WINDOWS FREEWARE PROGRAMS
I tried to only use trusted sites when downloading files as they usually run a virus check on the programs before they allow them to be distributed. As a further precaution I also checked out any program that I was thinking of downloading by way of Google. If there is any dubiety about the software it should show up on doing a search.
If your computer has slowed down or it crashes sometimes it could be that your registry has become corrupted or it might be that you have picked up a virus.
Get the anti-virus free-ware that I have listed below and arm your PC against any unwanted intrusions.
I hope that it helps that I have given a brief description of each piece of software. With any luck you will soon have your computer working at it's optimum and you will know that you are not harboring any add-ware, spy ware or some virus or other. Each of the anti-virus programs that I have included seem to look at different aspects of the computer. I found that they complimented each other very well. I used to use them all on a regular basis.
ANTI-VIRUS PROGRAMS
A2FREE: This is a standalone Virus checker program. It needs to be run by itself after being updated with the latest virus signatures. It is automatically set to do a full scan and if it finds a virus it gives you the option to either quarantine or delete the offending file.
I always quarantine first and once I am happy to make a change I delete the infected file This program should not interfere with your existing anti-virus program. It is appropriate just to say that all anti-virus programs have less than a 100% capability of detecting all virus's.
This anti-virus program is great to use when getting rid of tracking cookies and Trojans. The website is packed with informative content and there is a forum available in case additional help and support is needed. Running it in windows safe mode helps to eliminate everything that it has detected.
Web site: http://www.emsisoft.com
AVGARKT: This program specializes in looking for root kit infections on your computer. Many ant-virus programs do not check properly for root kits hence they tend to go unnoticed while delivering information to their makers and users. Root kits can also bring down further harmful files once they are on your computer! They can also slow down your computer considerably.
The program detects and it gets rid of root kits with little hassle. The program comes as is and AVG no longer gives any support for it. Even so it is a useful program to have and to use if you notice that your computer has become sluggish or erratic The program performs a full PC scan very quickly and you get the option to remove any root-kits that it discovers.
Web site: http://www.avg.com
COMODO INTERNET SUITE: This Internet Security Suite is an anti-virus program a firewall and a sand box, designed to stop unwanted intrusions onto your computer. If you decide that you would like to have it on your computer you will have to remove any existing anti-virus program and turn the Windows firewall off, if you want to use the Comodo firewall.
There is the facility to use the anti-virus alone or with the firewall. The sand box can also be turned on or off. It is not a good idea to have multiple firewalls and several anti-virus programs running simultaneously on your computer. Of all the anti-virus programs that I have tried Comodo has performed very well.
I always use a complimentary anti-spy ware program that works with the anti-virus software that is installed on the computer. Surfing the net has taught me to be very cautious when it comes to which sites I visit. Comodo provides quite a few free programs designed to keep your computer running at it's best.. A visit to the Comodo site is well worth while.
Web site: http://www.comodo.com
REMOVE IT PRO: This is very useful as it detects a variety of nasties as well as spy-ware that might be hiding on your computer. Ensure that you are connected to the Internet when starting to run it and click on the update button to ensure that you have the latest virus signatures loaded onto the program.
It might look deceptively simple but I can tell you that it is a cracker at detecting harmful bugs. It leaves other anti-virus programs still searching. The program has to be run in administrator mode. Just right click on the desktop icon and choose the run as administrator option. This program gives you the option to quarantine, fix or delete suspicious files. Just check out the virus's named on Google, you can then decide on the best option to take.
Web site: http://www.incodesolutions.com
IS3 60: This program can be made to run when you start Windows and it detects many types of nasties before they have the chance to infect your PC. It is complimentary to your anti-virus software and I find it very good at detecting Trojans,tracking cookies and ad-ware. It can be left to run by itself or you can open the program to make any adjustments that you might like to. This program is very versatile and it does not take very long to get to know the various options that are available.
Web site: http://www.iobit.com
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
REGISTRY CLEANER: As the name suggests this program cleans and optimise's your computers registry and after using it you should notice a significant improvement in your computers speed. It helps to eliminate unwanted or orphaned registry keys.
I used the program every so often just to make sure that I was getting the optimum performance out of my computer. If you are unsure of how to use it just let it run as it is and everything will be fine. Do not forget to use the delete facility to get your registry optimized after the scan has finished. It is also a good idea to set a system restore point just in case you need to put the computer back to a known, good configuration. I have used it many times and I did so without any problems.
Web site: http://www.eusing.com
REGISTRY DEFRAG: After running the registry cleaner program I used this program. It ensures that the registry is fully optimized and that it is in the best condition. The program is self explanatory in use and it can be run in the background while you are using other programs, although it does not take very long for it to do it's work.
Web site: http://www.eusing.com
OPEN OFFICE
000_320_WIN32INTEL: This is the installation program for Open Office. Open office comes with its own spell checker and the grammar checker can also be easily installed. Open office is at least as good as, if not better than, Microsoft Word. It possibly has a greater degree of flexibility than Microsoft Word and it is completely free of charge having been created as a collaborative effort by the open source community. Lots of additional free-ware add-ons are available at the download site.
Web site: http://www.openoffice.org
Most of the anti-virus files that I have mentioned close completely when not in use, ready to check your computer again if you think that it is slowing down or that you may have picked up an infection. Bona fide and reputable anti-virus software providers are more than happy to offer support to people by way of information on their website, often completely free of charge!
FREEWAREBB
The following link takes you to the FreewareBB.Com site. I used to use the site in my Windows days and I know that they try their very best to make sure that their freeware is clean.
