Mount Airy Learning Tree's
Computer Volunteer Group


Free security sofware and utilities

Legends:
+ features, good points;  - problems;  * info
Links  I. additional information;  D. download
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ADVICE, NEWSLETTERS & FORUMS:

Bytes in Brief

Bytes in Brief; monthly newsletter about Internet & Technology law & public policy.

FREE ONLINE SECURITY SCANS:

Symantec Security Check:

"Security Check is a free service designed to help you understand your computer's exposure to online security intrusions and virus threats..."
* requires Internet Explorer 5.0+ or Netscape 4.5+
I/D. security.symantec.com/ssc/home.asp

Trend Micro virus scan:

I/D. housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_corp.asp
Firefox browser friendly http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/

Panda ActiveScan virus scan

* by Panda Software; free online scan; $ full software version.
I/D. www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

RAV AntiVirus scan:

* Requires IE 4.0+; uses Microsoft ActiveX Technology
* When using this service for the first time, you must download and install over 1MB of required files
I/D. www.ravantivirus.com/scan/howto-scan.php

ShieldsUp port scan:

+ Scans your TCP/IP ports for vulnerabilities:
I/D. www.grc.com

Webroot Spy-audit:

+ Free scan for spyware/adware
- Only scans and reports back, does not remove unless you purchase product
* Still good to test if your other strategies missed anything
D. webroot.com/services/spyaudit_03.htm

SOFTWARE:

SpamPal:

"SpamPal: The Free, Open Source Anti-Spam Alternative"
Review: www.winplanet.com/article/2780-.htm
D. www.winplanet.com/file/19225.htm

AVG Anti-Virus:

+ Free for individuals, non-commercial use.
I. www.grisoft.com/us/us_avg_new_free_edition.php
D. free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/

Sygate Personal Firewall:

+ Protect from hackers, Trojan horses, and DOS attacks
+ Features: deep-packet inspection, anti-application-hijacking, a log dampener, and enhanced logging
+ Gets great reviews; free version for personal/home use; Pro ver. for $
- Some users had problems with ver.5.6 using Win XP SP2, fixed by reverting back to 5.5
I. ver 5.6: www.download.com/Sygate-Personal-Firewall/3000-2092_4-10332265.html
ver 5.5: www.download.com/Sygate-Personal-Firewall-Pro/3000-10435_4-10238422.html
D. smb.sygate.com/download_buy.htm
www.download.com/Sygate-Personal-Firewall/3000-2092_4-10332265.html

Ad-Aware SE:

I. www.lavasoftusa.com/l
D. www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10045910.html

Spybot Search & Destroy:

I. spybot.info/en/spybotsd/index.html
D. spybot.info/en/download/index.html

Microsoft Anti-Spyware beta

* Windows 2000/XP
+ free, beta version of Microsoft's new antispyware solution, designed to remove existing spyware infestations and prevent others from installing.
I/D. www.download.com/Microsoft-Anti-Spyware-Beta/3000-8022_4-10353597.html?tag=nl.e415-1

Hijackthis:

+ When all else fails in spyware/adware tracking, start again with Hijackthis
+ Gives a list of possible registry problems that require additional research
+ Good reviews, highly rated from Download.com
I. www.download.com/HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10307556.html
D. computercops.biz/downloads-file-328.html
www.download.com/3001-8022_4-10307556.html

Spider.com:

+ Clear secret IE files; extra hidden files of everywhere you've been since the first day you got on the Internet. Including history, cookies & temporary files still there even if you manually removed them. These files are called "index.dat" and can only be removed under DOS.
+ This program will show you what's in the files, allow you to save to a text file if you wish, then completely erase them from your system.
I/D. www.fsm.nl/ward/


Reference/Resource pages on the MALT/CVG web site:

Security Software & Utilites: security.html
More security info: protectpc.html
Utilities, Upgrade & Repair: utilities.html
Web Design & Programming Tools: tech_tools.html
Productivity Software: productivity.html

Home: index.html


Notes:

c|net Download.com

Free software formats:


Return to the MALT CVG Home Page: MALT Computer Volunteer Group

Contact:

Email: contact Ken with comments, corrections or additions.

Blog: link to MCVG blog