Free Software

There is such a thing as free software, however you must use caution.   Remember you don't always get something for nothing.

Cautions:
Many times when you get free software you also get unwanted items like adware,
spyware, and / or browser hijackers.   You may find out that after you install the
free software your computer may even fail to shutdown.

As a general rule, don't download free software unless you have had it recommended
by a known good source or reviewed by a trusted source.



Downloading Free Software:
When you find the free software that you want...

1. Be sure any additional selections for more free software are not selected just
     before the download starts.

2. Read any license agreements that appear before the download or during the install.
     It is possible that the license agreement states that your computer may be used for
     others to download from or that your computer may be used for things that are not
     desired by you. Free file sharing used for free music can use your computer in this
     way.

3. For a few days don't install any other software.   During the next few days be
     sure to test run all your programs and reboot your computer several times.   If
     everything is working as expected, then your free software is probably ok.

     If your computer fails to shut down or other programs don't run as expected, you
     may want to uninstall that free program and retest your computer. If it is still doing
     unexpected things, then it may be time to check for adware, spyware, and / or
     browser hijackers.

Links to free software with good reviews are located here on the left sidebar.

If you have downloaded free software and had troubles, I have listed sites that can help you to research, detect and remove adware, spyware, and / or browser hijackers.

Several programs listed below can run all the time to help protect you. It is not, however,
a good idea to run several programs that do the same thing all at one time. So select
only the ones you like best and do different things.   You can also select to install a program but maybe not always run unless you manually run it.

Note:
Do not make any changes to your computer unless you feel comfortable doing them.

Antivirus Programs:
Be sure to always have an Anti-Virus program running all the time. The virus definitions must also be updated frequently. When any trouble strikes, first be sure your virus definitions are up to date and do a virus scan.   If the virus scan is OK, then proceed to check for any adware, spyware, and / or browser hijackers using your favorite software or any of the software mentioned just below.

By David Thiele

Antivirus Companies:
Norton Anti-Virus
You can get just the Anti-Virus program or better yet get Norton Internet Security.

McAfee Anti-Virus
You can get the Anti-Virus or better yet get Internet Security Suite.

Kaspersky
This is a company based in Moscow. This could be good. Sometimes if an outbreak occurs overseas first, then this company may have virus definitions before our US companies do.

Adware - Spyware detect and removal programs:
AD-aware
Detects and removes adware.

SpyBot Search & Destroy
Detects spyware and/or advertising links. The program can run in the background all the
time to help stop bad things from occurring.

Pest Patrol
The Free eTrust PestPatrol Anti-Spyware trial removes lower level spyware threats. A full version of the program is available that does more.

Homepage Hijacker Detectors and Removers:
HijackThis
A general homepage hijackers detector and remover. Read the entire page 1st.

WinPatrol
A SECURITY MONITOR, WinPatrol alerts you to hijackings, malware attacks and critical changes made to your computer without your permission. This is best to load before you
have trouble, however it can still help after trouble arrives. This can run all the time to
help protect you.

Microsoft Tools and info:
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
A Microsoft Software Removal Tool that checks Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 computers for and helps remove infections by specific, prevalent malicious software.

XP Runs Slow - Microsoft Article
Some good troubleshooting info and it also recommends many of the programs listed here.

Other interesting Sites:
Gibson Research Corporation
Steve Gibson's Research, programs and info.