What are your must haves?

As an experienced computer user, but new to Windows XP, I'd like to know what you all consider your "must have"  and "why" software packages in terms of:

1. Security
2. Privacy
3. Browsing experience (ad blockers, etc)
4. System maintenance
5. Anything else you think worthy of a mention.

I'm mostly interested in XP stuff, I'm starting to research this for my whole family.

 

*Deleted your double-post as per your request. When you just click on your post and read it, isn't there a link to click on to remove it down under the post box itself? Or is that just on mine as a mod? Pete

Oh, yeah, XP-AntiSpy: http://www.xp-antispy.org/ (click on the link for the English version).

 

ZAP or Outpost Pro runs fine. I use one or the other, depends on my mood.
They both offer Plug-Ins such as Ad and Pop-Up stopping, Cookie Control and Mobile Code.

I use NAV2002 as my AV.
NOD32 needs to change its interface before I will use it.

BOClean runs Resident and Trojan Hunter is On Demand.

RegRun3 is a must have, it alerts you to changes in the StartUp area and even more importantly it alerts you to changes in Services.

XP-AntiSpy is a must have also.
Don’t Panic is a good program if you have people walking around you all the time.
Folder Shield or Privacy maker for securing folders.

I use IEClean, Window Washer, and WinBrush for cleaning Temp files Etc...
CleanReg3 and Registry Compressor Pro for the Registry.
I use DisKeeper for Defragging.

 

This is always fun because until someone asks, I don't even realize how important something is!

For me, first things first, the program that allows everything else to function properly. Hands-down for me, my #1 "must-have" is EASY DESKTOP. It is Windows the way Windows should be. It's a fairly big program in "pockets" around the country but they don't have a huge ad budget. One of the guys on TechTV is a huge fan, but I have to be the biggest! I have to be - I couldn't face the deluge of icons and the maze of Windows without it. You can download a full 30-day, fully functioning trial copy at the Microseconds website.
www.microseconds.com
You have TEN screens just like the one below. You can configure each button to do anything (launch a program, website, file, etc.) I have everything organized under Labels like "Security" "Anti-Virus" (Where I'll have my program, plus a button or two to virus information sites, etc.) "Privacy" "Forums" "Product Support Sites" "System Utilitities" "Word Processing" "Graphics" "Freeware Sites" "Frequently Accessed Documents" "eBay Auctions I'm Watching" "Favorite Photographs"  -- you get the idea. Everything in Windows is a click away. Look at this screenshot carefully and then trek on over to MicroSeconds!

http://www.microseconds.com/easymain.jpg

The rest are in no particular order:

"Express Assist 2000" for a quick 30-second backup of all of my Outlook Express folders, rules, etc. To change computers or after a reinstall, "Express Assist" makes it a snap.
http://www.ajsystems.com/oexhome.html

"Drive Image 5.0" to always have a clean, fresh copy of win98se configured just the way I want it, minutes away. My program files and data are on a separate partition. It allows me to "play around" and restore the image to its "pristine" state.   http://www.powerquest.com/driveimage/

"Kremlin" for particular and specific encryption duties.  http://www.kremlinencrypt.com/

"DriveCrypt" AND "BestCrypt" for heavy encryption duties.  www.drivecrypt.com and  http://www.jetico.com/bcrypt7.htm

"StealthDisk" for the hiding of folders AND PROGRAMS. Great little program.
www.stealthdisk.com

"Window Washer" (just out with a brand new version) or "IEClean" for scrubbing after surfing.   http://www.nsclean.com/ieclean.html  
http://www.webroot.com/washer.htm

"JV16 Power Tools" for a great registry clean-up, startup manager and lots more.
http://www.vtoy.fi/jv16/shtml/powertools.shtml

"Eraser" for wiping single files, free space, or a whole drive. (The whole drive obviously from DOS). Best part is it's a free program but includes lots of configurations including using DOD 3-pass, 7-pass and Gutmann.
http://www.tolvanen.com/eraser/

"WinRAR" for zipping, unzipping in all formats. Awesome program that includes not the easy-to-crack password protocol for WinZip, but real, true-blue 128 bit encryption using AES.
http://www.rarsoft.com/index2.htm

Others: AdAware, SpyBotSD, PGP, Cookie Cop, Backup Magic, (the easiest backup program around), Password Safe for storing password info in 128 bit encryption.

That was fun. There's mine. With Easy Desktop having to be my absolute must have.

Good luck!

John

 

snapdragin - You're quite welcome. That's the only easy-to-use program I've heard about that consistently works well and does what it's supposed to with XP.

I'm probably not going to ever get XP (unless it's right before M$ comes out with whatever their next OS is - it'll probably take them that long to get it right/secure) - right now my plan is (if either of my current OS's go belly up) to install W98 (not SE) with the Service Pack, which I've already gotten.

 

MY must haves....
1.) anti-virus: NOD32
2.) anti-trojan: TDS-3.2.1
3.) anti-worm: Worm Guard
4.) firewall: Kerio Personal Firewall
5.) e-mail client: The Bat!
6.) script protection: Script Sentry
7.) proxy/filter: Proxomitron
8.) registry protection: DCS RegistryProt
9.) adware and spybots: Lavasoft Adaware and SpybotS&D
10.) internet tracks: Internet Sweeper
11.) registry and misc. file tools: jv16 PowerTools
12.) sniffer: Ethereal
13.) cookie management: Cookie Pal
14.) defragmenting: Diskeeper
15.) IE bug fix/cache manager: Cache Sentry
16.) monitor files for changes: NISFileCheck

Man, I did not even realize my list was this long!!!!!!

Regards,
Kent

 

I am a visitor to your forum. I was given a link here to look at this board on must have tools. There are some good lists here for people like me and others in my office who  know we need help but don't know what we need. Computer security is something that  intimidates me. Its all Greek. Wish there was an all in 1 solution. One thing I saw on that page that was not secure related but was sure a nifty progam was that easy desktop. My buddy pointed out in his e-mail to be sure and look at that. He also gave me the link to the company. That is some kind of little program. Where has it been hiding? I also got a copy of XP antispy. I have XP at home. Don't like it though. Wish I would have stuck it out with my windows me. Is XP suppose to be more secure? Thanks for the tips.  Bill

 

Hello, Bill!

Welcome to the forum. So you like Easy Desktop, huh? It's one of those programs that after you use it, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it. If you have XP, XP AntiSpy is a must. In fact, there have been more good programs mentioned in this thread than in any other I can remember since I have been around. By the way, if you would, email me and let me know who your friend is that is sold on Easy Desktop, maybe we could trade tips, etc.

John

 

If you really want protection with your firewall SpyBlocker 5.0 protects port 80 from nasties & I use it on WinME and it works great. Anyone with XP should use SB2.zip. my 2cents...