Shaping Security – A Look Behind the Scenes with Chris Bohn, Founder of Protectstar

What does it take to stay ahead in a world full of digital risks and rapid technological progress?
In today’s interview, Chris Bohn—Founder and CEO of Protectstar—opens the door to his vision: Security as a basic right, accessible to everyone, thanks to innovative solutions like the “1 cent per day” strategy that already protects millions of people from cyberattacks.

Interview

Editorial Team: Chris, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. How would you describe the spirit of Protectstar in a single sentence?

Chris Bohn:
Security is a basic right because the need for safety is deeply rooted in our human DNA.
It’s not just about technology, but also about conviction and passion—going strong for over 20 years. That’s why we put all our efforts into making protection against cyberattacks as straightforward and affordable as possible.
 

Editorial Team: Tell us about the technological milestones you’ve introduced since the company was founded. What makes Protectstar so special?

Chris Bohn:
Our driving force since 2004 has been the same: we want to protect people from complex digital threats—with technologies that are sustainable and easily accessible. Here’s a brief timeline:

• Smartphone Security (2004–2005)
  While others were still focused on desktop protection, we recognized early on the risks faced by mobile devices and laid the foundation for secure smartphones.
• Breakthrough in Data Erasure (2006–2007)
  With iShredder™, we set new standards for the permanent destruction of sensitive data. Back then, hardly anyone realized how important data protection would become—yet we were already in the midst of shaping it.
• Mobile Apps & Privacy (from 2011)
  Our iShredder™ for Android and iOS quickly became the standard because it simply worked and gave people real security. Then came Camera Guard™ and Micro Guard™, protecting camera and microphone privacy even before operating systems offered similar features. From 2016 on, we integrated AI and deep learning to intercept these threats even faster.
• AI-Based Solutions (2019–today)
  With Anti Spy and Antivirus AI, we achieve over 99.9% malware detection—a milestone. Receiving the BIG Innovation Award 2025 underscores our mission: “Security for Everyone” should not just be an idea but a living reality.
• Future & Innovation (2024+)
  Today, we protect more than eight million people in over 100 countries. Deep Detective™ sniffs out new threats before they become a problem. Our motto, “Shaping Security,” drives us to keep delivering real breakthroughs.
  
  And we were already working with artificial intelligence and machine learning years before the OpenAI/chatGPT hype!
  So, when you put users at the center and make security as simple and powerful as possible, something magical happens: People feel free rather than unsettled. That’s what has been fueling us for over two decades.
   

Editorial Team: Which moments gave you goosebumps so far?

Chris Bohn:
You get goosebumps when you realize that your idea suddenly impacts the lives of an incredibly large number of people.
When we hit the one-million-user mark, we knew we were providing real value. And the fact that more than a million people use our apps daily is something you can’t just explain with numbers—you have to feel it.

It’s also pretty cool that we’re up to several hundred times smaller than industry giants yet can move just as fast or faster. It shows that true innovation doesn’t depend on the size of the company but on conviction and passion. When you have a team that shares the same drive—to make the world safer—you can achieve great things.
That’s the real goosebump moment: seeing people worldwide rely on our technology while we still maintain the agility of a startup. That’s genuine magic.
 

Editorial Team: What’s the biggest benefit for someone who simply wants to protect their smartphone?

Chris Bohn:
Most people don’t want to comb through confusing settings or read manuals—they need protection that works at the touch of a button. That’s exactly what our apps offer: from fully automatic Anti Spy or Antivirus AI, to our Firewall AI app, all the way to securely erasing sensitive data with iShredder. Everything is designed to be easy to understand and immediately effective.

Editorial Team: You often talk about making security accessible “for everyone,” which sounds ambitious. You also have a “1 cent per day” strategy that symbolizes affordable security. What’s that all about?

Chris Bohn:
The idea is as simple as it is revolutionary: everyone should be able to afford top-notch security—for just one single cent per day. Many people assume high-level protection is expensive and complicated, but we prove the opposite. As soon as more people and devices are protected, cybercrime becomes less profitable.

Many people think premium security is costly and complicated—we prove the opposite. By harnessing AI, automation, and smart practical processes, we reduce costs so dramatically that everyone can join in. Imagine a billion people worldwide clicking “Protect,” and suddenly attacks become hardly worthwhile.
 

Editorial Team: It sounds like a sustainable approach, relying on economies of scale and innovation. How do you see your chances in the next 5–10 years when the market is so competitive?

Chris Bohn:
If you want long-term success, you need a clear vision and a radical focus on people. We give users what they need most: security, simplicity, and trust—all in one place, without compromising on data protection.
Our AI technology isn’t just a technical gimmick; it’s a tool to help users in a stress-free and efficient way. And by deliberately leveraging economies of scale, affordable pricing, and resource-friendly processes, we create a product people can truly love.
For the years ahead, that means we’ll combine cutting-edge innovation with consistent user-centricity—and that’s how we stay at the forefront of progress. People who recognize that will remain loyal, even in a tough market. We don’t think in terms of short-term market shares but rather in terms of sustainable relationships with people who trust us. And that’s what really matters.
 

Editorial Team: What else sets Protectstar apart from other providers?

Chris Bohn:
Protectstar stands out because of our uncompromising focus on the people using our products.

• No Personal Data Collection
  We completely avoid collecting personal data—we believe technology shouldn’t automatically mean an insatiable appetite for data. If we want to protect users, we can’t betray their trust.
• Speed and Efficiency
  We work incredibly fast and lean. A new threat is detected? Our update is deployed automatically within seconds. While larger companies navigate endless processes, we’re already rolling out solutions—with a fraction of the staff. That’s the power of clear priorities.
• User at the Center
  We keep things free of bloated menus and distractions, developing security tools that are simple to understand and quick to use. In short, we don’t want to be an obstacle; we want to be an intuitive companion for digital life.

That’s what makes us different: radical clarity, radical speed, and a radical focus on what genuinely helps people.
 

Editorial Team: Elon Musk dreams of colonizing Mars—what about Protectstar?

Chris Bohn:
We dream of a world where cybersecurity is as natural as breathing—on every device, in every country, and maybe even on Mars. But jokes aside, our focus is on Earth, although we do think in big dimensions.
We don’t just want to arrive in the future; we want to shape it. Secure and accessible to everyone—that’s our Mars mission.

Imagine everyone having an AI-based guardian angel, a “Protectstar,” for their digital life—whether it’s social media, banking, health data, or connected devices. Scale that up, and you get a kind of global safety net that updates itself and leaves virtually no gaps. Instead of fear or complexity, you have trustworthy solutions so intuitive you wouldn’t even consider going online without protection.
 

Editorial Team: If you could wish for something for our digital future, what would it be?

Chris Bohn:
A world in which no one is left out. Security isn’t a privilege for those with enough money or technical know-how; it has to be a natural part of our digital everyday life.
No matter whether you live in San Francisco or a remote village in India, everyone deserves to participate in a secure, connected world. 
If we all understand that “security for everyone” isn’t just a marketing slogan but a necessity, we can make real progress. Then we’ll have a digital future that’s not only smart but also humane.
 

Editorial Team: What does “environment and sustainability” actually mean for Protectstar?

Chris Bohn:
Digital innovation and responsible use of resources must go hand in hand. We don’t just look at CO₂ values—after all, CO₂ is part of the air we breathe, and plants need it to live.
For us, sustainability isn’t a marketing buzzword; it’s part of our DNA. When we develop new solutions, we’re always mindful of minimizing environmental impact. It starts with energy-efficient processes and extends well beyond sponsoring beehives in Germany’s Black Forest. Why do we do all this? Because great technology only makes sense if it serves life rather than destroys it.

We want our security solutions not only to protect people but also the planet. By reducing resource usage and supporting projects like “Buzz with Us!,” we demonstrate that true innovation can go hand in hand with genuine responsibility. So when you choose Protectstar, you get more than just a digital guardian angel—you also get the assurance that you’re contributing to a more sustainable world.

Editorial Team: Thank you, Chris! Finally, what would make you proud in ten years when you look back on Protectstar?

Chris Bohn:
Seeing every day how our solutions take away that uneasy feeling of being vulnerable online—giving people a sense of security and relief—that’s my greatest motivation.
I’d be proud if we could say, “We’ve given people security without taking away the ease of digital life.” Imagine if no one had to fear hacker attacks, and certainly not high prices that turn security into a luxury. If we’ve managed to remove fear from the internet with Protectstar, then we’ve accomplished something truly significant—something bigger than ourselves.

Because in the end, it’s all about the person who flips open their smartphone or starts up their computer and simply feels safe. If we make that accessible to everyone in ten years, then we’ve made the world a bit better. And that, after all, is why we’re here.

About Chris Bohn

Chris Bohn, also known as “Mr. Protectstar,” had a bold idea in a small storage room in Bradenton, Florida, in 2004: IT security should be accessible, powerful, and easy to use—for everyone, regardless of budget or prior knowledge. His guiding principle, “Technology must serve people, not the other way around,” has shaped Protectstar ever since. Today, more than eight million users in over 100 countries trust products like iShredder™, Antivirus AI, and Anti Spy—including leading companies, government agencies, and defense ministries. Behind this success is a global team of 15 experts across seven countries, fully committed to Bohn’s “1 cent per day” principle: top-tier security without cost barriers. This approach also embraces sustainability and responsibility, showing that digitalization and resource conservation can go hand in hand.
Regular top scores from independent institutes like AV-Test and the BIG Innovation Award 2025 prove that the courage to follow a vision pays off. But for Chris Bohn, this is just the beginning. Under the motto “Shaping Security,” he continues to develop solutions that give people trust and freedom in a connected world—without compromising user-friendliness or data protection.
By blending simplicity, user focus, and pioneering spirit, Chris Bohn has built a holistic mission: everyone should feel safe and protected, with the confidence that innovation can be not only efficient but also eco-friendly and socially valuable.
Learn more: https://www.protectstar.com/en/company