If you are a woman 1) get a handgun you can use and are proficient with 2) get a carry purse, train with it and carry it ANYTIME you are traveling 3) practice situational awareness, with hand in your purse whenever you are walking 4) take classes and study your state law to know your use of force and conceal carry requirements 5) if you are in a communist state, move within 6 weeks.
These are the minimum requirements if you care about yourself and your family. No one else cares.
Good advice there.
Some folks will have nothing to do with guns. Not the best approach, but it is what it is. For those folks, I suggest strong, police-grade pepper spray. Fox and Sabre are good brands. Both are available on Amazon.
Pepper spray is legal in all 50 states. But some states have canister size restrictions. So you gotta do a little research.
And one more thing. At a minimum, watch a few YouTube videos on the proper use of pepper spray.
GET DOG THAT CAN BE CUJO WHEN IN YOUR CAR OR OFF YOUR PROPERTY & A CUDDLER AT HOME.
Situational awareness is you foremost defensive weapon.
Also, aside from a handgun and a knife; a good, small LED flashlight, with, at least a cr123 or 18650 battery.
You can blind the assailant from 10 yards away.
Much better than pepper spray, in my opinion.