Free Security Tools
Free Security Tools
Now for the fun part...Security Tools to try and if you like them then you can buy the full feature versions or stay with the basic free tool. Most of the following products are free for personal use but if you like them you can usually make a donation to help keep them free or purchase the full versions. Businesses are usually offered a free trial period then they will require a licence to continue using them. These are Sunshadowz top picks for free computer security software. Remember, the most effective method for computer security is the layer approach. It's also up to you to ensure that you update your software and scan regularly where required. Use at your own risk.
Ad-Aware SE Personal
Ad-Aware Personal is a free program that is tremendously accurate at detecting spyware on your PC. Its offers advanced protection from known data mining, advertising, Trojans, dialers, malware, browser hijackers, and tracking components. Ad-Aware is easy to install, use and releases frequent updates.
Avast! 4 Home Edition - FREE antivirus software - Download
Avast! antivirus Home Edition is available free of charge for non-commercial home use ONLY. avast! antivirus Home Edition provides continuous protection of your valuable data and programs by updating itself automatically. Simply install and forget. It also comes with anti-spyware & anti-rootkit protection for Windows, which are typically available only in the paid versions of many antivirus products.
AVG Anti Virus Free Download
AVG anti virus free download from Grisoft offers a very efficient anti virus program, which releases frequent updates. The scheduler located in the control panel allows you to schedule updates and scans automatically. If for any reason you miss your scheduled scan time then you have the option to manually scan at your convenience. This program is very easy to install and use. AVG Free version does not include 24/7 technical support but there is a forum that you can visit to ask questions or search previously asked questions and answers.
Firefox
Mozilla Firefox 2 is a reliable and very secure web browser that we started using about 3 months ago. We usually use Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator and still do but Firefox was a really refreshing change. Installing Firefox doesn't mean that you must remove your old standby browser, it just provides you with the opportunity to try something new, expand your choices and compare features for yourself.
Mailwasher
Mailwasher is a reliable free anti spam program. It's very easy to set up with pop (post office protocol) accounts such as Outlook Express. The way it works is that you run Mailwasher when you check your mail with your ISP (Internet Service Provider). This little program will check your mail and before it's downloaded on to your hard drive, it will make suggestions as to whether the mail looks normal, possible virus or spam. It leaves it up to you to make the final call to retrieve, blacklist, delete or bounce it. The Bounce option is used if you want to appear that your account is no longer active.
Malware Bytes
Malware Bytes Anti Malware is an anti-malware application that can thoroughly remove even the most advanced malware. It includes a number of features, including a built in protection monitor that blocks malicious processes before they even start.
PC Pitstop
PC Pitstop is an important site to check out for general computer maintenance, disk health, help and tips. They offer a variety of online scans from full scans with free diagnostic results of the performance of your PC. Your aim here is to get all checkered flags. If you get a red or yellow flag, you will get suggestions on how to fix the problems. There are also many more scans that you can try from anti virus to privacy. Visiting this site should be a regular stop when you're doing computer maintenance.
Pop-up Blocker
Pop-Up Blocker Free Edition by Panicware blocks Internet and Messenger service ads. It's easy to install and use. You can easily allow certain windows to unblock by pressing the Ctrl key while the page loads.
SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition
SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition is the latest tool we have tested out to detect and remove Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, KeyLoggers, Dialers, Hi-Jackers, and Worms. We have been quite satisfied with its performance thus far. The free edition does not include real-time blocking or scheduled scanning.
Spybot Search and Destroy
Spybot Search and Destroy is one of the classics out there for spyware detection. It is strongly recommended to scan your PC with this product regularly as it does detect some spyware that others may miss. This product is very reliable, it's available in many languages and updates are offered through several different sites worldwide.
Spyware Guard
Spyware Guard is the newest tool that we've been testing out and really like. Spyware Guard scans files before you open them but instead of scanning for viruses it scans for spyware. It's very easy to download, install and update. It's a great addition to your layering protection.
Windows Clean Up
Windows Clean Up is a free gutter cleaner that rids your computer of all temporary files that your computer picks up along the way and frees up more disk space. This extremely easy to use program by Steven Gould, removes temporary files, empties the Recycle Bin, deletes files from your temporary folders, removes traces of your internet activity by deleting Browser cache, history and cookies. This program benefits both the maintenance of your computer as well as your privacy.
WinPatrol
WinPatrol Free by Bill P studios featuring Scotty the Guard Dog is a security-monitoring program that every computer should have. WinPatrol keeps you informed about what programs are and should be running at all times. Even if there are any changes made to your home page, Scotty will ask you whether you want this change or not. It's very easy to install and use. You won't even know that Scotty is there until any legitimate or malicious changes to your system are being attempted. WinPatrol gives you back some control of your PC.
Zone Alarm
Zone Alarm by Zone Labs is an award winning firewall, which is really easy to install and use. A feature that is great about Zone Alarm is that it gives the user quite a bit of control about what programs to allow, deny or ask permission. The free version offers you a basic network and program firewall.
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