CSC 170 Introduction to Computers and their Applications
SYSTEM TOOLS
| Windows Defender | Usually pre-installed on Windows Machines has midling ratings but is far better than nothing |
| MalwareBytes Adware removal | Free MalwareBytes is very valuable at removing adware |
| Windows Update | For Windows/XP is a must do to catch all security updates |
| Ad-aware by Lavasoft | Ad ware scanner. The free version is very good. |
| Spybot | Sypware scanner. |
| Spyware Blaster | Another Spyware scanner |
| Panicware Pop-up stopper | Pop-up stopper |
| Hijack This | Great for tracing problems when you are researching a problem the automatic repair programs cannot fix. |
| Tech Guy Support Forum | Virus or Adware research forum- Great site for researching problems |
| Spam Info | Good information on fighting spam |
| Trend Micro | Online virus scanner - good extra once a month for free (choose Housecall free virus scan) or good automatic updater for $50 |
| Panda | Online virus scanner - good extra once a month for free or good automatic updater for $40 - but no firewall. |
| Instructions on using Windows Check Disk and Defrag |
To check your hard disk, you can run a disk scan, and then you can also defragment it (which means that you put all the file parts together so that data isn't scattered).
|
Disclaimer: These are programs that have been recommended to me. I do not guarantee they will never harm a system.
Some other good free software
| Irfanview | Free graphics program |