The proliferation of viruses, hackers, phishing scams, malware and spyware has made keeping your computer and personal data secure a challenge. Fortunately there are plenty of useful and necessary tools you can employ in this never ending security challenge.
At the minimum you'll need a firewall, antivirus, antispyware, and an updated operating system.
Here are some free tools and helpful links to make the job easier. All listed software is freeware unless noted with $$$ signs. Pocket Favorites appear in bold type.
Beware Of Spyware - Learn the basics about what spyware is, how it gets inside your computer, and what it might be doing there.
Lavasoft Ad-Aware 2008 Free - The original anti-spyware product, offered to consumers worldwide to protect their personal and home computers from malware attacks.
ZoneAlarm Spy Blocker - Spy site blocking to prevent you from accidentally accessing Websites that distribute spyware.
PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition - Provides world-leading protection, with rapid database updates, IntelliGuard real-time protection and comprehensive system scanning.
Avira AntiVir - Protects your computer against dangerous viruses, worms, Trojans and costly dialers.
Comodo AntiVirus - Detects and eliminates viruses from desktops and network.
Compromised Computer Recovery:
Avira AntiVir Rescue System - A Linux-based application that allows accessing computers that cannot be booted anymore. Making it possible to repair a damaged system, rescue data, and scan the system for virus infections.
Windows SteadyState - Return your family computer and hard disk to the condition it was before your children changed it. You just restart your computer.
Computer Maintenance:
Update Windows - Keep your Microsoft operating system and products up-to-date.
CCleaner - System optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space.
Piriform Recuva - Restore files that have been accidentally deleted from your computer. This includes files emptied from the Recycle bin as well as images and other files that have been deleted by user error from digital camera memory cards or MP3 players.
Email/OutlookExpress:
Iconix eMail ID - Iconix Truemark service authenticates email from over 350 companies.
Avoid Spam - Microsoft helps you keep spam out of your inbox.
Avoid Phishing Scams - Disregard any email that asks for personal information, credit card numbers, or bank information.
PC Tools Firewall Plus - Stop Trojans, backdoors, keyloggers and other malware from damaging your computer and stealing your private information.
Comodo Firewall Pro - Protection against identity theft, hackers, trojans, viruses, scripts and other unknown threats.
Online Armor Personal Firewall - Protects your computer's Internet connection (inbound connections and outbound connections), stops unknown programs from running and detects keyloggers.
A full Internet security suite with a two-way firewall, antivirus, antispam and antispyware software is the easiest and most comprehensive security solution. Some security suites also come with parental controls and additional privacy features. It will cost you and you'll also have to pay yearly upgrade fees.
Norton Internet Security - Privacy settings, hacker protection, parental controls, ad blocking and Norton AntiVirus. $$$
Kaspersky Internet Security - Triple Threat Protection is a unique set of technologies that protect against identity theft, confidential data leakage and all Internet threats. Add privacy and parental controls, an integrated firewall, a new and improved interface and much, much more! $$$
AVG Internet Security - With antivirus, antispyware, antispam, linkscanner and firewall. $$$
ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite - Includes antivirus, antispyware, antispam and antiphishing, identity theft protection and much more. All enhanced with the world's top rated network/program firewall and operating system firewall. $$$
Uniblue ProcessQuickLink - Get the latest definitions and exhaustive advice on all the processes running on (your computer) directly in the Windows Task Manager.
Online Virus/Security Scans:
Trend Micro HouseCall - Check whether your computer has been infected by viruses, spyware, or other malware.
CrawlerParental - Get perfect control of Websites your children browse, programs they use, and time they spend on computer.
Blue Coat® K9 Web Protection - A content filtering solution for your home computer. Its job is to provide you with a family-safe Internet experience, where YOU control the Internet content that enters your home.
Windows SteadyState - Protect your family from inappropriate Web content and contact on the Web. Windows SteadyState also protects your computer settings from unwelcome changes by your children.
Eulalyzer - Analyze license agreements in seconds. Discover if the software you're about to install displays pop-up ads, transmits personally identifiable information, uses unique identifiers to track you, or much much more.
Cryptainer LE - Secure your data and ensure absolute privacy with Cypherix's powerful encryption software, Cryptainer LE. It's powerful 128 bit encryption, creates multiple 25 MB encrypted containers (vaults) on your hard disk.
Kruptos 2 - A powerful 256 bit file encryption utility that allows you to secure any sensitive files stored on your PC or portable storage device. Kruptos 2 includes a powerful file shredding utility, and the ability to generate self decrypting files.
Spam Filters:
Comodo Anti-Spam - Total spam elimination, supports all major email clients, and automatically updates definitions.
PC Tools Spam Monitor - Provides you with an additional level of protection against viral and other infections by stopping spam and junk mail.
Firetrust Mailwasher - The leader in spam filter software, and the easiest way to check and manage your emails before you download them.
CCleaner - A system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space.
Revo Uninstaller - Uninstall and remove unwanted programs, even if you can't uninstall them from Windows Add or Remove.
HD Tune - A Checkup For Your Hard Drive. How healthy is it?
Belarc Advisor - Personal PC audit, get a detailed profile of your computer.
Virus Removal Tools:
Remove A Virus - Directions from Microsoft on how to disinfect your computer.
