Aura monitors your credit reports and alerts you if there are any changes or suspicious activities, such as someone trying to open credit cards or loans in your name. You can instantly lock your Experian credit file with a single tap if you suspect fraud. Aura also monitors spending limits on your linked financial accounts and alerts you to transactions that exceed these limits or fall outside your normal spending habits.Is my data secure with Aura?
Aura takes data security very seriously. It does not sell your data and keeps your personal information secure in compliance with applicable laws, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and US state-level laws. Aura’s processes are regularly audited to ensure they adhere to these principles.How does Aura’s AI-powered call and message screening work?
Aura’s AI assistant screens your calls and messages to filter out spam. For calls, it uses an industry-leading spam list to identify known spammers and only forwards legitimate calls to you. For messages, it dumps spam into your junk folder. You may need to adjust your mobile carrier settings and complete a few tests to ensure everything is configured properly.Can I manage my children’s online activities with Aura?
Yes, Aura’s Family plan includes features to help you manage your children’s online activities. You can filter harmful sites, manage the time they spend on apps like YouTube, Roblox, and Snapchat, and receive alerts for cyberbullying, online predators, and toxic gaming behavior through its in-game monitoring for over 200 popular PC games.