This is my site for links to Genuine Free Stuff as well as some useful advice. I use most of these programs regularly. It's good gear. It's all worth having.

** April 2014. Major revamp and update for relevance happening, especially now that support for Windows XP has ended, and now that we all are addicted to our Android phones. A lot of old stuff is going.

This post in particular started this whole website...

I have been building and using computers since about the Ice Age, from DOS 3 through to Windows 7.
I have been mucking about with mobile phones for quite some time, using Symbian S60 and then Android.

Press F8 at boot to start in safe mode - Windows XP and 7
To see the details of you computer, download, install and run 'Speccy' - shows Operating System, Firewall, Anti-virus and hardware.
If you think you have a virus, start here 'Free Online Virus Scan'. Try any or all, and be patient.

April 8, 2014

PC Security Free Software for Windows XP and Windows 7 - April 2014

This page is a summary of all the free PC Security Software that I have found and use.  You will also see screen captures of this stuff running on my own computer.
AVG free anti-virus - that's the link.
http://www.avgfree.com.au/

"AVG Free provides you with basic antivirus and anti-spyware protection for Windows and is available to download for free."

Avira free Anti-virus - that's the link.
http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus

"Basic protection
Protects your computer against dangerous viruses, worms, Trojans and costly dialers.


 BitDefender anti-virus.
http://www.bitdefender.com.au/solutions/free.html


CCleaner - that's the link to download from FileHippo.
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner

"CCleaner is a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. Additionally it contains a fully featured registry cleaner. But the best part is that it's fast (normally taking less than a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware!"running on my computer. I run 
this once a week to clean out my junk.



 Comodo free firewall - that's the link.
http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/

Malwarebytes - that's the link.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/downloads/

"Malwarebytes is a site dedicated to fighting malware. Malwarebytes has developed a variety of tools that can identify and remove malicious software from your computer. When your computer becomes infected, Malwarebytes can provide the needed assistance to remove the infection and restore the machine back to optimum performance."

It's free, but you can also buy a paid subscription.
Download the free version, but always manually obtain updates.
running on my computer. This is serious gear. Use this to remove those nasty viruses.
I also use their website to help debug and devirus friends computers.




Microsoft Update .** April 2014 - no longer valid. Windows Update is included in the Control Panel.

This may seem a bit redundant or unnecessary. But it's important.
I had to help fix a friends computers recently.
They hadn't received any Microsoft security updates for years. There computer was a mess of viruses, and not having any Microsoft Security Updates for five years certainly did not help.

Microsoft Security Essentials anti-virus - that's the link
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/security-essentials-download#dlbutton

This is Microsoft's own free anti-virus program.
To quote Microsoft...

" Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a free download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple."

Microsoft Windows Defender - All gone now. See the post above.

 Online Virus Scanners
BitDefender QuickScan
http://www.bitdefender.com.au/scanner/online/free.html

ESET Online Antivirus Scanner
http://www.eset.com/int/home//products/online-scanner/

Microsoft Security Scanner
http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-gb/default.aspx

TrendMicro HouseCall Free online virus scan
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/au/?WT.mc_id=2008HP_TRC_HouseCall

Zone Alarm firewall - that's the link.
http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-free-antivirus-firewall.htm

"ZoneAlarm pioneered the personal computer firewall used by over 60 million people worldwide, and our parent company, Check Point Software, invented the enterprise firewall used by every member of the Fortune 100. We know how to keep the bad guys out."

So there you go. That's a good start to protecting your computer, all for free.
Load it up. Si.
Checked April 2014 for link and relevance. Still valid for Windows XP and Windows 7

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