Capital PC User Group, Inc. (CPCUG)
Entrepreneurs and Consultants SIG (E&C SIG)
August 16, 2008
CPCUG Recommended Freeware Programs:
Free Tools To Protect and Maintain
Your Windows Vista (and XP) PCs
Speaker: Dennis Courtney, President, CPCUG
AVG Free Anti-VirusAVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is an anti-virus scanner that offers Resident Protection, e-mail Scanner, On-Demand Scanner, and Virus Vault for safe handling of infected files and automatic updates. The free version is limited in features, but includes all basic scanning functionality as well as real-time protection. It uses the same scanning engine as the commercial version; however, updates are provided on a low priority basis.
Download: http://free.avg.com
AnalogX CookieWall allows you to quickly and easily decide which cookies can stay on your system, and which cookies should go. Once you let CookieWall know which ones are unwelcome, it does the rest. CookieWall can be configured to delete cookies as soon as they arrive, to notify you of any new ones, or just queue them up for you to check out at later . CookieWall is currently only compatible with Microsoft Internet Explorer or derived versions (such as NeoPlanet). Netscape-based support (including Firefox) should be available in the near future.
Download: http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/cookie.htm
Comodo Firewall is a personal firewall that filters ingoing and outgoing traffic on your computer. It alerts you of any applications that attempt to connect to the Internet and allows you to permanently or temporarily allow or block the connection. Advanced users can customize the application and TCP/IP rules based on IP address, protocol and destination port; however, this is not required unless you have a reason to customize the rules. In addition to application behavior and network connections, Comodo Firewall also monitors components (.dll files, etc.) that initiate network connections, as well as parent processes and modifications to executables (checksum verification). Other features include attack prevention (port scanning, flooding), adjustable security levels, trusted networks, and activity log. Comodo Firewall is easy to use for novice users, and includes enough flexibility via custom rule settings to allow advanced users to tweak it for their needs. The program requires a free registration after 30 days.
Download: http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
ZoneAlarm provides essential protection for Internet users. Combining the safety of a dynamic firewall with total control over application Internet use, ZoneAlarm gives rock-solid protection against thieves and vandals. ZoneAlarm makes ironclad Internet security easy to use. ZoneAlarm gives you control over the door to your computer. With Stealth Mode enabled, ZoneAlarm’s Firewall renders your computer invisible to the Internet and potential intruders. If you can’t be seen, you can’t be attacked. Because you tell ZoneAlarm how you use your computer, the firewall only allows traffic that you understand and initiate. ZoneAlarm’s firewall provides the ultimate intrusion security for your personal computer. ZoneAlarm also introduces MailSafe, which enables users of ZoneAlarm to detect and control Visual Basic Script attachments to e-mails they receive while ZoneAlarm is running. Free for personal and non-profit use.
Download: http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/catalog/products/zonealarm_free_firewall.jsp
DriveImage XML enables you to create a complete backup image of any logical drive or partition, allowing you to restore your entire operating system along with installed programs, user settings, registry, and all. You can restore the image later to the same or a different drive, or choose to copy the drive directly to another drive. The program includes an image explorer that lets you open previously created backup images and extract individual files. DriveImage XML can use volume locking or Volume Shadow Services (VSS) to create the backup image from within Windows, without the need to reboot. The program stores your images in .dat files, using XML format, allowing you to process them with third-party applications.
Download: http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm
SpamBayes is an intelligent spam filter and message classifier for Outlook (and some other programs). It automatically categorizes your incoming messages into “good,” “spam,” and “unsure,” and sorts them into the associated folder. The program uses an advanced bayesian filtering method that requires no manual setup and gets smarter the more e-mail it processes. It includes a training wizard that can be used to feed it some spam messages, otherwise it will learn from your incoming e-mail as you go. If it misses (or incorrectly classifies) a message, you can just click the toolbar button and make the message “spam” or “good,” and SpamBayes will automatically learn from it, avoiding similar mistakes in the future. The program is easy to set up and use, and is probably one of the most accurate filtering tools we have come across, with a detection rate of close to 100 percent.
Download: http://spambayes.sourceforge.net
Auslogics Registry Defrag can help you speed up your computer by defragmenting the Windows Registry, thereby removing gaps, reducing its size, and making it faster to access for applications. You will need to reboot your PC to apply the defrag results.
Download: http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/registry-defrag
Wise Registry Cleaner scans the Windows registry for invalid or obsolete information and presents you with a list of potential problems. To help you decide which items to delete, the program classifies them as “Safe to fix” or “Not fully safe to fix.” A built-in registry backup enables you to undo any changes, should problems arise from a clean up.
Download: http://www.wisecleaner.com/download.html
Advanced WindowsCare Personal EditionAdvanced WindowsCare is designed to provide one-click care for your PC. It includes a quick spyware scan, adware blocking, privacy cleanup, and several system scans that can find and fix invalid registry entries and clean up temporary files. The program also analyzes your system configuration and suggests changes to optimize performance. Advanced users can review all changes that are about to be made and make adjustments as needed. A restore option is provided in conjunction with XP System Restore. Advanced WindowsCare provides a convenient way for non-technical users to perform routine maintenance and apply system optimization tweaks without the need to become a computer geek. The program can also be scheduled to run automatically. A Pro Edition offering additional optimization features is available for purchase.
Download: http://www.iobit.com/advancedwindowscareper.html?Str=download
SmartDefrag helps defragment your hard drives more efficiently than any other product on the market—free or not.
Features of this powerful, award-winning defragmenter program include:
- An “Install It and Forget It” feature that works automatically and quietly in the background on your computer.
- The ability to constantly keep your hard drive safe, error-free, and running at its top speed and optimum performance.
- Elimination of slowdowns, freezeups, and crashes.
SmartDefrag, designed for Windows Vista, XP, and 2000, is 100 percent free award-winning software for personal, home, and small business use. It is 100 percent safe from spyware, adware, and virus malware.
Download: http://www.iobit.com/iobitsmartdefrag.html
CPCUG Entrepreneurs and Consultants SIG home page
Last Revised: Aug. 18, 2008