Free Software and Utilities that aid computer Safety

[Smage]

After searching around I didn't see any thread on free and useful software that protect the computer and thus I decided to make a thread on free and useful software that aid your computer safety. Hope it would be useful to you all. I don't think download links is allow here, so just google the key terms and you will find the website to install.

 

ALL THIS SOFTWARE LISTED BELOW ARE FREE

 

Anti-Virus Software

 

 

 

I rank the anti-virus software according to how effectively can they churn out results and detect virus, and how much memory usage did they use

 

 

 

1. Avast Home Edition

 

 

 

Avast Home Edition is a complete ICSA & Checkmark certified antivirus, Checkmark certified anti-spyware & anti-rootkit package. Avast includes the following components: On demand scanner with skinnable simple interface, just select what do you want to scan in which way and press the Play button; On access scanner, special providers to protect the most of available e-mail clients; Instant messaging--ICQ, Miranda; Network traffic--intrusion detection, lightweight firewall; P2P protection for Kazaa, BitTorrent; Web shield--monitors and filters all HTTP traffic; NNTP scanner--scans all Usenet Newsgroup traffic and all operations with files on PC; Boot time scanner--scans disks in the same way and in the same time as Windows CHKDSK does.

 

 

 

I find that it have among the highest detection rate of virus and trojan among the free anti-virus. Also downloading new defination is fast and lagless and it don't hog system resource. Plus, you can also customise the skin you want your anti-virus to have. However, during scanning, you will need to baby-sit it, that means whenever it found a virus, it will pause it's scan and ask you for permission on what to do.

 

 

 

2. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

 

 

 

AVG Free Edition is the well-known antivirus protection tool. AVG Free is available free of charge to home users for the life of the product. Rapid virus database updates are available for the lifetime of the product, thereby providing the high level of detection capability that millions of users around the world trust to protect their computers. AVG Free is easy to use and will not slow your system down (low system resource requirements. Highlights include automatic update functionality, the AVG Resident Shield, which provides real-time protection as files are opened and programs are run, free Virus Database Updates for the lifetime of the product, and AVG Virus Vault for safe handling of infected files.

 

 

 

AVG is pretty decent, but AVG's virus system scan takes more system resource that Avast and it take longer to download a defination file.

 

 

 

3. Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus

 

 

 

Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus is a comprehensive, easy to use antivirus program, designed to offer reliable free of charge virus protection to home-users only. Avira offers: Extensive Malware Recognition of viruses, Trojans, backdoor programs, worms, etc. Automatic incremental updates of antivirus signatures, engine and entire software. Permanent virus protection, with Virus Guard real time monitoring. Install and configuration in just a couple of steps. Virus protection against known and unknown threats, using an advanced heuristic system. Scheduler where you can set the scanner to make automatic virus scans or updates on your system. Forum and phone support, Knowledge Base with virus descriptions available on Web site. Rootkit Detection and Removal. Version 8 adds an enhanced interface, a modularized AV-search engine for improved scan performance, an integrated failsafe security system, SMTP support for AntiVir MailGuard and a new Fast Activation Tool (FACT).

 

 

 

This anti-virus is what it is say here. BUT defination file have to be downloaded manual and there is very few server for free anti-virus user, so by the time you have the new defination file, it might be already too late. Also, removing this anti-virus is a pain, you need to use some software uninstaller to remove it (I will recommend one) later in the thread, and after removing it, it left traces of it in the registry.

 

 

 

 

 

Spyware Removers

 

I rank the spyware removers according to how they remove a huge group of spywares (Trusted Anti-Virus) and based on their performance and ranked them. (Trusted Anti-Virus is a Malware and Spyware combine, it could disable your window task manager, change your browser setting, terminate your spyware from scanning it, it is very very annoying.

 

 

 

1. Spyware Doctor Starter Edition

 

Spyware Doctor Starter Edition is anti-spyware software that provides advanced technology designed especially for people, not just experts. It is automatically configured out of the box to give you optimal protection with limited interaction so all you need to do is install it for immediate and ongoing protection. Protection against: spyware, adware, spyware trojans, keyloggers, identity theft, hijackers, tracking threats, spybots, rogue anti-spyware, unwanted software, phishing, pop-ups, and bad Web sites. Starter Edition is a free version of Spyware Doctor, with full scan and remove, basic real-time and no time limit.

 

 

 

It does it's scan very fast and quick, it counter Trusted Anti-Virus attempt to terminate it, it is the type of spyware where you can install it and left it there alone and it will automatically install updates and scan and remove the spyware for you.

 

 

 

2. Ad-Aware 2008

 

With the ability to scan your RAM, Registry, hard drives, and external storage devices for known data-mining, advertising, and tracking components, Ad-Aware 2008 can clean your system easily, allowing you to maintain a higher degree of privacy while you surf the Web.

 

 

 

Ad-Aware 2008 includes an improved threat detection, enhanced rootkit removal system, faster updates, Lavasoft ThreatWork to submit suspicious files for analysis, and is now compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Vista.

 

 

 

Some say it should rank the top, as it have one of the most aggressive way of detecting spyware and adware, but in term of user ease of using it: it is not that user friendly as definations file need to be done manually and when scanning it simply hog too much system resources and make it very unfriendly towards multi-task. In some case, not only does it take ages to scan and many a time the spyware remover would just "lag" there and not responding.

 

 

 

3. Spyware Terminator

 

 

 

Spyware Terminator includes Real-Time Protection, HIPS, and antivirus. Effectively remove spyware, adware, trojans, keyloggers, home page hijackers, and malware threats even dangerous threats like Look2Me, BetterInternet, VX2, and CWS. Spyware Terminator is easy-to-use, requires minimal PC resources, and performs ultra fast scans. Protect your computer with powerful real-time protection shield, advanced system scanning and safe quarantine for found spyware. Scan your computer manually or schedule full system sweeps. Perform in-depth scans of your computer's hard drives, memory, process, registry and cookies to seek out and remove all known spyware threats. Includes optional Web Security Guard which displays website reviews and threat level to help identify potentially dangerous Web sites.

 

 

 

It does what it says and it scan very fast and effectively, but it's detection rate is weaker than Ad-Aware and Spyware Doctor, the most useful functions is the real-time sheild as it basically mointor every simple process and start-up that happen and you could prevent trojan from installing to your computer. It is better than Spyware Blaster in this case.

 

 

 

Spybot Search & Destroy, a few years back it was one of the top, spyware removers but now time have change. It is now over-rated now as it not only fail to prevent and remove that spyware I install, it crash my computer over and over again. And somehow it deleted my windows installer and labelled it as a spyware.

 

 

 

The cleanup process was rendered extremely tedious by infighting between Spybot's two personalities. To clean up many found threats, the program had to delete the Registry items that caused the threat to launch at start-up. But the real-time protection module reported the Registry change attempt and asked me whether to allow itevery time! Worse, whenever Spybot found an in-use file, it created a Registry entry to delete that file at the next reboot. Here, too, the real-time protection module flagged each change and asked me whether to allow it. Talk about the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing! On one system I had to answer more than 60 of these pop-up queries. Why can't it just quietly take care of business, like the competition? In order to make sure it had the best opportunity to succeed at malware cleanup, I carefully checked the "Remember this decision" box and clicked "Allow change" every time it asked whether to allow its own Registry changes. But wow, what a waste of time!

 

That is what happen to me too.

 

 

 

Another quote, which mentions about Spybot verus Malware, I will recommend some good Malware Removers Later

 

 

 

In one case, Spybot got into a protracted knock-down, drag-out fight with a malware sample trying to install. It accumulated so many small warning windows that they filled over half the screen, and the system became completely unusable, with all resources being devoted to the fight between Spybot and the malware sample. In the end, for keeping malware off of a clean system, Spybot scored a dismal 1.2 of 10

 

 

 

Alright, I hope now you see what Spybot S & D isn't that good anymore.

 

 

 

 

 

Malware Remover

 

Malware, a portmanteau word from the words malicious and software, is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code. Many computer users are unfamiliar with the term, and often use "computer virus" for all types of malware, including true viruses. I just find it like somewhere in between spyware and anti-virus.

 

 

 

1. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

 

Malwarebytes' 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.

 

 

 

One of the best free Malware remover out there.

 

 

 

2. A-squared Free

 

Scans your computer for malicious software (Malware), including Trojan Horses, Dialers, Worms, Spyware, and Adware. A-squared Free is specialized in finding and removing them securely. The disk scan checks all files on your system disks for Malware. The scanner scans for Spyware Traces. Currently more than 1.2 million different types of Malware may be detected and removed.Free daily online updates provides the best protection.

 

 

 

Detection rate is decent, it terms of Spyware, Adware, Malware and virus it is like a "jack of all trades".

 

 

 

 

 

Now it is prevention better than cure part. The first part of prevention would be the our "first-line of defence" firewalls.

 

 

 

 

 

Firewalls

 

If you want a strong security foundation, you'll need sturdy walls to keep invaders out. The first line of defense against would-be attackers on your computer system is a strong firewall program.

 

 

1. ZoneAlarm Firewall

 

 

 

ZoneAlarm is designed to protect your DSL- or cable-connected PC from hackers. This program includes four interlocking security services: a firewall, an application control, an Internet lock, and Zones. The firewall controls the door to your computer and allows only traffic you understand and initiate. The Internet lock blocks Internet traffic while your computer is unattended or while you're not using the Internet, and it can be activated automatically with your computer's screensaver or after a set period of inactivity. Zones monitor all activity on your computer and alert you when a new application attempts to access the Internet. Version 7.0.483 is a bug fixing release.

 

 

 

It is good but over-rate. If your computer domain is some Internet or Public Domain than don't use this firewall. The vista-version of this firewall is horrible, much worse than the XP version.

 

 

 

2. Comodo Firewall Pro

 

 

 

Comodo Firewall Pro is aimed to secure your system against internal attacks such as Trojan viruses / malicious software and external attacks by hackers. Safeguard your personal data through a simple user friendly single click interface offering full immunity to attack. Comodo Firewall Pro helps you connect in a secure way to the internet and global networks.

 

 

 

As good as Zone Alarm, maybe even better, but when you are installing something, you would fare better switching to installation mode otherwise, you will get nag every few seconds.

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative line of Defence

 

Firewall, cannot defence every single aspect, below are some free software which are equally as good.

 

 

 

1. SnoopFree Privacy Shield

 

 

 

SnoopFree Privacy Shield will tell you if someone is spying on you, although the program doesn't fully uninstall nosy applications. While its interface is dull, this fast-acting program immediately alerts you when a spy module is found and gives you options to allow or disallow the uncovered application. It worked beautifully in evaluations, instantly exposing the monitoring tools we installed to test it. SnoopFree Privacy Shield revealed the names of the spy tools, their corresponding file paths, and even pinpointed which files from the spy program captured keyloggers, screenshots, and opened windows. You'll be able to instantly remove the files, blocking their logging efforts altogether, but once files are deleted it requires a system reboot to take effect. Although this application doesn't uninstall monitoring applications for you, it eliminates the need for the software's password by going after the files. Any user concerned with security and privacy should consider adding this simple, yet effective freeware program to his or her security toolkit.

 

 

 

^^^^

 

 

 

2. WinPatrol

 

 

 

Clean up your Taskbar, ActiveX and Startup programs. WinPatrol monitors and exposes adware, keyloggers, spyware, worms, cookies, and other malicious software. This program puts you back in control of your computer with no need for constant updates. WinPatrol's goal is to help you better understand what programs are running on your computer and to alert you to any new programs added without your permission. Unlike traditional security programs, WinPatrol doesn't scan your hard drive searching for previously identified threats. Instead, it uses a heuristic behavioral approach, taking a snapshot of your critical system resources, then alerting you to any changes that occur without your knowledge. New versions alert users to new ActiveX installations and provides a way to disable existing ActiveX controls when vulnerabilities are discovered.

 

 

 

Works like Hjackthis, I prefer WinPatrol over it, much more user friendly.

 

 

 

3. ProcessGuard

 

ProcessGuard is a powerful new type of security system that secures Windows at the lowest (kernel) level, allowing it to provide the maximum possible security. An intuitive interface makes the program very easy to use, and a comprehensive help file explains everything in full detail for those wanting to know more. ProcessGuard gives you full control over which programs are allowed to run and prevents even the stealthiest rootkit Trojan horses from being able to install malicious drivers. Virtually all known code/process-related attacks can be prevented, including keyloggers, firewall leak tests, process termination, code and DLL injection, thread hijacking, and Windows File Protection attacks.

 

 

 

 

Works well, but be sure to disable if you want to use the Task Manager to shut down a programme.

[Smage]

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[sloter]

Not another guide. :shame: I suppose you want a sticky too?

[Da Pirates]

Avast ftw :twss:

[Smage]

Not another guide. :shame: I suppose you want a sticky too?

 

 

 

As long as it is on the first page it is fine. Sticky doesn't help much, technology changes all the time, a few months later there would probably be new and better software that will replace those that I've mention. And I can't gurantee that I will be updating and testing the lastest security software forever.

[sloter]

Not another guide. :shame: I suppose you want a sticky too?

 

 

 

As long as it is on the first page it is fine. Sticky doesn't help much, technology changes all the time, a few months later there would probably be new and better software that will replace those that I've mention. And I can't gurantee that I will be updating and testing the lastest security software forever.

 

Hate to break it to you but this thread will die soon.

[Smage]

Not another guide. :shame: I suppose you want a sticky too?

 

 

 

As long as it is on the first page it is fine. Sticky doesn't help much, technology changes all the time, a few months later there would probably be new and better software that will replace those that I've mention. And I can't gurantee that I will be updating and testing the lastest security software forever.

 

Hate to break it to you but this thread will die soon.

 

 

 

Last thread in the front page is 30th september last I check, so it still be able to last a few days. Hate to burst your bubble, I create this thread to inform other people of some surprising good and free software. I hope I have "broaden" your narrow-mind a little, that I spend my time creating thread that might help, instead of spending my time flaming other people.

[thrash-boy]

First of all i have some personal constructive criticism about your choices (good idea to read it)

 

 

 

i would put comodo firewall above zonealarm. I dont have any trouble with any nagging, and i have it on safe mode. the defence+ feature it comes with i have disabled though. it asked you like it should, but it doesn't keep nagging you over and over every second about the same thing.

 

 

 

also there's absolutely nothing wrong with spybot S&D. if it did think your windows installer or whatever was spyware and tagged it then you shouldn't have been stupid enough to not go through the list after the scan (THIS IS BEFORE IT DELETES/CHANGES ANYTHING) and untick whatever it was that shouldn't have been ticked.

 

the resident application that runs 24/7 i also find great.

 

 

 

im not really surprised you didn't go through the list though with your comment on how AdAware 2008 is so not user friendly. Its extremely user friendly, simply load it up, click update to check definitions (and update if outdated), start a scan (about 3 clicks and 5 seconds of your time) and finally check what it found (which you obviously don't do with spybot S&D) and remove it.

 

the time adaware takes to scan isn't really a problem. its not like it takes all year. i would prefer it take a while than it miss something that could steal my bank account details or something.

 

 

 

also ive never used and never plan to use winpatrol but hijackthis is user friendly and anyone with half a brain could operate it

 

 

 

Now that's all that done, i have to say you could at least source where you got some of them opening paragraphs for each section from with a link something like this: [source]

 

just in case you forgot ill list where each of them italic paragraphs you copyed came from:

 

*Malware remover: http://www.windowsreference.com/free-ut ... dows-user/ (which also appears to have been copied from Wikipedia. that is 3rd hand info your using)

 

*Firewalls: http://solo1685.spaces.live.com/Blog/cn ... wsignin1.0

 

These were found with a simple google search

 

 

 

and finally (you may not be able to help this) your English grammar is a bit off at times. English may not be your first language in which case just ignore this, its not your fault. if it is and your only typing like that to save time or something, don't, i had to read several bits a couple of times to get what you were trying to say.

 

 

 

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Thats all the criticism over, which i hope you read. You have done a good job of making this guide but there are a few things which need improving.

 

overall good job and good on ya for having a go! :thumbsup: no ones perfect and im sure if i was to write a guide now you could find something wrong with it, but overall it was good for a first guide!