Software (Mostly Free)

 

Over the past couple of years Adware/Spyware has grown to being a more serious problem than normal Viruses
It is to a point now where this type of software is responsible for more infections than conventional viruses.
I refer to this Spy/Adware as parasite-ware.. Like a Leech or a Tick.

So the following are links to software I use and recommend for cleaning Windows XP based PC, I still coming to speed on Vista so I will post what I know as I encounter problems with peoples machines.

As well I have included links to Software sites that I have frequented. Some that are handy for me and that may even be handy for you

Tools to Protect and/or Clean your PC

Please Read my Warning at the Bottom of the Page

 

 

  

 

The Removal Step
  Spybot Search & Destroy This is the Parasite removal software.  
The first step in protecting your PC
Adaware  
HiJackThis

 CWShredder		 HJT & CWS are now owned by Trend Micro. At this time they are still free

 AVG Anti-Virus (free)

The Protection Step
SpywareBlaster Tighten your Browsers security (FireFox and Internet Explorer)
A-Squared Free Trial Version- one of the best Spyware detection and removal progs
   
Hosts File Block your PC from even visiting the suspect sites on the Web.  Mainly Targeting known bad Adware and porn Sites
Cache Cleaner (CCleaner) This tool helps keep the accumulated "crap' out of your PC, this is the stuff that fill your hard drive, and in some cases where some of the parasites hide
Recommended Install Programs

Firefox (web-browser)

The web-browser That I currently recommend.

Mailwasher
 PoP Peeper

Also how I control the spam. and other unwanted emails BEFORE they get to my Inbox

Mailwasher is a commercial prog uses white and blacklists and (on the Paid version)updates of known spamers.
Pop-peeper lets you view before downloading
IrfanView This is an image viewer, you can do batch conversions..rename, size and resolution
Nice Freeware
WinRAR
7Zip		 Winrar: Commercial File Compression Prog
7Zip: as above but free.. sending files that are large. Or someone sent you a file that has a weird extension like rar, 7z,tar, gzip etc

Email Stripper

 

Clean the extra rubbish before forwarding mail.  When you forward a mail, all the previous recipients and those you send Hidden or not.. food for someone else's virus
Adobe Acrobat (pdf)  Reader
 Foxit PDF reader
PDFCreator		 PDF Reader. Acrobat from Adobe and
Foxit a lite version
PDF Creator is an Open source version (Free) you will want the MSI Installer
   

Treepad-Lite (free)

Treepad Home Page

 Excellent Notepad.. I use it with my service work.. great to keep running notes when working on a job.. or just a method to organise thoughts.
Some of the Toys I Play With
SpaceMonger - v1.4 (Free)
 Spacemonger 2.1 (30 day Demo)		 This is handy to see what files are stealing space on your Hard Drive. I can not warn enough of the Danger of randomly deleting files. Delete the wrong thing and you PC wont Work
Convert Need to convert Furlongs to Hectometres, Celsius to Fahrenheit.  We this baby will do just that
Ultra VNC Computer Remote Control software. Handy for desktop support (can be detected as a virus). I recommend using with a good firewall and strong password, and only running when needed.
Process Explorer See what is running on Win XP (or earlier) get a better view than the lame MS Task Manager
TCPView See what is looking out of your windows: what your Win pc is talking to outside your PC.

 

 SETI@Home

Lunar Calendar and Eclipse Finder

 

Well I am a Science/Space nut:

BOINC/SETI: for if you wish to have your PC running 24/7 at 100%

 

 

 

NOTE: While I use and have had few or no problems with the listed Software. I Always express caution when using software that you are unfamiliar with or not sure about when setting it up. At the time of posting the most of the software was available or a version was free for personal use. Also the listed software was free of any advertising or parasite software. As things do change without notice, please be on the lookout With the software from the Download Sites I have listed, these Carry a mix of Freeware, Shareware, Demoware, Adware, And Retail Software, Please If you are not sure Check the sites interpretation of the terms I have listed BEFORE starting a download, If you don't feel comfortable with what is being said ASK an expert.

.Always "Cavet Emtor": Buyer Beware