Free Software

Anyone who goes on the Internet today or uses email, knows that it's not the same friendly little community it was just a couple years ago. Web sites bombard you with pop up ads, or try to install trojan horses and other malware. Spam represents close to 90% of all email traffic. Phishing, email that tries to get you to give up something: your credit card number, social security number, login ID, etc., by pretending to be a legitimate email, is a daily occurrence for some. Viruses are almost always spread via email, sending themselves out to everyone in the address book of the infected machine. What looks like an attachment from Grandma is actually the newest virus making the rounds.

Here are a few of the programs we use and recommend. Be sure to get the Updates installed before running these,and read through the Help:

Spyware & Adware Protection

Adaware: Freeware, shareware, cookies, media players, interactive content, and file sharing may contain code or components that collect and disseminate information about you and send it to others. They can track your surfing habits, abuse your Internet connection by sending data to a third party, profile your shopping preferences, hijack your browser start page or pages, alter important system files, and can do this without your knowledge or permission. Adaware helps protect your privacy. [ Download Adaware ]

Spybot Search and Destroy: Scan for spyware, adware, hijackers and other malicious software.
Immunization helps protect against reinstall or future install of new programs. [ Download Spybot ]

Spyware Blaster: SpywareBlaster can help keep your system spyware-free and secure, without interfering with the "good side" of the web.And unlike other programs, SpywareBlaster does not have to remain running in the background. [ Download Spyware Blaster ]

Blocking Unwanted Parasites With A Hosts File: You can use a HOSTS file to block ads, banners, cookies, web bugs, and even most hijackers. [ Learn More ]

Dealing With Spam

Spam Pal: SpamPal sits between your email program and your mailbox, checking your email as you retrieve it. Any email messages that SpamPal considers to be spam will be "tagged" with a special header; you simply configure your email client to filter anything with this header into a separate folder and your spam won't be mixed up with the rest of your email anymore. [ Download Spam Pal ]

Spam Cop: Help fight Spam by reporting what you receive. Spam Cop creates a registry of Spam address. This registry is used by many ISPs to block Spam.Be sure to read up on email headers before reporting suspicious email. [ Learn More ]

Mail Washer: Software that helps you stop unwanted e-mails before they get to your computer and into your email program. [ Download Mail Washer ]

Virus Protection

AVG: The free edition of this software is available from Grisoft. It provides good scanning speed as well as things like an event-history log and options for filename extension definitions. AVG users receive regular updates to its antivirus definitions and database. [ Download AVG ]

Avast: The free version of this software (called Home Edition) is a full-featured antivirus package designed exclusively for home users and non-commercial use. Avast also provides free updates to its antivirus definitions and database. [ Download Avast ]

Trend Micro Housecall: This free online virus scanner will not protect your from viruses, but it can help determine if you are infected with a virus [ Trend Micro Housecall ]

Windows Update: Protect your Windows computer system by making sure that your copy of Windows has the latest patches and fixes. [ Microsoft Windows Update ]

For more information, take a look at our Security page or visit the Spyware Warrior.