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Software and other Internet Resources.

 

Free Security Related

Most of the following software is available for free or free after a trial period. Most also have a Pay version available as well. Some are totally free, some are donation ware.

  • Antivirus software

    AVG Free (free version)
     
    Avast! Home Edition (Free for home use)
     
    AntiVir (free version)
     
  • Firewall software
     
    ZoneAlarm Free (free version) Requires Win2K or later. Earlier ZoneAlarm Free version here (latest version that works for Win9x/ME: version 61 737 000).

    Comodo Personal Firewall (free forever) Requires Win2K or later.
     
  • Antispyware software
     
    Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition (free version)
     
    SpyBot Search & Destroy (free)
     
    AVG Antispyware (free after trial or buy)
     
    Windows Defender
    (free but requires WGA validation - NOTE: Be sure to use Internet Explorer to download. Windows XP or later required.)
     
  • Prevention software
     
    WinPatrol (free after trial or buy) - nice and lightweight and does a great job. Particularly good for slower computers or computers with less memory
     
    SpywareBlaster (free, pay for automatic updates) - a must have

    Prevx1 - New concept that works quite well and is lightweight too. Add Prevx 1 to your security arsenal. Prevx 1 protects you from all malware including; viruses, trojans, worms, spyware, keyloggers and rootkits. Free trial scanning/cleaning. If your computer stays clean, Prevx will not cost anything. After the trial if you need to turn on the 'automatic jail' to clean your computer, then you buy it. Prevx 1 has been designed to run on 32-bit versions Windows XP, XP Home, XP Personal, XP Professional, 2000, 2000 Professional. Support for Windows 2003, 2003 Server and 64-bit versions is currently being tested and will be available at a later date.

    Secunia Software Inspector (free) browser/Java based software inspection of the components like Java, Flash, Windows Updates, etc. to ensure you have the latest versions and especially important to make sure you do not have any latent earlier versions laying around to be exploited.

    SpywareGuard (free)
     
    EULAlyzer (free)
     
    SiteAdvisor (free and pay versions from McAfee), for Internet Explorer and Firefox - "We test the Web to help keep you safe from spyware, spam, viruses and online scams."
     
    LinkScanner (free Lite version, free trial for Pro version). Exploit Prevention Labs LinkScanner - Keep Your Surfing Safe. "Linkscanner Pro does a superb job of ferreting out sites defaced with dangerous hacker code, but for complete antiphishing protection, you'll still need a second program, such as the free Netcraft toolbar." Review by CNET.

    Netcraft Toolbar Free security toolbar. "The Netcraft toolbar sets a high standard for phishing detection. Unobtrusive and easy to use, you can't beat the price (free) for this toolbar." Review by CNET.
     
    CCleaner (free) NOTE: During install, recommend unclicking Yahoo! Toolbar if you don't want it. Configure settings (Windows and Applications Tabs) before running CCleaner - unclick cookies for browsers and let antispyware products take care of cookies, and maybe recent documents if you use that feature.
     
  • HOSTS File replacement/management/updates
     
    MVP HOSTS (MVP HOSTS replacement file)
     
    HOSTER v3.5 (Manage HOSTS file)
     
    HOSTS Secure - Requires .NET Framework 1.1
     
  • Alternative Browsers and Email Clients
     
    Get Mozilla Firefox Web Browser!
    Get Mozilla Thunderbird Email Client
    Opera (free)
     
    Eudora (free and pay now, soon open source)
     

Parental Help - Free Internet Filtering

K0 Web Protectoin - Free Internet Web Filtering Software from Blu Coat

 

Non Free Security Solutions

Productivity Software

Many of the free security programs you will need to update on a weekly basis if they don't an auto update function (antivirus software generally has an auto update function).

Many find it's easier to remember to run their 'Weekies' if they put the short cuts for their security programs into a new folder on the Desktop called Weekly as a reminder. I generally create a folder called Weekly and change the folder Icon to the little security lock image under customize Icon in Windows XP.

 

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