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 compatible.  Keep checking back from time to time, as we will add to the list where appropriate or following suggestions.

AVG ANTI-VIRUS:

This free Anti-Virus software is very effective and comes out well in tests against other paid for packages.  Contains an email scanner to prevent access to email spread viruses.  Follow the link above to get the latest version, AVG 9.0 Free.  Read carefully to make sure you get the AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0 version.  Latest version now includes a spyware scanner as well, and you can set it up to remove these automatically.  Now allows you to set the time and determine folders/drives for a scan, as well as the speed of the scan.  Seems to work fine with Windows 7 as well as with Vista and XP.  If you need the version for Linux, follow this link.                                                                                        

 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 select "Basic Firewall only", to ensure you get the free version, unless you want to pay! 

SPYWARE TERMINATOR: 

This is an extremely 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.

 AD-AWARE 2009 (Anniversary Edition):  

The latest version of this very effective free adware removal programme, now celebrating their 10th Anniversary.  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 now an integral part of Windows Vista.  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. Now an integral part of Windows Vista, but 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.

DOPDF 

This is a really useful application, that is so simple to use.  DoPDF^6.3 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, you just have to print the document, and select doPDF as the printer. Open a document (with Microsoft Word, WordPad, NotePad or any other software), choose Print and select doPDF. 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 9.2.  Unless you want it, be sure to remove the tick from the "Get Google Toolbar" box.

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

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