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This is a list of programs that I use and recommend to people to keep your computer clean and protected from the idiots that maliciously try to steal your identity and mess up your computer as well as some other useful programs (in no particular order). It is not a complete list of the software I use. In the modern computing age, you need to be ready for anything. In a lot of cases, I use several types of tools to do some of the same things as other programs. It's better to be safe than sorry. Personally I have a tendency to download and install / uninstall a lot of programs. I like to make sure that I keep my computers clean of malware and free of temporary and internet files.
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In no way am I implying that these programs are better than others that do the same thing. These are just some of the programs I've found that do what I want and need them do to, do what they say they will, and are my personal preferences. These are presented to give you an idea of what you can use help keep your computer clean. You'll notice that in some cases I use one or two different applications to perform the same functions. No Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware or file cleaning application is a panacea. One program will find traces of files that other programs miss. This isn't to say that one program is better than the other. I prefer to be protected in as many ways as I possibly can. I decided to list these programs because they work well for me.
Note - once you install the majority of the security programs listed here, be sure to check for updates before running them (most automatically do upon installation). It's a good idea to keep your Windows updated on a regular basis as well.
Please do not e-mail me about Norton’s or any other anti-virus program. These are just my personal preferences. I’ve heard good and bad about every anti-virus program, (and most everything else for that matter), and like these programs because they are simple to set up and use, and they work well for me on my home computers.
eTrust EZ AntiVirus 2006 - from computer associates - http://www.my-etrust.com/
I like this particular anti-virus program because it works well, doesn't use a lot of my system resources and is updated several times a day. It's very easy to use too.
eTrust EZ Firewall - from computer associates - http://www.my-etrust.com/
I use EZ firewall because it integrates (obviously) well with EZ antivirus and it works well. You should protect your computer with a firewall whether it's free or not. There are several free alternatives available too.
Pest Patrol 2007 - from computer associates - http://www.my-etrust.com/
I always scan my system at least once a week and check for updates. I prefer the custom scan because it digs deeper. I find it works well. If you're using another anti-spyware program along with this one, make sure only one is running with real time protection so you don't cause your system to crash.
Spybot Search & Destroy 1.4- free/donation ware - http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/
Spybot Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware of different kinds from your computer. It features a basic default mode and an advanced mode. One of the things I like the best about Spybot S&D is that it can lock your home page and keep programs from changing it, plus it monitors and protects the registry and the host files. The advanced mode offers more functionality for advanced users but the basic mode for finding and removing malware is hard to beat. I check for updates and run the program at least once a week. Note...be careful with the Immunize options.
Ad-Aware SE personal edition 1.06 - free - http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
Ad-Aware SE personal scans your RAM (random access memory), registry, hard drives, and external storage devices for known data-mining, advertising, and tracking components and helps remove them. Used in conjunction with Spybot Search and Destroy, it can help keep your computer clean. I check for updates and run the program once a week.
You can download it from here: http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button
Spyware blaster - (free) - enters thousands of malicious sites in your restricted section of your browser. Download it, run the update, and then enable the full protection. It does an EXCELLENT job of protecting your computer - http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/ I check for updates weekly. Another excellent free tool available from javacool software is the spyware guard program. It offers real time protection from spyware
Spyware Doctor from PCTools.com - Efficient and inexpensive protection - Install and update it. It does an excellent job of monitoring your system and notifies you of any attempted changes to system files - http://www.pctools.com/ The program checks for updates every time you boot your system.
There are two programs I use (both freeware) from emsisoft software:
HiJackFree - http://www.hijackfree.com/en/ gives you control over autoruns, processes, bho's, ports, startup programs and more
A-squared free - http://www.emsisoft.com/en/ excellent trojan and malware scanner. There is an Anti-Malware personal edition you can purchase that gives you real time protection.
Essential PIM - Personal Information Manager - There is a Pro version available (which I use and recommend) and a freeware version available that does an awesome job of storing information and addresses. It also offers password protection. Extremely easy to customize address book fields - http://www.essentialpim.com/
The Ultimate Trouble Shooter from answersthatwork.com - shareware/commercial - a nice little tool that helps monitor startup programs and services and other helpful options that allow you to maintain control over your computer - http://www.answersthatwork.com/
I use three utilities available for free from sysinternals.com:
RootKit Revealer - http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/RootkitRevealer.html an advanced rootkit detection utility
Autoruns - http://www.sysinternals.com/utilities/autoruns.html gives you control over auto-starting locations and what starts with Windows
Process Explorer - http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/ProcessExplorer.html gives you control over all processes that run in Windows
There are numerous other useful utilities there as well - http://www.sysinternals.com/
Window Washer 6 from Webroot Software - I've spent hundreds of dollars trying numerous programs that clean temporary files from computers. This one is worth the money...easy to use and configure - it's available from http://www.webroot.com/ Home of spy sweeper also, another quality program.
Acronis True Image 9.0 - complete disk imaging and back up program - easy to use and it works well...makes backing up your computer simple - http://www.acronis.com/
Ace Utilities from Acelogix software - Similar to Window Washer, but has a few more functions including a registry cleaner - available from http://www.acelogix.com/ inexpensive, easy to use and it works well.
Add/Remove Pro 2 - freeware - gives you more detailed uninstall information than the Add/Remove Program applet in Windows. You can remove invalid uninstalled software entries as well - Click the freeware link at http://www.superwin.com/index.htm Easy to use.
Advanced Uninstaller Pro 2006 - (along with Innovative System Optimizer which has to be purchased separately) from Innovative Solutions - I use this one primarily to uninstall programs. It has a registry cleaner, and other useful tools to help keep your start menu clean, and can clean temporary files as well - available at http://www.innovative-sol.com/
Registry Mechanic from PCtools.com - Easy to configure and use, and it works well - available at http://www.pctools.com/ as well as Spyware Doctor and other quality programs.
JV16 Power Tools 2006 from Macecraft.com - A suite to help keep your computer clean. I especially like the registry cleaner and other registry tools - available from http://www.macecraft.com/ the jv16 power tools were free when they were first developed. There are a couple of registry tools and some other software available from here as well.
RegScrub XP - freeware - another excellent free tool to help clean and maintain your registry - the home page for the product is under development and should be open soon - you can find a description of the program and download it from http://www.sofotex.com/RegScrubXP-download_L7528.html
RegSeeker - freeware - another useful free registry cleaning tool - available from http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm easy to use and has a lot of useful features.
Google Toolbar - free - integrates with your internet explorer. One of the best pop up blockers I've used. Allows you to search the web anytime anywhere - http://toolbar.google.com/?promo=mor-tb-en
Lookinmypc - http://www.lookinmypc.com/ - from the creators of cybersitter - complete PC profiling and diagnostic report - everything you want to know about what's installed and running on your system and so much more including serial numbers for all your installed software. An excellent tool for tracking down spyware too. Free
Form1 Builder from softSWOT.com - a simple to use form creation tool is used on my contact me page. The company responds quickly to any problem you may encounter and gives you exceptional customer service - http://www.softswot.com/
Zoom Search Engine - Easy to use and efficient. You can search using .php, .asp, .cgi or javascript. I tried the majority of the search engines on the web design help links and even bought half of them. What sold me on zoom was the ability to jump to the first location of the result page if you have a recent javascript enabled browser. There is a free version available if you have a small site - http://www.wrensoft.com/
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