Aura Identity Theft Protection Review
Aura has been protecting individuals and families from cybercrime since 2019. Founding company Intersections Inc. has been enhancing online security since 1996 with Identity Guard and other services. Aura’s features set the company apart from others in the industry by combining:
- Malware, ransomware, virus and other internet threat protection
- Easy-to-navigate online and mobile apps
- Protection from financial account hacking with credit monitoring
- Virtual private network (VPN) protection
Aura’s highly-trained 24/7 customer support agents are based in the U.S. All plans include $1 million insurance to cover costs should identity theft occur and an agent to assist with recovery.
Pros
- Eliminates the need to buy, set up and maintain multiple layers of security
- 24/7 customer support
- Up to 10 members on family plans, including child members*
- Install on Windows, Android and iOS devices
- Financial account activity and other alerts on your smartphone
Cons
- iOS antivirus is in development (available for Windows, Mac and Android)
Aura’s Combined Digital Security Solution
Identity theft grew more than 230% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2021. Around 350,000 new malware programs are discovered each day. Each week in 2020, experts identified 46,000 phishing and scam sites. Criminals use various methods such as synthetic identity theft to gain access to financial accounts or create new accounts with your information.
To combat these threats, the FTC recommends you install credit monitoring, identity theft prevention and identity recovery solutions on all devices. You’ll need to buy identity theft insurance, too. Some banks may offer identity theft insurance, but Aura combines all these services with a VPN for an additional layer of security. Accessing all these services in one place simplifies online safety and protects the entire family.
We provide a breakdown of Aura’s protections and explain each membership level below. We’ve noted features requiring an upgrade to the Ultimate plan.
Aura Identity Theft Protection
Aura’s eight identity theft features monitor online records to find your information in suspicious circumstances. You’ll receive an alert if your information might have been leaked or are attempting to use your data for financial transactions. Aura says its alerts are up to four times faster than other identity theft services.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Online account monitoring | Alerts you if someone has tried to hack into your accounts so you can change passwords or close the account. |
| Personal information and SSN monitoring | Know if someone uses your Social Security, passport or other ID numbers. Data breach and on the Dark Web alerts. |
| Identity verification monitoring | Notifies you if your SSN is used for individual transactions, like payday loans or wire transfers. |
| Lost wallet remediation | Contact support if you lose your wallet for help with securing ID cards, credit cards and bank accounts. |
| Criminal and court records monitoring | Detects if someone uses your identifying information when charged with a crime. (Ultimate) |
| Home title and address monitoring | Receive an alert if someone files a USPS change of address form or tries to steal your home title. (Ultimate) |
| $1 million insurance** | Covers losses and fees associated with identity theft and fraud. Includes lost wages, travel expenses, CPA fees, child care and more. |
| Password manager | Store passwords securely with easy access. Available for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android and iOS. |
Aura Financial Fraud Protection
Aura’s Total and Ultimate plans include financial fraud and credit monitoring. The features are decent, but you can only use the credit lock for Experian. To prevent anyone from accessing all credit files, you’ll have to freeze your credit with TransUnion and Equifax. However, Aura monitors all three credit bureaus and notifies you of activity on your accounts.
| Credit monitoring | Be alerted of Experian, Equifax or TransUnion inquiries. |
| Credit lock | Lock and unlock your Experian credit file as needed to prevent fraud. |
| Financial fraud monitoring | Spending activity alerts for credit cards, banking and investment accounts. You determine spending level to trigger an alert. |
| Bank account monitoring | Notifies you if someone tries to remove your name from an account or add a new account holder./td> |
| Investment account monitoring | Receive an alert if your 401(k) or other investment account information is posted on the Dark Web. (Ultimate) |
| Annual credit reports | View credit report from the three major credit bureaus. (Ultimate) |
Aura Device and Network Protection
We chose to include Aura in our best identity theft prevention guide because it provides a VPN. Wi-Fi Security VPN allows you to securely shop, stream and bank online wherever you go. Military-grade encryption protects Mac, Windows, iOS and Android devices. Wi-Fi Security VPN also stops you from entering scams and phishing sites that steal personal or financial information.
The antivirus software automatically detects malware, viruses, ransomware, trojans, and more. Antivirus protection is available for Windows, Mac and Android devices. The Aura team is actively working on virus protection for iOS. You’ll need a Family plan to extend the antivirus protection to minors.
Aura’s Basic plan provides the VPN and antivirus on one device. The Total plan protects up to five devices, and the Family plan allows you to install Aura on 10 devices.
Aura Membership Plan Prices
You can sign up for an Aura Membership plan on the website, or take advantage of our discount offer on this page. Basic is best for those who only want antivirus protection. We recommend the Total plan to get financial fraud protection or the Ultimate plan for full coverage.
Aura offers a monthly or annual subscription. If you divide the cost of the yearly plans by 12 months, you save $2 to $11 per month. Annual plans also come with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
You can start with a monthly plan to try Aura, then upgrade to a more cost-effective annual plan later. Use our discount offer for up to 17% to 40% off your membership.
| Plan Level | Individual (1 adult) | Family (up to 10 people) | ||
| Basic | $8 per month | $96 per year | $14 per month | $168 per year |
| Total | $17 per month | $204 per year | $23 per month | $276 per year |
| Basic | $24 per month | $288 per year | $30 per month | $360 per year |
Aura Digital Security Complaints
Aura’s Trustpilot score is 4.3 out of 5, and currently, the average for consumer reviews is 5 out of 5 stars. Forbes says Aura is “a critical tool in protecting personal and financial assets for many.” The company gets a 9 out of 10 from SafeHome.com and 9.8 out of 10 from Top10.com.
Aura gets an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. There are some negative reviews on the BBB site, but all appear to have been answered or resolved. Complaints we read generally involved confusion over billing or cancellation, not Aura’s effectiveness or features.
Aura FAQ
-
How does Aura protect my information?
Aura protects your account with the same secure encryption banks and U.S. military use. You connect your financial accounts to Aura using Plaid, an ultra-secure data transfer network respected across the financial technology industry. -
Does Aura offer a refund if I cancel my plan?
If you purchase an annual plan and decide to cancel within 60 days, Aura will refund your entire membership fee. While you can cancel online, you should call Aura to request a refund.There are no refunds for annual plans after 60 days or for canceling a monthly plan. However, protection continues for the time remaining on your plan.
-
Why do I need Aura’s VPN?
A VPN is a virtual private network that provides an encrypted connection when you’re online. Aura’s VPN ensures criminals can’t access your personal information while transmitted via the internet. VPNs are especially crucial when working on a public network, such as in a coffee shop or an airport. -
Does Aura include parental controls?
Aura is integrating Circle parental controls technology into its all-in-one platform. This feature includes website filtering, internet and screen time limits, internet usage monitoring and mobile device location tracking. -
Does Aura guarantee identity theft protection?
No identity theft or online security service can 100% guarantee you’ll not fall victim to identity theft or another cybercrime. However, Aura should keep your information safe when used consistently.If your identity is stolen, an agent will help you recover your accounts. All Aura plans include a $1 million insurance policy to pay expenses.
Conclusion
Aura costs a bit more than antivirus and identity theft software, but you get all-in-one digital security with a VPN. We like that you manage all features on the Aura dashboard anywhere you go, and the U.S.-based trained support agents. Aura’s design is easy to use, responsive and utilizes the latest technology.