Best Project Management Software for Freelance Designers 2026

The best project management software for freelance designers depends on one thing: do you mostly need to track your own tasks, or do you need to run the whole client side too? I read the official pricing pages for four popular tools on November 3, 2026. Here is how I would choose. Quick answer Trello if you think in boards and want a simple free start. Asana if you juggle many deadlines and want list, board, and calendar views for free. Notion if you want tasks, briefs, and notes in one flexible workspace. HoneyBook if your real pain is proposals, contracts, and getting paid, not task lists. Many freelancers do well with one free task tool plus one client tool. You rarely need more. What freelance designers actually need from a project tool Most roundups list ten tools built for big teams. A solo designer has different problems. You are the designer, the account manager, and the bookkeeper. These are the criteria I used: Visual layout. Designers tend to like boa...
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Cybersecurity in 2026, Top Threats and 4 Steps to Stay Safe

Quick answer
  • The FBI logged 1,008,597 complaints in 2025 and nearly $21 billion in losses. Investment fraud, phishing, and extortion were among the most reported.
  • Verizon’s 2026 report says exploiting vulnerabilities is now the top way into breaches at 31 percent, ransomware appears in 48 percent of breaches, and 69 percent of ransomware victims did not pay.
  • CISA’s four basic steps still cover most home users: strong passwords, multifactor authentication, spotting phishing, and updating software.

Older security posts listed threats by name and urged readers to be careful. Two big reports now give measurable answers: the FBI’s Internet Crime Report for 2025 and Verizon’s 2026 Data Breach Investigations Report. This guide summarizes their main findings and turns them into four steps that protect ordinary people and small businesses.

Helpful to have from this guide: security keys
See security keys on Amazon →
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

1. What the FBI Report Says

FBI 2025 Internet Crime Report key numbers
  • 1,008,597 complaints in 2025, up from 859,532 in 2024, with nearly $21 billion in reported losses.
  • About 453,000 cyber-enabled fraud complaints, with more than $17.7 billion lost.
  • Investment fraud accounted for nearly 49 percent of scam-related losses.
  • Crypto-related complaints: 181,565, with more than $11 billion lost.
  • AI-related complaints: 22,364, costing nearly $893 million.
  • Americans over 60 reported about $7.7 billion in losses, up 37 percent.
A hardware security key is one of the strongest forms of multifactor authentication.
My take (20 years in IT): The basics in the post still stop most home attacks. A password manager and multifactor authentication cost little and remove the most common weaknesses.

2. What the Verizon Report Says

Verizon 2026 Data Breach Investigations Report highlights
  • More than 31,000 incidents were analyzed, including over 22,000 confirmed data breaches.
  • Exploitation of vulnerabilities is now the most common way into a breach at 31 percent, while stolen credentials fell to 13 percent.
  • Ransomware appeared in 48 percent of breaches, up from 44 percent. 69 percent of victims did not pay.
  • Only 26 percent of critical known-exploited vulnerabilities were fully fixed on time.
  • 45 percent of employees now regularly use AI tools on work devices, and shadow AI is a growing data-loss risk.

3. Step 1: Strong, Unique Passwords

Step one of CISA Secure Our World: strong passwords
  • Use a password manager so every account has a long, unique password.
  • Change any password that was reused or involved in a breach.
  • Prefer passkeys when a site offers them.
Narrowing it down? Prices and availability change often, so check the current listing.
Backup drives →

4. Step 2: Turn On Multifactor Authentication

Step two: turn on multifactor authentication
  • Turn on MFA for email, banking, and any account that holds money or personal data.
  • Choose an authenticator app or security key over text messages when possible.
  • Keep recovery codes somewhere safe.

5. Steps 3 and 4: Spot Phishing and Update Software

Steps three and four: spot phishing and keep software updated
  • Phishing and spoofing are among the most reported crimes. Check the sender, avoid urgent pressure, and do not click unexpected links.
  • The FBI urges you to Take a Beat before sending money or information.
  • Because exploited vulnerabilities are now the top entry point, install updates for your phone, computer, router, and apps.
  • Turn on automatic updates and replace devices that no longer get security fixes.
Ready to compare options? Prices and availability change often, so check the current listing.
WPA3 Wi-Fi routers →
My take (20 years in IT): Updates are boring but important. Turn on automatic updates for your operating system, browser and router, and replace devices that no longer receive them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common way hackers get in?

Verizon’s 2026 report says exploiting vulnerabilities, at 31 percent, is now the most common initial access vector.

Should I pay a ransomware demand?

Verizon found 69 percent of ransomware victims did not pay. Law enforcement generally advises against paying. Back up data so you can recover without paying.

How do I report a scam?

Report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov with the details of the contact and payments.

Do I need an antivirus?

Use the built-in protections of your operating system, keep them on, and add habits such as updates and MFA.

Related Guides

Resources

Last updated: October 22, 2026.

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