How much does Online Security really cost? A Complete review.

In today’s digital world, protecting your identity, devices and privacy isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Whether you’re banking, streaming, working from home or simply social-scrolling while connected to public Wi-Fi, risks abound. In this blog, we’ll walk through how much online protection really costs, what you get for your money, and how to decide which tier makes sense for your lifestyle. We’ll draw on pricing and features offered by TELUS’s online security plans as a benchmark, but rest assured, you’ll get broader insights that apply across providers.

Let’s dive in.

Why invest in online protection now?

The rising cost of digital risk

• Across Canada, fraud losses continue to climb. For example, the provider reports that Canadians lost hundreds of millions of dollars in online fraud incidents.
• The threats are not limited to “just malware on your PC”, identity theft, dark-web leaks, phishing scams, social media account hijacks, stolen credentials, and stolen-funds cases are all part of the “digital risk bouquet”.
• When something goes wrong, the real cost isn’t only money, it’s time, stress, potential legal help, and maybe your credit rating.

What you’re paying for

When you sign up for an all-in-one security/identity protection subscription, you’re typically paying for three broad categories:

1. Prevention – antivirus/malware protection, secure VPN, browser protection, password manager.
2. Detection – dark web monitoring, social-media monitoring, credit‐file alerts, suspicious-activity flags.
3. Recovery / Insurance – identity restoration support, stolen-funds reimbursement, legal/experts coverage.

Understanding this breakdown helps you evaluate whether a given cost makes sense.

Benchmark pricing in 2025

Here’s a look at what current plans (specifically from TELUS Custom Cellular) cost and what they include, so you have a reference. 

Tier-by‐tier summary

Standard tier

• ~$12/month for the lowest tier.
• Covers device security + VPN for around 3 devices; credit monitoring and dark-web monitoring features included.
• Identity theft reimbursement coverage up to about $25,000. 

Complete tier

• ~$15/month (promotional or bundled discount) with typical regular pricing ~ $20/month.
• Covers up to ~10 devices; adds social media monitoring, broader device coverage, increased reimbursement up to ~$100,000.
• Stolen-funds reimbursement in some cases (e.g., up to $25,000) included in higher tier.

Ultimate tier

• ~$20/month (promotional) with regular price ~ $30/month in some cases.
• Covers up to ~20 devices; monitors credit, bank/investment accounts; identity theft reimbursement coverage up to $1 million.

Qualified TELUS EPP, Exclusive Partners Program customers can bundle this while placing an order on the Custom Cellular TELUS EPP website. 

What does this mean for the year

• The entry-level price has hovered around the low teens per month in Canada.
• The mid-tier (~10 devices) has become more common and affordable.
• The top tier with “mega coverage” (20 devices + $1 M reimbursement) remains a premium.
• On a yearly basis: ~$144/year for entry level, ~$180-240 for mid-tier, ~$240-360+ for top tier.
• Consider how many devices you need protected, how many family members, whether you want bank/investment monitoring, and what “worst-case” coverage you would feel comfortable with.

How to pick the right cost-level for you

Step-by-step decision guide

1. Count your devices – How many devices do you (and your family) use? Phones, tablets, laptops, desktops. If you have 1-3 devices only, the entry tier may suffice.
2. Assess risk exposure – Do you frequently use public Wi-Fi? Travel often? Bank online? Have many social media accounts? More exposure,  higher tier makes sense.
3. Check coverage needs – If identity theft happens, what are you most worried about? Legal fees? Lost funds? Credit damage? Choose the tier that gives reimbursement that feels “right” for you.
4. Consider budget vs value – A $10–20/month subscription is roughly the cost of one meal out per month. If it prevents even one incident, it can pay for itself.
5. Read the fine print – For example, the provider states that no one can prevent all cybercrime or identity theft. Activation through the partner (e.g., Norton) is required. Some features may not be available on all devices or operating systems.
6. Review bundled discounts – If you already have other services (e.g., mobile or home services) you may get a discount for bundling. For example, one plan includes a $5/month discount for 24 months for a mid-tier.

What you’re not paying for

• You’re not paying for hardware (in this case). It’s a software + monitoring + service bundle.
• You’re not paying in advance for “we guarantee no hack ever”, it’s about mitigation, detection and response.
• You’re not buying unlimited legal coverage beyond the reimbursement cap , always check policy details.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is online security worth the money?

Yes, if you value preventing or limiting the damage of an identity/property/credit theft event. For many people, the cost is relatively small compared to the potential cost of doing nothing.
If your risk profile is very low (one device, rarely online, minimal personal information stored), you might choose a lighter solution, but that’s the exception.

Will I get hacked if I don’t buy it?

Not necessarily. But you may increase your risk. The service helps reduce risk, alert you early, and provide recovery support. Having none of these means you may be on your own if something happens.

How many devices should I cover?

Cover all devices you regularly use for sensitive tasks (banking, email, personal details). If you have 1-3 devices, entry-level works; if you have a family with 5-10+ devices, go for mid or top tier.

What about alternative/cheaper services?

There are cheaper or free antivirus/VPN/monitoring tools. The difference is usually in: number of devices, depth of monitoring, reimbursement support, identity restoration services. If you just want basic protection, a lighter tool might suffice, just know what you’re giving up.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. For many such subscriptions, you can cancel at the end of your billing period. For example, TELUS states: “Cancel anytime, effective at the end of the current billing period.” 

2025 outlook — trends and what to watch

More devices, more family coverage

As households accumulate more smart devices (tablets, IoT devices, smart TVs) the “number of devices” metric becomes more important. Plans that cover 10-20 devices are more in demand.

Increased “identity + financial” coverage

Traditional antivirus alone isn’t enough. Monitoring bank/investment accounts, social media, dark web leaks, and providing stolen-funds reimbursement are becoming standard in higher tiers.

Price stability, but feature sets evolve

While monthly prices have been fairly stable (entry in low $10s, mid in teens, top ~$20+), expect features to improve (better VPNs, more devices, better detection) rather than dramatic price jumps.

Bundling and discounts

Service providers may bundle online security with mobile/home services to drive uptake, look for discounts if you’re already a customer of the provider.

Geographic/regulatory nuance

In Canada, coverage limits, the identity theft reimbursement structure and requirements (age of majority, device OS support) are clearly stated. Always check local terms. 

Best recommendation – How much should you budget?

• If you’re an individual with 1-3 devices, minimal risk exposure, you might budget CAD ~$10-15/month and be comfortable.
• If you have a family, 5-10 devices, do public Wi-Fi travel, bank online, social-media active: budget CAD ~$15-20/month.
• If you run a home business, have many devices, lots of online exposure, or you simply want maximum peace of mind, budget CAD ~$20-30/month (or more) for top-tier coverage.
• Always evaluate annual cost (so multiply monthly by 12) and compare to the potential cost of an incident (lost funds, legal help, credit repair).

How does this ties into your provider’s offering

If you’re considering signing up via the provider mentioned here, you can check out our TELUS online security plans. On that page you’ll find detailed plan breakdowns, device counts, reimbursement caps, etc.
By referencing that page, you’re getting the real-world anchor for your decision. Choosing the right tier becomes easier when you know exactly what you get for each price point.

Final thoughts & next steps

Online security is no longer “optional” for many of us. The cost is relatively modest when compared with the upside of avoiding identity theft, stolen funds, device hacks or having to rebuild after a breach. As we’ve seen, you can get effective coverage in the CAD $10–20/month range for most users, though your individual risk profile may push you toward higher or lower tiers.

Here’s what we recommend you do now:

1. Take inventory of the devices in your home.
2. Think through how you use them (banking, travel, public Wi-Fi, social media).
3. Decide what worst-case scenario you want protection against (identity theft, stolen funds, device malware).
4. Visit the plan page, check out our TELUS online security plans and compare the tiers.
5. Choose the tier that aligns with your risk and budget and implement protection sooner rather than later.

Ready to take the next step? Explore the full plan lineup and get started with peace of mind. Sign up today and protect what matters, with clarity, value and confidence.