Ten free security utilities you should already be using
#9: PC Decrapifier
The PC Decrapifier does exactly that -- removes crapware that comes pre-installed on Windows computers.
This program will not remove crapware from older computers but is perfect for new machines that ships with trialware.
There is a long list of products it will find and remove, including QuickBooks Trial, NetZero Installers, Earthlink Setup Files, Google Desktop and the myriad of anti-virus trialware apps.
Just In
The first entry should have been Firefox to replace Internet Exploder and the second should have been NoScript. Anything that requires you to sign up and allows a third party server to monitor all of your DNS requests should have never, ever, made the list.
I guess the subliminal message is that most Firefox extensions run in all equivalent flavours of Firefox.
Oh, wait, that's not part of a fresh, basic Windows XP install. Aren't able to be happy that NoScript was even mentioned at all, are you?
Given that it's annoying as hell to use and conditions users to allow web sites automatically whenever they fail to work (which happens on probably 70% of web sites).
conditions users to allow web sites automatically whenever they fail to work
You are aware of the Temporarily allow all this page option in the latest version I suppose? That makes sites work for the current session only, which is a good compromise between security and usability imho.
Some people will always find NoScript annoying - I accept that. But when I wander into the dimly-lit backstreets of the web, I really want NoScript's body armor strapped onto the Fox.
You are aware of the Temporarily allow all this page option in the latest version I suppose? That makes sites work for the current session only, which is a good compromise between security and usability imho.
Some people will always find NoScript annoying - I accept that. But when I wander into the dimly-lit backstreets of the web, I really want NoScript's body armor strapped onto the Fox.
If anyone needs those utilities -noscript they definitely have no business reading zdnet.
Sorry, unless I'm mistaken, I thought ZDNet was an open news platform. I didn't realise you had to be a 1337 programmer to take part! Some of us don't have hours and hours to learn about every single new/useful utility. ZDNet is a great focal point for this info.
I'll take any safe, useful, easy-to-use applications that I can run in a business environment (or at home) that make my job easier.
After all, how else do you think I manage to keep my title of "Guru"? /chuckle
After all, how else do you think I manage to keep my title of "Guru"? /chuckle
"AU CANTRAIRE"? A French language "Guru" YOU ARE NOT!
Don't use foreign words if you don't know their meaning and which you cannot spell.
Don't use foreign words if you don't know their meaning and which you cannot spell.
Hey! That's what you get when you take 3 years of High School German, add 2 semesters of Korean, Sesame Street exposure to Spanish, a conversational Japanese evening class to an incompleted Defense Language Institute course in French.
My wife laughs so hard when I actually try speaking it that she gets the hiccups. Of course SHE has perfect pronunciation of the language, being a classical music major.
My wife laughs so hard when I actually try speaking it that she gets the hiccups. Of course SHE has perfect pronunciation of the language, being a classical music major.
Don't let the zombies get you down. Some folks are so tightly wound that it would require a structural failure in their face for them to actually.
At least I enjoyed your comment. Most of this stuff can be made usefull so I expect to see it in the next version of system mechanic.
At least I enjoyed your comment. Most of this stuff can be made usefull so I expect to see it in the next version of system mechanic.
I can't get rare either! 
Sparky- i don't know how long you have been in the field or your level of knowledge. However, I will say that there is no one software that does it all -- yet. I also must admit that anything that is easy and give the users more control and security is a real plus in any environment.
Its nice to know whats out there.. so you can point users to it when they ask what is slowing their machines down. I am soo sick of manually cleaning machines of crapware. Granted, they pay and its good money.. but i would rather have a life than go through 2 hours of cleaning.
Been there, done that. After I got out of the business of PC repair and became a Network jockey, I still have people asking me to clean their PCs so it's good to have an undated list of utilities they can use themselves. My list of clean-up utilities is over 2 years old, ancient by today's standards, and much of what was good then is now superseded or compromised.
I'd be willing to bet that at least 35% of the folks on ZDNET are managing or supporting a LARGE group of n00bs or pre-n00bs. Unfortunately, the vast majority of cpusers don't/can't/won't learn anything about their machines or how to protect them. I think that a comprehensive list of FREE software which performs "as well as" or "better than" some other software - which would otherwise cost a company $50,000 in bulk licensing and implementation - is a wonderful thing.
The rest of the folks reading ZDNet want to have sensible solutions presented on a platter to save themselves time and energy. Most importantly ... ZDNet caters to anyone who wishes to learn or understand.
I think that pre-pubescent moose-knuckles who have the presumtiveness to assume that they are 1337 ... because they keylogged their mom's laptop to get her credit card numbers or because they managed to no-cd crack Medal of Honor ... don't belong on ZDNet.
The rest of the folks reading ZDNet want to have sensible solutions presented on a platter to save themselves time and energy. Most importantly ... ZDNet caters to anyone who wishes to learn or understand.
I think that pre-pubescent moose-knuckles who have the presumtiveness to assume that they are 1337 ... because they keylogged their mom's laptop to get her credit card numbers or because they managed to no-cd crack Medal of Honor ... don't belong on ZDNet.
Hmmm, do you mean "presumption" perhaps?
except maybe the crapware de-installer, which I am wondering if it will uninstall the rest of the ten thing you "gotta" have. I recommend Grisoft/AVG anti-spy/virus, as it is currently the lightest and tightest of the major anti-xware. And that coupled with a little common sense should be all you need.
One of the things I ALWAYS find when cleaning the infections from a machine I DO NOT CONTROL, is various "free" antivirus/mal/crap/spy whatever trojan things with names similar to:
Registry sweeper
virus vacuum
malware handiwipe
Etc.......
and I have to say " don't ever install this sh*t", but they do it again and again, trying to undo the damage caused by their unsafe behavior.
AND now we got ZDnet recommending this type of stuff, and grandma in florida will see some crappy "registry hygene" spyware and think she remembered seeing it here.
Then you gotta be on the phone with grandma saying "click the start button, go to settings, etc" trying to get rid of it, and probably end up making her ship the thing to you.
One of the things I ALWAYS find when cleaning the infections from a machine I DO NOT CONTROL, is various "free" antivirus/mal/crap/spy whatever trojan things with names similar to:
Registry sweeper
virus vacuum
malware handiwipe
Etc.......
and I have to say " don't ever install this sh*t", but they do it again and again, trying to undo the damage caused by their unsafe behavior.
AND now we got ZDnet recommending this type of stuff, and grandma in florida will see some crappy "registry hygene" spyware and think she remembered seeing it here.
Then you gotta be on the phone with grandma saying "click the start button, go to settings, etc" trying to get rid of it, and probably end up making her ship the thing to you.
There are posers out on the internet that try to emulate the good freeware utilities - web caution is a given. But I see nothing wrong with the suggestions in the article, otherwise.
Free ware is better than NO WARE which is what most "grandma" types probably operate under. That is the point of this article as far as I am concerned..Many of these people run old computers and can't use the newfangled stuff.
I have fought many a battle with maleware and have had many victories using the utilities mentioned here; to dis them out of hand would be a disservice for the Joe Sixpacks and "grandmas" you mention.
Free ware is better than NO WARE which is what most "grandma" types probably operate under. That is the point of this article as far as I am concerned..Many of these people run old computers and can't use the newfangled stuff.
I have fought many a battle with maleware and have had many victories using the utilities mentioned here; to dis them out of hand would be a disservice for the Joe Sixpacks and "grandmas" you mention.
Incomprehensible as it may seem to you, some of us reading ZDNet are home users and are neither uber-geeks nor utter morons. I have been successfully managing my own home PC's for many years, in part because I watch this and other computer web sites and magazines for utilities like these, several of which I find very useful. Please think twice before posting such snobbish generalizations.
nt
would be arrogant enough to use the term "n00b" in a public forum with info that may save people with real industry jobs a few dollars or a few hours. Granted, there isn't much here thats new, but that doesn't mean that theres not something here thats useful to someone. The Secunia software is new to me, I've been using use a commercial application, so I never bothered to look for anything else.
Noli nothis permittere te terere
Noli nothis permittere te terere
Nice use of the 1980's invective "much", Dice Man. Want to throw in a Little Miss Muffet rhyme while you're at it?. Just messin' with you. And yes, I agree the child who wrote that is elitist, and probably doesn't know as much as s/he thinks. Why am I posting a reply to a note from a year and a half ago now? There's a very uninteresting, but legitimate reason for that. Besides, if you can respond to a post from July 07 in Jan 08, I feel comfortable posting this reply. Plus I'm just bored.
sweet! are you a 133t h8x0r d00d? From this day forward I will call you Crash Override.
Sysinternals RKR isn't quite so deadly, Blacklight hasn't crashed anything I've run it on yet. All the others tend to bring any system I've run them on to a halt, most of the time you have to let it sit because the semicrashed state is just the processor cycles being eaten by the detection software, but then I've had them blue screen as well. The level they hook into the system is pretty deep and if they have any bugs, it's byebye OS.
The utility tools appear useful. Is this just a thumbnail sketch
summary article ? The potential conflicts with OTHER ALREADY INSTALLED PROTECTIVE utility tools such as name brand Anti Virus & Firewalls; needs to be explained.
summary article ? The potential conflicts with OTHER ALREADY INSTALLED PROTECTIVE utility tools such as name brand Anti Virus & Firewalls; needs to be explained.
As an experienced user, I had a bad experience with the Free AOL toolset. AOL helpdesk had no clue how to fix and I had to reformat the entire hard drive to correct.
I feel sorry for anyone that has to use AOL, all it does is crash my customers system units. Seems to me just using AOL is a risk, security or otherwise!
Way back in the dial up days AOL was the only one in our area with a local number and a more contained online experience for my group. Over the years even as they went from dial up to broadband - slowly, most did not want to give up the all in one experience they are used to. In it's early days - pre version 6 it was sometimes a problem install but if you used it all this time you learned the ins and outs and how to prevent it from becoming a problem. I have a routine when installing it and what setting should be and we don't have crash issues. They are all using version 9 - no one wants or needs the newer version Desktop 10. I have more problems with the ones in my group that are just running loose on the internet then those who stay with AOL while using online.
maybe AOL should hire you as a consultant to train their support staff CIOs. Hopefully that would trickle down to the masses.
They do finally seem to be getting grass roots concern for their reputation. With the hard headed attitude so many companies have these days, it seems like nothing changes until the bankruptcy proceedings start.
However, even out in the desert, we have plenty of competition that keep the customers happy, and no one wants to take a chance at a return to that level of pain again.
Besides $14.95 for basic AT&T and the excellent service we get in our area, is hard to beat.
They do finally seem to be getting grass roots concern for their reputation. With the hard headed attitude so many companies have these days, it seems like nothing changes until the bankruptcy proceedings start.
However, even out in the desert, we have plenty of competition that keep the customers happy, and no one wants to take a chance at a return to that level of pain again.
Besides $14.95 for basic AT&T and the excellent service we get in our area, is hard to beat.
First, I agree Firefox should have been first, but remember, Firefox is NOT perfect. I also feel that the AdBlock Plus plug in with Element hiding attachment is a great addition. It requires you to train it, but it is worth it.
Now, CCleaner is great. I love this application. It does a wonderful job of taking care of problems. It has Registry cleaner, and it also contains a File Shredder for the Trash Bin. You can set it to DOD spec 3 swipes, or more.
As for Antivirus, there are better choices than AOL's. I use Avira Antivir with great confidence. It is an effective freebie that has detected some trojans that Norton overlooked all the time!
Honestly it boils to what the user likes most. I do not agree with this list so, anyways...
Now, CCleaner is great. I love this application. It does a wonderful job of taking care of problems. It has Registry cleaner, and it also contains a File Shredder for the Trash Bin. You can set it to DOD spec 3 swipes, or more.
As for Antivirus, there are better choices than AOL's. I use Avira Antivir with great confidence. It is an effective freebie that has detected some trojans that Norton overlooked all the time!
Honestly it boils to what the user likes most. I do not agree with this list so, anyways...
Quit looking at the fact it comes from AOL and the fact it is a KASPERSKY product. Hands down one of the best Antiviruses out there. All the difference is is the gui has AOL all over it instead of the K. *shrugs* big deal, same program underneath.
Where was:
Spyware Blaster?
True Crypt?
AVG is a good Antivirus, don't know that it's better than AOL, but AOL has always been too invasive on a system.
Zone Alarm?
Ad Block Plus is a must have. I will not work on a computer for long without installing this awesome piece of software, of course with Firefox.
Ethereal - ok this is techy, but for a techy list of security and packet info it's 10 times better than network monitor.
Ccleaner is great and may be considered as a security program, but Decrapifier isn't really the kind of program I think of to increase my security. It's still a good program though, but kinda a use once and then never again.
Jake
Spyware Blaster?
True Crypt?
AVG is a good Antivirus, don't know that it's better than AOL, but AOL has always been too invasive on a system.
Zone Alarm?
Ad Block Plus is a must have. I will not work on a computer for long without installing this awesome piece of software, of course with Firefox.
Ethereal - ok this is techy, but for a techy list of security and packet info it's 10 times better than network monitor.
Ccleaner is great and may be considered as a security program, but Decrapifier isn't really the kind of program I think of to increase my security. It's still a good program though, but kinda a use once and then never again.
Jake
This program is only useful for when you first get your NEW computer. and then if some of the programs you want to keep and actually use, it gets rid of them, you then have to do a re-install, and it stopped my computer from functioning. Thanks but I'll stay away from Decrapifier.
dont ever install anything on your machine with "crap" in its name. wisdom
When AVS showed up in a previous download digest, I decided to try it. I am as wary of AOL software as most, but since C|Net/ZDnet recommended it, and it was by Kapersky, I decided to try it. First off, there was a problem installing it on the first machine. I found a way around that in the forums for this product. Now it's working just fine on that machine.
Then, I installed it on another machine in my network. So far, so good, until I tried to access my network, that is. It completely hid the network and made my intranet completely inaccessible. I finally had time to completely uninstall AVS and my network started working again.
On the Kaspersky website, someone made the same complaint and was answered that it couldn't be the AV software causing the problem - it had to be a firewall or soemthing else. No, it's AVS causing the problem. I installed Avira Antivir instead, and everything's fine now.
Then, I installed it on another machine in my network. So far, so good, until I tried to access my network, that is. It completely hid the network and made my intranet completely inaccessible. I finally had time to completely uninstall AVS and my network started working again.
On the Kaspersky website, someone made the same complaint and was answered that it couldn't be the AV software causing the problem - it had to be a firewall or soemthing else. No, it's AVS causing the problem. I installed Avira Antivir instead, and everything's fine now.
before adding an AV programme to my then new machine, I checked with ShadowServer's virus stats and found that Avira's offering to consistently be among the top five AV programmes, and by far the best of the free ones. My own experience with the programme has been very good, indeed. I don't install it, however, on friends' computers, due to the annoying reminder for other versions that pops up with every update - something with which my often computer-naive retirees can find it difficult to deal. AVG's ratings have gotten a lot better this last half year and annoying popups are not a problem, so I install that instead....
Henri
Henri
Clam AV should have been included in this list as last summer (ZDNet link forgotten) it was rated the same as Kaspersky Lab for detection rate of viruses.
ZDnet links for Clam AV:
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5992194.html
http://blogs.zdnet.com/open-source/?p=1300
ZDnet links for Clam AV:
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5992194.html
http://blogs.zdnet.com/open-source/?p=1300
I can't recommend Avira anymore after what has happened to many of my customers.
Avira can recognize many types of malware and is resistant to takeover by some of the worst.
However it is too slow to stop injection attacks; although it can recognize the attack package, it is too late to stop the discharge, and takeover of administrative control from the extracting malware vector.
Avast has lighting fast reflexes and good hueristics that can stop such attacks even when it may not recognize the specific code that is attacking the system.
The era of good freeware may be coming to an end, so I recommend at least buying NOD32 and only using the other fine anti-spy utilities that are still freely available for XP, at least, as a supplement.
Avira can recognize many types of malware and is resistant to takeover by some of the worst.
However it is too slow to stop injection attacks; although it can recognize the attack package, it is too late to stop the discharge, and takeover of administrative control from the extracting malware vector.
Avast has lighting fast reflexes and good hueristics that can stop such attacks even when it may not recognize the specific code that is attacking the system.
The era of good freeware may be coming to an end, so I recommend at least buying NOD32 and only using the other fine anti-spy utilities that are still freely available for XP, at least, as a supplement.
Wrong link? FYI, the AOL Active Virus Shield is obsolete, it was out in 2006. AOL has new security package. I wonder why it is introduced here.
It's apparent to me that zdnet is not keeping there stuff updated and current.
What's in it for them? How is the service paid for? Do they insert ads? Or do they collect and sell statistics? If the latter (no doubt) what information do they store and for how long?
Ads; strangely. If you type an incorrect URL it brings up it's own page of suggestions with ads. I stopped using it. I used to be able to just type say, "ford", into the navigation bar and Firefox would work out the www. and .com. Not with OpenDNS. I ended up at their site way to often for my taste. Damn I'm lazy. They claim they don't sell info.
In IE or Firefox, you can still avoid typing the www. and .com with OpenDNS, if you just get into the habit of pressing ctrl+enter for .com addresses. In Firefox shift+enter will get you to a .net address and ctrl+shift+enter will get you to a .org URL. Adding the Alt key to any of these combos will open it in a new tab instead of the current one.
the limited use version IS free, but the complete version cost $$$$...you shouldn't call any software FREE unless the entire software really is free....don't bother with this one
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