Security & Privacy Free Software

There is no free lunch in this world. Fortunately, the same doesn’t apply to software. Finding free software is a boon. But finding free software that is not a crippleware (functionality is so limited to the point of almost useless), nagware (repeatedly reminds user to purchase the software), demoware (can be used for certain times or certain number of days only), and does not contain adware(display advertisements every now and then), spyware(collect your personal information) is tough.

Here is a list of what I consider as Top 100 Free Software for Windows. Most of these are software that I am using or have used before. Majority are freeware with some of them under open source software license agreement. There are a number of shareware in this list too. These are great shareware that provides good functionality even if you don’t buy.

Security & Privacy

1. AVG Free Edition
   As a free anti-virus, AVG works very well. Ever since installing this a year back on my laptop, it no virus has even escaped. That’s compared with 4 or 5 virus infections on the home desktop protected by Norton Anti Virus. Moreover, it doesn’t take much system resources and easy to use.
   http://free.grisoft.com/
   
2. Avast Home Edition
   I personally do not like Avast very much. Avast takes more system resources than AVG, and the interface is overly complicated. The detection is comparable though. And it does provide more options in the settings.
   http://www.avast.com/eng/av4_revision_history.html
   
3. Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall
   I started using Kerio Personal Firewall about 2 years ago. It is much easier to use than ZoneAlarm, and it is free. Sometime in the last year, it is bought over by Sunbelt, but they still give the free version.
   http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm
   
4. Windows Defender (Beta 2)
   Windows Defender (previously called Microsoft Anti-Spyware) has so far been the most succesful software for cleaning even the most sticky spywares. Just update it and then run it on Windows Safe-Mode for a few times. You need to have your OS to be updated for running this tough. Listed on the FAQ, Windows Defender run on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 or later, or Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later, or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 or later.
   http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
   
5. Spybot S&D
   Some of you just won’t trust your system security to Microsoft. Anyway, they are the one who has allowed so many holes on their Windows operating system. Fair enough, then you might want to get Spybot Search & Destroy for fighting spyware and adware instead of Windows Defender.
   http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
   
6. a-squared HiJackFree
   a-squared HiJackFree is a detailed system analysis tool which helps advanced users to detect and remove all types of HiJackers, Spyware, Adware, Trojans and Worms.
   http://www.hijackfree.com/en/
   
7. Lavasoft Ad-Aware
   Another very popular anti-spyware.
   http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/
   
8. Rootkit Revealer
   Remember Sony’s rootkit fiasco last year? It was first publisher by the author of this program. It checks your computer system againts any files that hides itself. As malicious software grows in sophistication, more and more viruses and spywares will be hidden by rootkit.
   http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/RootkitRevealer.html
   
9. Ewido Anti-Trojan
   Now, anti-virus combined with anti-spyware might have been good enough to protect againts malicious software. But if you want to be sure, get Ewido Anti-Trojan.
   http://www.ewido.net/en/download/
   
10. HijackThis
    This lightweight program offers a simple, powerful remedy for the pesky spyware and adware that manages to get past other tools. Novice users should be mindful about what they’re tossing out, but this is ideal for the infection you just can’t seem to shake.
    http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/
    
11. TOR
    If you are concerned with your privacy when surfing Internet, use The Onion Router. Using Tor can help you anonymize web browsing and publishing, instant messaging, IRC, SSH, and other applications that use the TCP protocol.
    http://tor.eff.org/