Security For Win XP and Vista Users –
Note: All of these programs have free versions. Don’t get suckered into paying for any “Pro” versions! These are reputable, safe sites. Don’t go just anywhere to get freeware!
Always quickly install new MS XP and Vista patches!
Comodo Firewall
A true firewall — Windows’ “firewall” is NOT a true firewall. (Remember to write down all the *.exe and *.dll programs (and processes) you block!!! – Avoid clashes, use only one conventional firewall per machine; go to “help” to turn off Windows’ “firewall”):
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/download_firewall.html
Mozilla Firefox
The safer browser:
http://majorgeeks.com/downloads5.html
Mozilla Thunderbird
The preferred mail “client”:
http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?id=10&sort=0
MozBackup
(save Firefox and Thunderbird data in a CD-able Backup folder!!!):
http://mozbackup.jasnapaka.com/
Mailwasher
The most flexible mail filter — it pays bigtime in the long run! (Stick with the free version!) Don’t use the Thunderbird robot “spam” filter:
http://majorgeeks.com/MailWasher_d2054.html
KeePass Password Protection
Don’t become hostage to a mail “client” for this! (save key-file in a backup folder!):
http://keepass.info/
UK’s Kalender
(British Product. Probably works with Vista):
http://freenet-homepage.de/ukrebs/
Belarc Adviser
You will definitely need to know your basic system specs. if you ever run into any problems, so save them to a floppy or backup folder!:
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
a-squared Free
Scan once a month for Trojans (necessary!) You will obtain a FREE license key by E-mail after the registration. The license key is valid for 1 year:
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/
Spybot Search and Destroy
Scan once a month for spybots:
http://freewarearena.com/html/Downloads/details/id=1138.html
Avast! Anti-virus
Top-notch virus protection for free, after your (other) payed service expires. (Run once a week — To avoid clash, use only one Antivirus per machine — Don’t install until the previous antivirus is uninstalled.):
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Avast_Home_Edition_d1968.html
CCleaner Slim
Cleans up (only) totally useless junk on hard drive. No intrusive Yahoo tool bar! Stick with the free version:
http://majorgeeks.com/CCleaner_Slim_No_Toolbar_d4191.html
MS Scan Disk
Use it once a week!
Diskeeper Lite
Probably installable on Vista. 10x faster than MS defrag. Be happy with the free version! (defrag once a week) From a very professional outfit. (Always run Scandisk first, of course.):
http://majorgeeks.com/Diskeeper_Lite_d1207.html
Easy Cleaner
Take control of programs that START UP without your consent (very important!):
http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/
Free Spell
Check your spelling in any text program. Get Free Spell!:
http://freewarearena.com/html/Downloads/details/id=612.html
MS Wordpad
Search ” Wordpad.exe ” in “C:”; create a shortcut to that. Save text as “Save as” type ‘RTF’”. It will pay!
7-Zip
Winzip will drive you nuts. Try 7-Zip. Use the “GZip” or “Zip” compression method (Text files get the most compression). the 7-Zip compression mode takes too long):
http://sourceforge.net/projects/sevenzip/
Autorun.inf Editor
In “Local Settings”, you can make stealth spyware infested CDs, etc. NOT RUN AUTOMATICALLY! (Only defense against corporate rootkits! — Scan new disks from “drives” in “My Computer” with antivirus before running!):
http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptautorun.asp#Download
KompoZer
Please learn about HTML! The easiest way is to get the great HTML editor, KompoZer. (It’s avilable in Linux, OS X, and Windows.) (Always write important documents in KompoZer “Preview” mode (it’s HTML), not RTF or PDF — you will not be sorry for doing so!):
http://sourceforge.net/projects/kompozer
Anne — Leave an identifying comment after you copy & paste this stuff to a findable notepad note!
Good luck!
