I thought it would be a good idea to get a list of useful programs that we could keep here. If a mod comes across this - could you sticky it please. It would be quite helpful. I'm bound to have missed some programs, so if there is some that you think should be on this list - post here or PM me and I'll add them to the list.

With all these programs, there is no right or wrong one to use. Many of these programs are free or at least will offer evaluation periods. Try a few of them and see which one you like the best.

Virus Scanners

If you don't have a virus scanner on your PC - get one and fast. New viruses are released every week and some scan spread all around the world in a matter of hours. The news nowadays is constantly filled with talks of new viruses trying to do this and that. The best way of putting a stop to them is to have a virus checker constantly running on your PC. Here are a few to select from:

Norton Antivirus - One of the most popular virus scanners out there. My personal choice.
McAfee VirusScan - Also another of the more popular virus scanners out there.
Eset Nod32 Antivirus
Kaspersky Antivirus
Kaspersky Online virus checker - Kaspersky also offer a free, online virus check for those who don't want to buy a virus scanner (tisk tisk).
AVG Antivirus


Firewalls

Firewalls are another great way to stop many threats out there on the internet today. A firewall will only let programs send/receive if you say it can. This way you can make sure that your internet browser can access the internet, but any nasty spyware that sneaks in won't be able to. Windows XP comes with a built in firewall but if you don't have XP, or want more control, consider the following.

ZoneAlarm - Very user friendly but still powerful. Comes in several version - including a free one
McAfee Personal Firewall
Norton Personal Firewall
Sygate Personal Firewall - Free for personal use


Spyware Removal Tools

Do you keep getting annoying adverts popping up while surfing the internet? Does your browser keep setting your homepage to some rubbish? Well then you have some spyware on your PC my friend. Try downloading one of these bad boys to get rid of it,

Adaware - Along with Spyware: S&D, a must have on your PC. Looks good, updated regularly.
Spyware: Search & Destroy - Another great spyware removal tool.

Combined with Adaware, your PC should be adware free.

Also check out the sites for McAfee, Symantec (Norton) etc. for Spyware removal tools as well. You will have to pay for these ones I'm afraid though.

Internet Browsers

Firefox - Unless you have been hiding under a rock somewhere, you should have heard of Firefox. It's a free internet browser that is rapidly taking away market share from IE. It's faster, safer and has a number of nice extras like themes and extensions.
Internet Explorer - Out of fairness I put this here. I think Firefox is much better but IE is still the most widely used.
Opera - Another alternative to IE.
Avant Browser - Before Firefox, this was my browser of choice. It is actually just a wrapper round IE adding some extra features to it like tabbed browsing.

Email Clients

Fed up with Outlook Express? Well why not try on one of these email clients for size.

Mozilla Thunderbird - Firefox's sister program. Lovely email client with tonnes of features. Like Firefox you can download extra themes and extensions to make the app even more appealling,
Pegasus Mail - Some nice features like allowing you to OK attachments before they are downloaded from your email server.



I'll add some more useful programs on here later, but for now - this will do. Some linux programs may also follow I guess. Finally, sorry for being so bias towards Firefox/Thunderbird. As you can tell I'm not Microsoft's biggest fan.

Wendy225

Some decent suggestions,

Have you tried all of the ones you suggested, or if so, have you tried any others out there.

Personally I think Norton and Mcafee miss too many Viruses and other problems that some better virus programs will catch.

I have checked many Virus review websites and Norton and Mcafee no longer occupy the top 2 or 3 spots, there are other better Anti Virus Solutions around now, that outperform Norton and Mcafee, both of which ,take up much more space and resources on your computer than any other anti virus programs.

Here is my complete list, all suggestions here are tried and tested by me, and taken from other top review sites as the best.

I would never suggest Norton or Mcafee, and until you put those 2 up against the rest and actually test them out, you would understand why they fail to beat out some other newer programs.

For Spy ware protection and general help cleaning up the computer and registry, Anti Virus protection and software download websites, old and new game downloads, CD & DVD Burning help,I recommend, the following files, as I have found 1 or even 2 is not always enough, as 1 may find something the others do not, so protect yourself with several programs, if may be a pain, but a necessary one.

I have personally tested each program on this list and I had taken them from the top review sites around the net as ones already chosen as the top performers.

Spyware
Microsoft New SPyware program-Formerly Giant spyware, they bought it out.
Spysweeper
Spybot search and destroy
Adware SE
Aluria's Spyware Eliminator
Spyhunter
&
Spyware Blaster, this one prevents certain items, before they are even installed, it does not clean
Pest Patrol

I would suggest at the very least 3 or more of the above programs.

Registry and Fix and Repair programs
Fix it Utilities 5 this one has an excellent Scandisk, better than the one with your OS
Advanced System Optimizer
Ace Utilities
System Mechanic 5
Registry First Aid
Tuneup Utilities

Any 2 or more of these.

And download the Google toolbar with built in pop up stopper for your browser is good.

And a good solid Anti Virus Program or 2, updated weekly.
PC-Cillin
AVG Anti Virus
Bit defender
etrust EZ Anti virus

Also free online Virus scans
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/licence.php
http://www.thepcmanwebsite.com/virus_help.shtml
http://www.pandasoftware.com/actives..._principal.htm
http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/
http://www.kaspersky.com/scanforvirus
http://www.thefreecountry.com/security/antivirus.shtml

I would suggest using 2 of these.

A good defragging Program or 2
Diskeeper Lite or Even better the full Pro version
Perfect Disk
O&O Defrag V4 Professional Edition 4.0.508

Also run from Start/run type in chkdsk then let that run then type in chkdsk /f to help fix WinXP errors.

Also use the below website, that tests and reviews some of the best programs out for many

different things, they give you side by side comparisons and rate each one in many categories.
http://www.toptenreviews.com/

If you need computer parts try this website
www.newegg.com they are the best and fastest retailer, I have ever dealt with on the net, great service, delivery and solid competitive pricing.

PC Security Checks
http://www.grc.com/

Download sites for reviews and trying out new products
http://www.Soft32.com
http://www.tucows.com
http://www.topshareware.com/
http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/2001-...ml?legacy=cnet
http://www.download.com/

Old Games Downloads & Abandonware

http://www.the-underdogs.org/ No cost, just get a password and join for free, it’s loaded with older computer games and they rate them.

http://www.freeoldies.com/ more of an old game search engine

http://www.argosoft.com/games/dos.html strictly old Dos games

Good Peer 2 Peer file sharing Programs
These are all better and Safer than Kazaa Lite

Ares Installs 1 file that Spyware may detect, but it’s just the program file itself, so ignore it. Good solid file sharing progam.

WinMX Sometimes slower than Ares, but neither install Spyware or Adware.

Bearshare has tons of items and is fast, but it loads down your computer with Spyware, Adware and who knows what else, but for that 1 hard to find file, they may have it, but beware of all the problems.

DVD & CD Burning review, Help and Download sites
http://dvd-burning-software-reviews.com/ mainly reviews DVD software
http://www.burnworld.com/ A very thorough and complete website on burning.
http://www.cdfreaks.com/ Another huge Burning website

Wendy225

Also you suggested some email clients, what about Incredimail.

It runs almost like a Eudora and Ms OUtlook clone, but has so many more options and things to use than those 2, it would be an excellent choice to suggest as an email program.

Also for spyware and such, if you used only the 2 you suggested, you would find yours system most likely infected with things those 2 don't find, I would suggest, 3 or 4 maybe of the top programs available.

psi42

Done.


First, I'm going to second firefox and thunderbird


A few other nice goodies:

gaim: An IM client that talks AIM, MSN, Yahoo, and quite a few more.
naim: Puts other IM clients to shame. I don't know if there is a windows port. The GUI is ncurses, and leave your mouse at the door.

The GIMP image manipulation program. Very nice.
OpenOffice.org office suite.

TightVNC...

bittorrent: The solution to massive file distribution. This program is _NOT_ illegal.

The Open CD: A nice compilation...

Nez

I agree 100% with Wendy on Norton and McAfee.Symantics tech support $2.95 a minute for live info.And I'm in the UK! The software slows all but 3GHZ processors.Now you know why your latest PC goes awol after start-up.Old code dressed up like mutton.New for 2005? A firewall.But hey,at $50 why worry?
And if you want it completly removed,you have to download a 'free' tool from Symantic to finish the job.

McAfee Virus Scan 9.0? Firewall dropped,but for $40 you can get McAfee Firewall Plus.A snip at the price.But not to worry,I'm sure your PC can take the resource strain!!


All the above is my opinion only,and in no way reflects the thoughts and views of any other members of my family or friends.They all use other products anyway!!

I have used the two on seperate computers.One running Windows 98SE,which I use to dual-test products and apps,and the other on my slow? 2.4Ghz XP flavor.Both anti-virus product are not my cup of tea (or coffee).


After a hard day surfing the net,tired,fed up and need to relax?
Then visit the end page....http://www.mythologic.net/end

Wendy225

PC Cillin is an excellent Anti Virus Program, in tests I ran at the computer where I work and from reviews of it online, it found and fixed more Viruses and problems than the other top Anti Virus programs, they offer it in an Excellent Security Suite, that has many good solid programs with it, at a good price, its an easy to use program also.

I also use AVG Anti Virus, which is free, it is nearly as good as PC Cillin, both outperformed NOrton and Mcafee in my tests and many other reviews I have foudn on the net, it seems these 2 previous top performers have dropped the ball slightly, also Panda which use to be a top program has slipped some.

I also love Cyberlinks Bitdefender just as much as Cillin and AVG.

Khalvynnov

So I was surfing on the net today, and I cam across an online spyware remover which works pretty good. The site has a few DL's that you can use to block some stuff apearently (not sure what though) and of couse a full user friendly program that you can buy.
Have any of you used this one before?
What do ya all think of it? Is it good?

Cossack

You know, guys, as a mail, gmail is the best out there. just try it, when someone asks you if you want to get the invitation.

thebriggsdude

nother free and good AV would be clamwin, very powerful and free i might add clamwin checks every single folder, registry files etc. and its regularly updated oh and forgot, its also better then what you pay for, had a friend that ran norton and other av's, well clamwin picked em all up, they were all trojans. and i mean its powerful.
www.clamwin.com, download it and update it then go for it and it'll find em if you have em.

fredg

Hi,
Did anyone mention 2 free ones?

The CWShredder below only applies to CoolWebSearch Spyware, but it does a great job with deleting it.
http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html

Also, CCleaner is a great free cleaner that will clean temp files, others, and some Registry entries no longer used:
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Best wishes,
fredg