From firewalls to antivirus software to tools for combatting
rootkits and spyware, here are some great
downloads to protect your
system against malicious attacks.
ZoneAlarm
Check Point Software's ZoneAlarm may well be the most popular free
firewall on the planet, and the most recent release (finally) protects
Vista machines. Arguably, ZoneAlarm is the product that made everyone
conscious of the need for firewall protection. It's extremely easy to
use, and its method of configuring outbound protection is particularly
useful. Whenever a program tries to make an outbound Internet
connection, ZoneAlarm announces it with a pop-up alert. You can then
permit or disallow the connection, on a one-time basis or permanently.
Configuring your level of protection is a simple matter of moving a few
sliders. Though the free version of the software is exclusively a
firewall, Check Point also offers for-pay security suites. But if all
you're looking for is a firewall, stick with the free version.
Comodo Firewall Pro
ZoneAlarm is extremely popular, but that doesn't automatically make it
the best free firewall you can find. One formidable contender is Comodo
Firewall Pro, which independent testing site Matousec rated as the top
firewall. Matousec found that Comodo offered the highest level of
antileak protection, one measure of a firewall's effectiveness. Comodo
offers true two-way firewall protection, is highly configurable, and
(unlike most other firewalls) provides a great view of your system and
your Internet connection.
Avast
Tired of dealing with bloated, overpriced security suites that bog down
your system and cost an arm and a leg, when all you want is antivirus
software? Then get Avast, a superb antivirus program that's free for
home and personal use. Because it's a lean piece of software, it
imposes a relatively light burden on system resources and RAM. Despite
this, it kills viruses in their tracks and has plenty of extras,
including live scanning to prevent viruses from infecting your PC in
the first place. Avast can scan regular and Web-based e-mail for
viruses, too, and it protects against instant messaging viruses,
peer-to-peer dangers and more.
AVG Anti-Rootkit
One of the most feared types of malware is the rootkit -- malicious
software that many types of antimalware can't detect. Not uncommonly,
bad guys use rootkits to hide Trojan horses, which can then be used to
take over your PC without your knowledge. AVG Anti-Rootkit's sole
purpose is to find and kill rootkits. Run it and it scans your PC,
sniffing rootkits out and removing any it finds. (Note that this
utility doesn't work with Windows Vista.)
Spyware Blaster
Some of the nastiest kinds of spyware -- autodialers, home page
hijackers, and others--install themselves as ActiveX controls. Spyware
Blaster protects you against them, blocking the installation of
ActiveX-based malware and other types of spyware, and eradicating
tracking cookies that might otherwise invade your privacy. The program
works with Firefox, Opera or Internet Explorer, and it prevents your
browser from being diverted to dangerous sites. One particularly nice
touch is the utility's System Snapshot, which (as you'd expect) takes a
snapshot of your PC; if your computer gets infected later on, you can
revert to the clean version.
