Keep your computer safe plus other handy tools

[dallascisco]

The tools below are all free for home use and provide ways to keep your computer safe.


Anti-Virus-

AVG Anti-Virus

http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html


This is a good anti-virus program that doesn't take over your computer like Symantec and Mcafee products tend to do. Includes the AVG Anti-Spyware compenents as well. Please note that you should only have one anti-virus program running on your machine at a time to avoid conflicts.


Anti-Spyware-

Spybot Search and Destroy-

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html


Lavasoft Ad-Aware Free Edition-

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

These two freebies are a good one two punch as what one doesn't pick up the other generally does.


Hijackthis-

http://www.download.com/Trend-Micro-...-10227353.html


This tool helps you find bad items that can infiltrate your internet explorer web browser.


Firewall-


Zonealarm-

http://www.zonealarm.com/store/conte...ku_list_za.jsp


This is a decent software based firewall that adds extra security to your PC beyond that of your broadband router.

Comodo Firewall-

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.c..._firewall.html

I prefer this firewall over Zonealarm's free software for users who are comfortable with adjusting settings. Comodo has much more reconfigurability then zonealarm. Users who like to set and forget should use ZoneAlarm.


Instant Messaging-

Trillian-

http://www.download.com/Trillian/300...dlPid=10781763


This messaging client allows you to integrate most major chat protocols into one program.


Other-

Comodo Website Verification Engine-

http://www.vengine.com/products/vengine/index.html

This handy tool helps you identify malicious and phishing websites by placing different color borders around your screen. This utility does not take up much memory and is very good at sniffing out bad sites.


Belarc Advisor PC Audit-

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Need to know information about a piece of hardware in your system? need to know which windows patches are installed? Did you forget one of your software products keys? Belarc Advisor tells you all this and more!


Skype-

http://www.skype.com/

Skype is a messaging and voice client that allows unlimited call time for free using your internet connection.

[mikesilvia]

Adaware and SpyBot are great tools and I run them weekly! Great list overall.

[olemissfan20]

thanks for the info.

[stewart20rulz]

I use Zone Alarm Pro. I paid for upgraded software and I've had no problems ever.

[meuandthelot]

Great idea..Thank You

Very useful in both maintaining the integrity and personal information in your system(IE:prevent keystroke loggers, data miners, etc) and keeping it running in tip top fashion ;)

[dallascisco]

Adaware and Spybot have been godsends to me as an IT professional. Some companies still don't fully understand how spyware affects them and don't take measures to stop it. It's helpful to have free tools.

Zonealarm Pro enables alot of features if you know how to use them. Most home users only need the free version which provides an extra layer of protection without much complexity.

I'll be adding more items as I remember them. A couple sites I go to were not working at the time of first post.

[meuandthelot]

I really trust those at Tom Coyote, the techs go through an actual "Online Class" they are second to none at helping with hijackthis logs
http://forums.whatthetech.com/forums.html

Also, bleepingcomputer.com and castlecops.com are very good & trusted resources.

[Aharvey]

I would recommend techsupportforums.com if you suspect you have any kind of virus, spyware, malware, etc. I went there, and they walked me through the steps to completely remove the infected items and clean my system for free. It ended up saving me quite a bit of money, versus paying for someone to come out to my house and fix it. They use some of the programs listed above and offer step-by-step user firendly instructions on how to use them, as well as other powerful and effective tools.

[pootshwan]

awesome list!

[dallascisco]

I've used that forum in the past and agree with you. They are great people. Thanks for sharing!

I would recommend techsupportforums.com if you suspect you have any kind of virus, spyware, malware, etc. I went there, and they walked me through the steps to completely remove the infected items and clean my system for free. It ended up saving me quite a bit of money, versus paying for someone to come out to my house and fix it. They use some of the programs listed above and offer step-by-step user firendly instructions on how to use them, as well as other powerful and effective tools.