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Useful & recommended Software
Here is
a list of anti-virus and firewall programs you should consider installing
on your PC to keep it safe! Most are freeware! Along with links to some of the best help
sites on the web.
All items are either freeware or
shareware. Note: I do not own,
nor am I affiliated with any of this software, or it's developers, in
anyway, unless noted otherwise.
NOTE: Always turn off
system restore, and reboot into safe mode when removing viruses and
spyware. This is the safest way to completely remove unwanted viruses and
spyware utilities installed on your pc.
STARTUP UTILITES:
Never use MSConfig to disable startup
programs no matter what others have recommended. MSConfig was never meant
to be a startup manager. Please note the warning found on the Microsoft
site concerning MSConfig. If you use it and then run a program, you may
cause problems that can only be resolved with a repair install of your
Operating system.
Free Anti-Virus
These are Free!
Avast Free Edition
Avast!
Antivirus software is based on the ALWIL Software Virus, Worm and Trojan
horse scanning technology since 1988. The Avast! Antivirus portfolio
includes a number of products, providing effective protection at all
levels - from PDAs to large networks.
AntiVir Personal
The new AntiVir
PersonalEdition Premium provides more security for viruses, worms and
Trojan: The comprehensive security of the cost-free version is
supplemented with useful features in security and comfort by the Premium
Version of the known and popular AntiVir software:
Avira AntiVir PE Classic
Avira AntiVir
PersonalEdition Classic is a reliable antivirus solution, that constantly
and rapidly scans your computer for malicious programs (such as viruses,
Trojans, backdoor programs, hoaxes, worms, dialers etc.)
ClamWin Antivirus
ClamWin is a Free
Antivirus for Microsoft Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/2003. It provides a
graphical user interface to the Clam AntiVirus engine.
AVG Free Edition
New - AVG Free
Edition is now available for all single home users worldwide!
This is a full package, includes
background scanning and updates!
Panda - Free Online Virus Scan.
Try the Panda
solution that best suits your needs, free of charge.
Stop Sign
Stop Sign is eAnthology's
Anti-Virus Service. Get a Free Virus Scan to determine if you are
infected!
Norton
The world's
leading antivirus software - Use only the best to keep your pc protected.
Trend - Free online scan
Ease your mind
and scan your PC for viruses NOW!
McAfee
FreeScan
detects the presence of viruses on your computer.
Sygate
Sygate is the
market leader in endpoint security. Our flagship solution, Sygate Secure
Enterprise, protects corporate networks from damage and loss with
centrally managed security agents on network endpoints and network access
points.
Zone Labs - Free online scan
Simply surfing
the Internet exposes your browsing habits to others. Files can be placed
on your computer to track your activity online and report back to
questionable parties. These tracking devices are unwanted files that
invade your Internet privacy.
FREE FIREWALLS
These are Free!
Ashampoo Firewall
Heavy-duty
Protection for Everyone; Small and efficient instead of big and confusing
Comodo Personal Firewall
FREE Comodo Personal
Firewall - Secure your system against internal attacks such as Trojan
viruses / malicious software and external attacks by hackers. With a
user-friendly single click interface you can allow or block access to the
Internet offering complete immunity to attacks and total protection of
your personal information.
Filseclab Firewall
Filseclab Personal
Firewall is a personal firewall that allows you to control which programs
can access the Internet and at what times. It offers an automated rules
wizard that will prompt you for action whenever an incoming or outgoing
connection is detected, that does not match any of the existing rule
sets. You can then choose to grant or deny access, and automatically
create a rule for it.
Jetico Firewall
The software offers
detailed, configurable event logs, reports, plus the option to view and
edit the firewall configuration. The modular architecture is as open as
possible to assist with easier evaluation of the security.
Omniquad Firewall
Omniquad
Personal Firewall is a personal security system to protect your computers
from unauthorized access over the LAN and / Internet.
R-Firewall
R-Firewall is an
effective and easy-to-use solution to secure your on-line activity. It
protects a computer connected to a local network and/or to the Internet
against any intrusions, attacks, Trojans, spyware, and other external and
internal threats. R-Firewall also filters out inappropriate Internet pages
content and blocks dangerous active components you may get while browsing
over the Internet or receiving e-mail massages.
SafeZone
SafeZone locks a
computer system to external connections by analysis and routing of
network traffic. SafeZone can be customized to isolate, record and warn
the user of all hacking attempts.
SecurWall
SecurWall is the
user-friendliest PC firewall and personal desktop security solution
available today. SecurWall is a must-have security measure for any PC
that connects to a private network or the public Internet.
SensiveGuard
SensiveGuard checks
every inbound and outbound network access for policy compliance, suspends
and warns on every access in real-time that is not allowed or denied
explicitly by policies.
SoftPerfect Firewall
SoftPerfect Personal
Firewall is a free network firewall designed to protect your PC against
attacks from the Internet or via a local area network. SoftPerfect
Personal Firewall offers customizable security using user-defined rules
for packet filtering.
Xeon Personal Firewall
Xeon Personal
Firewall is one of the most powerful firewalls available on the internet.
You are able to control which applications can access the internet, and what
security setting you would like on your computer.
Zone Alarm
Basic PC protection for the home
user. Millions of users have selected ZoneAlarm as their basic Internet
security solution. The award-winning personal firewall blocks dangerous
Internet threats, guarding your PC from many of the tactics used by
hackers and data thieves. For more complete protection from all threats
from email-borne viruses to privacy-violating cookies and web bugs.
SPYWARE And ADWARE
These are Free!
Ewido
Complement
your existing protection system today!
We offer you real-time
protection against over 61.000 threats of the newest generation:
A2 Squared
In
the past, the classic virus, which attached itself to other programs, was
the only major concern. In today's Internet environment, a new kind of
menace which is especially made for attacks on the Internet are much more
dangerous. Every computer on the web is vulnerable. Two categories of
harmful code have become more important in the last two years: Worms and
Trojan Horses. Such harmful tools are called Malware. The term was
created by a combination of "malicious" and "software
".
Ad-Aware
DOWNLOAD
Ad-aware Standard Edition is THE
award winning, free*, multicomponent detection and removal utility that consistently
leads the industry in safety, user satisfaction, support and reliability.
Spybot S&D
DOWNLOAD
Application to
scan for spyware, adware, hijackers and other malicious software.
Hijack This
HijackThis examines certain key
areas of the Registry and Hard Drive and lists their contents. These are
areas, which are used by both legitimate programmers and hijackers.
Hijack This Tutorial
Hijack This by Merijn
is a great tool for detecting and removing browser Hijacks. A browser
hijack is when spyware takes over your internet settings.
Adware, Spyware and how to remove them
Go here for
programs that detect and remove malware files.
Bazooka
Adware and Spyware Scanner
DOWNLOAD
Free - Detect a
multitude of spyware, adware, trojan, keylogger and trackware components;
sources of irritation that antirus software does not deal with.
1st Privacy
Tool for Windows
1st Privacy Tool
is a powerful security utility that allows you to restrict access to
Windows important resources.
IESPYAD
IE-SPYAD is a
Registry file (IE-ADS.REG) that adds a long list of sites and domains
associated with known advertisers, marketers, and crapware pushers to the
Restricted sites zone of Internet Explorer.
SpywareBlaster
Prevent spyware
from installing in the first place!
Browser
Hijack Blaster
Running
silently in the background, Browser Hijack Blaster only springs into
action when an attempt is made. It watches and protects the following
items:
IE Homepage, IE Default Page, IE Search
Page, BHOs.
Spy sweeper
Detect and remove spyware and adware
Download free
spy sweeper software, use spysweeper to uninstall detect and remove
spyware and adware.
WinPatrol is
a FREE a multi-function tool
Scotty the
Windows Watch Dog will sniff out malicious, nasty "mysteryware"
that may attack your computer. WinPatrol puts you back in control of your
computer with no need for constant updates.
CWShredder
CWShredder finds and
destroys traces of CoolWebSearch. CoolWebSearch is a name given to a wide
range of different browser hijackers.
XP Anti-spy
Keeps Spys
Away!
1-2-3 Spyware Free
Protecting from
spyware and adware can be easy and effective! 1-2-3 Spyware Free is the
award winning solution that will comprehensively scan your PC for
unwanted components and will suggest their removal. The Update Option
enables you to get an up-to-date version on a regular basis. Use 1-2-3
Spyware Free and be safe!
KazaaBegone
1.01
KazaaBegone
is a Kazaa uninstaller, which scans and removes all elements of all Kazaa
versions, as well as all of the bundled software that comes with it. You
have the option to just search for the components or to search and
destroy.
TROJAN DETECTION/REMOVAL
Trojan
Scan-online scan
Trojan horses are a huge security
threat. A Trojan is a program that enters your computer undetected, giving
the attacker who planted the Trojan unrestricted access to the data
stored on your computer.
a2 Free - Anti-Trojan
a² is a complementary product to
antivirus software which is specialized in protection against harmful
software. Antivirus software often features an inadequate protection
against Trojans, Dialers and Spyware. a² fills this gap.
PestControl
Odds are your
PC has spyware on it right now. When you receive e-mail, visit websites,
or download files, these digital Peeping Toms can sneak into your PC and
reveal your deepest secrets to unscrupulous hackers and relentless
spammers.
SwatIt.-FREE
SwatIt Anti Trojan and Bot Scanner
and Remover
Now
with Advanced Heuristic Detection!
MOHERBOARD MONITORS
Belarc Advisor
- Free Personal PC Audit (version 6.1)(Freeware)
CPU-Z is a
freeware detection program base on the Panopsys hardware detection
engine.
It allows getting some information on your system.
Sandra Standard
SiSoftware
Sandra (the System ANalyser, Diagnostic
and Reporting Assistant) is an information & diagnostic
utility. It should provide most of the information (including
undocumented) you need to know about your hardware, software and other
devices whether hardware or software.
Hot CPU Tester Pro is a system health and stability tester
Hot CPU Tester
Pro - Hot CPU Tester is a system stability tester. It tests CPU, and
virtually all parts of motherboard units for errors.
Power supply Calculator
Have you ever
wondered if you're buying the proper sized power supply?
- If you've ever looked, the information isn't that easy to
find. Here's the solution....
Power supply Calculator
You may not
know it but your power supply is crucial to your system. Not having
enough power may cause system freezes or crashes. This interactivity will
determine if you have sufficient power. Configuration based on a average
PC.
CPUID
PC WIZARD 2004
is a powerful utility designed especially for detection of hardware, but
also some more analysis. It's able to identify a large scale of system components
and supports the latest technologies and standards. This tool is
periodically updated (usually once per month) in order to provide most
accurate results.
INTERNET ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS AND OTHER SYMBOLS GLOSSARY
To help assist those new to WWW
message boards or USENET newsgroups on just what all those acronyms mean.
Motherboard Monitor 5.3.5.1
Motherboard
Monitor will access one or more of the following chips: LM75, LM78,
LM78-j, LM79, LM80, WinBond W83781D, WinBond W83782D, WinBond W83783S,
WinBond W83627HF, Asus AS99127F, GL518SM, GL520SM, ADM9240, ADM1021,
ADM1020, MAX1016, MAX1016a, FMS2701, VIA686A, THMC10 and THMC50 on your
motherboard and provide you with information about your motherboard’s
temperature, voltages, fan speeds ,CPU temperature and more. It's a nice
tool.
ERROR BEEPS
POST Error
Beeps and Codes
Hot CPU Tester Pro - Beep Codes
The computer
POST (Power On Self Test) that tests the computer insuring that it meets
the necessary system requirements before booting up. If the computer
fails the POST the computer then returns a beep code indicating what is
causing the computer not to post the POST.
Registry
Edits for Windows XP
Registry Edits
for Windows XP. "Tweaks and Tips"
POP-UP BLOCKERS
All in One Secretmaker Spam block & popup killer
software
All
in One Secretmaker is optimized for the needs of most Windows users. All
in One Secretmaker follows the zero configuration technology, which means
that you do not have to change any settings to use All in One
Secretmaker. All in One Secretmaker is easily understandable and does
exactly what you expect, fast, quickly and smoothly. With All in One
Secretmaker your privacy is protected and surfing is easier. All in One
Secretmaker is freeware, without advertising, and doesn't require registration.
Kill Ad
As you may have
noticed, many Internet sites love to open additional browser windows (so
called "popups") with advertising contents. KillAd assists you
to close all undesirable popups automatically. Being fairly sophisticated
software full of features, it is highly customizable, small in size,
undemanding to system resources, fast, and (I hope) reliable.
Google
Toolbar
This is one
very good pop-up stopper, a must have for pop-up free web surfing!
POP STOP-POPUP KILLER
Free
Pop Stop from BestToolbars.net can block 100% annoying pop-up and
pop-under ads automatically while never interferes with your navigation.
It is small, freeware and easy to install. Unlike most pop-up killers,
there's no need to designate particular websites or keywords - it works
without human intervention; - it only blocks unsolicited pop-up windows
while does not in any way interfere with opening new windows!
The Woosh Blog
The Whoos Blog, is
filled with many Spyware help and support article to help with your
computer needs.
KEY
LOGGERS
Keep track of
what goes on, when others are using your computer! Want to
know where the kids are browsing? These are the programs for you.
Keyboard Spectator Lite is absolutely free
Keyboard
Spectator is a multifunctional keyboard tracking software (a.k.a.
keylogger) that is widely used by both regular users and IT security
specialists.
SpyArsenal.com:
invisible keylogger-Home Keylogger v1.70 - easy to use keystroke
recorder(FREEWARE)
Family
Keylogger - is your best choice, if you want to know what other users are
typing on your machine
WinSpy
With @WinSpy,
You can find out what the others have done on your computer.
007 Spy Software 3.10
007 Spy Software
is a stealthy monitoring program which allows you to secretly track all
activities of computer
Spytech SpyAgent
Need to track
employees and monitor workstations at all times?
Ever need to keep tabs on your child or
spouse while they use the PC?
SpyAnytime
PC Spy
SpyAnytime is
extremely powerful and easy to use keylogger spy software. It allows you
to secretly monitor and record user's activities on computer.
PC WATCH Personal
PC Watch is an
easy to use tool for basic PC activity monitoring.
LINKS FOR XP REPAIRS
Key Finder -
Windows activation key
The Magical
Jelly Bean Keyfinder is a freeware utility that retrieves your Product
Key (cd key) used to install windows from your registry. It has the
options to copy the key to clipboard, save it to a text file, or print it
for safekeeping.
XP Repair
Following are
experiences with repairing XP. I will not assume any responsibility for
problems that may occur to your system from using any of these
suggestions.
Boot Disks
WINDOWS AND DOS
BOOT DISKS.
Internet Explorer Repair Tools
Problems? Here
is the site for you
Creat
Bootable CD-Roms
A bootable
CD-Rom is a CD from which you boot the PC. This means putting the CD in
your CD-Rom drive and power-on or reboot your system. The PC will load a
boot image from the CD-Rom and control is given.
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