Click on the links below to access some of the best known free Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, Adware, Firewall and other useful free software.  All the following programs are now Vista and Windows 7 compatible.  Keep checking back from time to time, as we will add to the list where appropriate or following suggestions.  I have now included a link to an excellent backup programme, HomePCBackup.  This is designed for home users specifically and allows trial use, but the full programme is really excellent, unlimited data storage, automatic scheduled backups, incremental backups, and of course ever so easy restoration of your data.  Add-ons also allow email data backup, and all data transmission is extremely secure.  Contact me for further details, or simply click the link to try it out yourself.

AVG ANTI-VIRUS:

This free Anti-Virus software is very effective indeed and comes out well in tests against other paid for packages.  AVG claim that 98 million people currently use it!  It contains an email scanner to prevent access to email spread viruses.  Follow the link above to get the latest version, AVG 2012 Free.  Be sure you click on the AVG AntiVirus Free Edition 2012 in about the middle of the page.  Once it has downloaded, as it loads select the default Quick Installation and let it do the rest itself.  It will prompt you for a re-start, and to register, you do not need to, and then will continue to load AVG 2012.  This latest version now includes a wealth of additional bits and pieces, as well as AVG's well known Link Scanner to help you stay safe on the internet.  Once installed you need to click on the Scan Options button on the left and then click onto Manage Scheduled Scans, then Edit Scan Schedule.  Then click into, it places a tick, in the "Enable this Task" box.  You should then choose when and how often it runs the scan, and you can determine what files and drives you wish to scan, as well as the speed of the scan.  Works fine with all versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7, but if using Windows XP, you should also be using a firewall such as ZoneAlarm below.  In this case I recommend that instead of  AVG you use AVAST Free AntiVirus, using the link here, as there is a conflict between AVG and ZoneAlarm when using XP, unless it is set up very carefully!  If you need the AVG version for Linux, follow this link, and choose the Linux option.

 ZONE-ALARM: 

This is probably the best free firewall package about and compares very favourable with expensive ‘paid for’ versions.  When installing and updating, be sure to select basic ZoneAlarm protection rather than anything else.  Click the link above, and then the big yellow button Free Download to ensure you get the free version, unless you want to pay! 

SPYWARE TERMINATOR: 

This is a comprehensive and efficient "resident" spyware terminator.  That means it provides a "shield" which is working all the time to protect your system.  It prompts you when any changes are made to your system files or registry to ensure that it is an allowed change.  It does NOT slow your machine down unnecessarily as many resident programmes do.  It also auto-updates before carrying out automatic or scheduled scans.

SPYBOT SEARCH & DESTROY:   

 An alternative very effective free, Anti-Spyware removal tool, requiring manual scans, but also with a "resident feature".  Make sure you make use of the immunise facility.  Make sure you click on the Green Download button, not on one of the advert buttons!

 AD-AWARE:  

The latest version of this very effective free adware, and now virus removal programme,  Make sure you update it before scanning.  Requires manual removal of detected objects.

 MICROSOFT WINDOWS DEFENDER:  

This is a very useful resident Spyware remover/system protector and is an integral part of Windows Vista and Windows 7, although is not turned on by default.  It performs scheduled scans and auto-updates itself.  Use it in conjunction with the above to ensure your PC is kept clear of unwanted material. Still works just as well with Windows XP.

CCLEANER 

There are a number of valid reasons for keeping your computer free from clutter, not only will keeping your machine tidy help it run more smoothly but it may help you to keep personal and private information more secure. Most files that accumulate on the average PC will be relatively harmless but there may be some files and folders that contain more sensitive information. When you delete these files or folders some tools are better than others at completely removing them so when you want to remove them, its important to find a reliable and effective tool to do so.     

CCleaner is a powerful and hugely popular system cleansing utility that will enable you to remove any data, irrelevant or sensitive, that may be stored by online applications. Use it to remove Temporary Internet files and clear browser history as well as clean Registry files and other information.  Use with caution, as over zealous use can result in problems.

DOPDF 

This is a really useful application, that is so simple to use.  DoPDF^7.1 installs itself as a virtual PDF printer driver so after a successful installation it will appear in your Printers and Faxes list. To convert any document to PDF format, open a document (with Microsoft Word, WordPad, NotePad or any other software), choose Print and select doPDF from the list of printers. It will ask you where to save the PDF file and when finished, the PDF file will be automatically opened in your default PDF viewer usually Adobe Reader.  Click on the link below to get the latest version, currently version 9.3.4  Unless you want it, be sure to remove the tick from the "Get Google Toolbar" box.  Note that if running MS Office 2007 or higher you do not need this as you can create pdf's directly from the Save As menu, when clicking the Office button in the top left hand corner.

We will continue to add items to this page.  Please check back from time to time.

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