Great Free Software
Introduction
Here is a list of good freeware. I love freeware, so check back often because I may have discovered a real gem in between visits!
Although these programs work great on my PC, installing any software can have unforeseen problems because each PC is unique and has a different set of software programs installed. To be safe, make sure all important files are backed up before installing any software, free or not. Create a file specifically for downloaded files and update your browser settings so it will let you choose the folder to use for storing downloaded files. And ALWAYS scan any file you’ve downloaded before opening. (On my PC I have the option to scan a file on my right-click menu.) If you have Windows/XP, I also recommend setting a System Restore Point before installing any software. Click Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore. Then click "Create a Restore Point" and complete the process. If disaster happens, you can follow the above path and instead of choosing "Create a Restore Point" choose "Restore my computer to an earlier time" and XP will restore your PC to the state it was in before you installed the software. Disclaimer: if you download any programs listed on this website, you do so at your own risk.
There are many software download sites. All software below is available at my favorite, www.download.com, unless otherwise noted. I have included the authors' website for most programs, but if a program cannot be downloaded from download.com, I have indicated this. Using the free McAfee’s SiteAdvisor is great because you will quickly see which websites have dirty files - and many of these sites show up on the first results screen! When checking out a program, only use reliable sites like www.download.com, www.majorgeeks.com, or www.tucows.com. Read the editor reviews and user reviews. Hint: when looking for freeware on download.com, add “free” to your keyword search. Then on the top of the results page, set the filter to “free licenses” and click “Filter.” When you do click on a software title, make sure it says “free” under "license" before downloading.
Security Software
Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition: This extremely popular scanning program detects and removes different kinds of spyware from your PC. The authors’ website is http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ and click on Products. Make sure you choose Ad-Aware SE Personal. Don't forget to update the program's definitions each week and then perform a scan of your hard drive each week.
AVG Anti-Spyware: scanning software that detects and removes different kinds of malware from your PC. Go to http://free.grisoft.com and AVG Anti-Spyware Free will be listed on the left sidebar. Don't forget to update the program's definitions each week and then perform a scan of your hard drive each week.
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition: a very popular anti-virus software. The authors’ website is http://www.free.grisoft.com/. Don't forget to scan your PC for viruses each week.
AVAST Anti-Virus: a very popular anti-virus software. I’ve used it for about 5 years. The authors’ website is http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html. Don't forget to scan your PC for viruses each week.
SiteAdvisor (from McAfee): download at http://www.siteadvisor.com/ - a fabulous extension to your IE or Firefox browser. You can also go to siteadvisor.com and key in any website and see their report on it. The website also has an interesting link with analyses of dangerous websites per country and per suffix (like .com or .org). When you install the software (after agreeing to their license), you must close your browser. When you reopen it, you'll see a small McAfee SiteAdvisor button on the bottom right of your browser (in your status bar). Then when you browse and get the results screen, you’ll see which websites are safe and which are not.
Spybot Search and Destroy: This popular program detects and removes different kinds of spyware from your PC. This program is highly recommended as a scanning tool. If you use Internet Explorer, you’ll want to “Immunize” each week when you update. (Click Immunize from the left sidebar, click OK on the little window, and then click Immunize on the top of the main window.) The authors’ website is http://www.safer-networking.org/. Don't forget to update the program's definitions each week and then perform a scan of your hard drive each week.
SpywareBlaster: The purpose of this software isn’t to scan your hard disk for malware but to prevent the installation of spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Before I started using SpywareBlaster, my weekly scans always found ad tracking cookies and often other spyware. Now very few adware or spyware gets into my PC. The authors’ website is http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Zonealarm: probably the most popular firewall … and it’s free! Detailed information about this program can be found in the article on PC Security. I recommend downloading this from download.com. The authors’ website is www.zonealarm.com/ if you want to see all their products.
Media Software
Audacity: This editor imports and exports wav, aiff, mp3, and ogg files. You can edit files using cut, copy and paste. It has a lot of other nifty features. Prerequisite: you need the lame mp3 encoder to export mp3 files. Go to http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ and click on the download link. On the next page are links to download both the Audacity program and the lame mp3 encoder. After clicking on the lame mp3 encoder, print the instructions and proceed. The authors’ website is http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Jet Audio: this integrated multimedia software does lots of things; records, plays, rips, burns, and converts. It has many other features, and includes JetCast for creating your own Internet Broadcast. Creating a playlist in Jet Audio is slightly less annoying than the other players(!) The authors’ website is http://www.cowonamerica.com/
Other Software
AbsoluteShield File Shredder: when you delete a file in Windows, the file is still on your hard disk. The only thing that is deleted is the pointer to the file. There is plenty of software available to find files that have been deleted, so you may want to shred files you know you will never want to recover in case you ever sell or give your PC to someone else. This program destroys the file by writing over it. You right-click and click on AbsoluteShield File Shredder to permanently remove a file or folder. The authors’ website is http://www.sys-shield.com/fileshredder.htm
Belarc Advisor: This program displays a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware, including software serial numbers and Microsoft Hotfixes. It’s neat. The authors’ website is http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
CutePDF Writer: This program enables any Windows applications that can print to create PDF documents. It works great. To convert a file to PDF, click Print, choose CutePDF as your ‘printer,’ and then type in the filename and choose your destination folder for saving the file. You need both the software and a special converter program. To download both, go to http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp and on the left you’ll see links that say “free download” and “free converter. Download these, but don’t download anything else from the website or you’ll get adware.
Firefox: a super browser. Browse safer with Firefox! http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
Thunderbird: email program from Mozilla. Authors’ website is http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/
TweakNow RegCleaner: The Registry is the heart and soul of any Windows system. But as you install and uninstall programs and other files, the registry becomes bloated with obsolete entries that can slow your system down. This program will keep your registry clean. There are several free registry-cleaning programs around that come highly recommended. After the scan, only delete the entries marked as SAFE. The authors' website is http://www.tweaknow.com/RegCleaner.html
