Ideal Software to Have...

Hello,

Could anyone please post your "favorite" list of programs that are necessary to have a clean, running in excellent condition PC?

I could use some suggestions for my PC

Thank you!!

Gracie

 

Just make sure you have a firewall, antivirus software, and antispyware software.
Some suggestions......

Firewall: McAfee, (zone alarm if you want a free one)

Antivirus: McAfee

Antispyware: Microsoft Antispyware, Adaware, Spybot Search and Destroy (use all three, they're free)

 

I find Norton SystemWorks to be very helpful. It will find and safely fix different system errors like registry, program integrity, virus check etc... it's way beyond what just Windows can do with built in utilities like checkdisk, although running checkdisk every once in a while is also helpful too, if you don't have NSW. This will help your system run smoother.

There are other programs like NSW around that can do similar checks for errors of the registry etc... that you may find useful as well. But I've not tried them all, so I can't say how safe they may be. NSW is very safe and has never caused any problems on my systems in many years of running it on the different OSes I've migrated through- 98/ME/XP.

As the previous poster said having good AV and AS scanners will help also to keep your system running smooth. Don't forget to always keep them up to date and run them on a regular schedule to look for and remove any malware that you may have. Otherwise the malware could slow your system way down.

Also knowing your system and what it can handle will help you keep it running as fast as possible too. For example, the more programs you run, generally the slower it can make your system, so it's good to try to get your list of start up apps down to a minimum and only run necessary programs. That way your system will start quicker and run snappier.

Hth.

 

Hi,

Programs:

CCleaner

http://www.ccleaner.com/

Excellent for cleaning lists of used docs, temp files and such. Free.

TuneUp Utilities 2006

http://www.tune-up.com/

Not free, but the easiest and safest I found. Worth the investment.

Is this what you meant - cleaners? Or security?

For security (all free):

Firewall - ZoneAlarm
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/conten...eeDownload.jsp


Anti-virus - AVG

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1


Anti-spyware & anti-trojan

Microsoft Anti-Spyware

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...e/default.mspx

Spybot Search and Destroy

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/

Ad-Aware SE

http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html

Ewido

http://www.ewido.net/en/

Spyware blaster

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html


Java

http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp


Firefox broswer

http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/


Thuderbird mail

http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird/

Try this, if you want more - I can post more.
If you want paid applications:
NOD32 or Kaspersky anti-virus.
Ewido - for money for real-time protection.
A2 anti-trojan, with IDS real-time protection.

Also:
Proxomitron web and privacy filter.
Various extensions for Firefox.

Mrk

 

You may want to also the "polls" section of the forum (towards the bottom of the main wilderssecurity forum page). Remember programs change over time and so will the polls.

 

Hello Gracie,

I would consider the basics to be a good antivirus, an anti spyware (or two) and a decent firewall, Preferably with applications monitoring capabilities..

Here are a few suggestions:
Spware Dr (Not free but certainly one of the best!)
http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/
Spybot Search & Destroy (Free + has a Real Time memory Sheild)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
NOD32 from Eset (Currently Best & Highest rated Antivirus solution)
http://www.eset.com/download/download.htm
Zone Alarm Pro (or even the free version contains App monitoring)
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/conte...jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=US&lang=en&lid=ho_za:thumb:
Diskeeper Proffessional (or Home edition) this is my personal Pick as most important after security software:
http://www.diskeeper.com/products/products.asp?RId=1&SId=&CId=1&Aeid=0&Apid=0
System Mechanics 6 (This is probably the most useful & Powerful System Utility I have ever used...)
http://www.iolo.com/sm/6/index.cfm

There are other important tools but they are technical tools like Port Explorer & Process Explorer and others..
I hope this helps!

Guy

 

without wasting time.. i will say u should use a antivirus, antispywrae, and firewall. does that answer ur ?

 

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I will consider all of them and see which ones I like best...