Computer helps
At work I take care of all the laptops and computers in our main office, in our area offices, and on our Rapid Responses. Because of this, I have to find and maintain software that will keep these computers safe from intruders, hackers, spyware, malware, viruses, and the like. As such, I've run across some really good tools to help protect our computers. I find both good, bad, and ugly programs that claim to clean and protect. Also, I've had the opportunity to help some friends with their 'puters to keep them safe and functional. So now, I pass my help to you.
If you want to protect your 'puter, here are some software that I found to be the best-so-far. You can download them for free. Most of them do not run by themselves, so you will have to maintain them yourselves, but they are advanced enough to where they will install updates at the click of a button.
1) Ad-aware SE Personal Edition 1.06: This will scan your computer for tracking cookies, data-miners, and adware. It's pretty easy to use and can Update at the click of a button. You have to run the scan and update yourself.
2) Windows Defender (Beta 2): for x86 computers: A Microsoft program that prevents pop-ups and security threats. It will have to Validate your copy of Windows XP in order to get this. If you are running MAC OS X, a cracked copy of XP, or another copy of Windows, you probably won't be able to get this. Will update along with XP updates. You need to run this copy yourself, not self running. Will scan your computer. It's still in the Beta stage, but it's alright.
3) Spyware Blaster 3.5.1: I like this program. It's not the normal 'Scan & Clean' program. It actually prevents adware, spyware, tracking cookies, etc. from downloading onto your machine. Even cooler than that, it works for both Windows Internet Explorer and Mozilla's Firefox browsers. You just have to activate the protections and run the Update everynow and then to keep your database up to date.
4) CWShredder 2.19: (Click on the'Softpedia Secure Download (US)' link and save to your Desktop, then install) This one isn't that impressive but it does what it was created for: to remove traces of 'CoolWebSearch' hijacker tools and spyware. It seems like Spyware Blaster already covers this, but if you are extra paranoid, then you can download this for your computer as well. Needs to be Run and Updated manually.
5) SpyBot Search & Destroy: Spybot has kinda fell behind. It use to be one of the premier anti-spyware programs out there, but has not done much over the past couple years. It still works, just not as cool as SpywareBlaster or AdAware. Might still catch a few with it. Needs to be Run and Updated manually.
There are a tons of Anti-Spy, Anti-PopUp, etc., software out there. This list is just a few of the cooler/more well known ones. I just wanted to offer a flavor of what is out there. While it is good to error on the side of safety and maybe install 3 or 4 of these programs, it is not necessary to install all of them. Some cover areas that others don't. It's always a good idea to run a few of these every now and then just to keep you machine as clean as possible. Some/most will run with any OS, but some don't (like Windows Defender, which will only work with Windows XP).
If you want more choices then you can Google or Ask for more. Just type in something like 'Antispy' or 'Anti Popup' or 'Anti Adware'.
No comments:
Post a Comment