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| Community Feedback | Your Resource Center Since 1999 | | Community Feedback's Frequently Referenced Computer Maintenance and Security Software Links Items included in this list are links to specific programs used for computer maintenance and security that are frequently mentioned on the messageboards of Community Feedback. Only programs that are commonly used and trusted by members of the group are included. *Special Notice: Authorized members of Community Feedback will assist others with the removal of unwanted software identified by the "Hijack This" program listed under Spyware Removal. Note that not all items identified are bad. For assistance, download the program, follow the instructions to create a system log, and post it on our General message board. Spyware Removal | Name | Link | Comments | Cost | | SuperAntispyware | Click here | Spyware records your surfing history on the net. Also removes some items that generate pop-up advertising and home page redirection. | Free - Enhanced version available for a fee | | Spybot | Click here | Spyware records your surfing history on the net. Also removes some items that generate pop-up advertising and home page redirection. | Free | | Malwarebytes Antimalware | Click here | Another good removal and protection tool. Is able to remove some of the more stubborn malware and is Vista compatible. | Free -Enhanced version available for a fee | | SpywareBlaster | Click here | Blocks download of malicious scripting and access to known "bad" sites. | Free | | WinPatrol | Click here | Helps you select which cookies you want; warns when new ones are added. | Free - Enhanced version available for a fee | | Hijack This | Click here
Vista users click here. | Removes Browser hijackers that can change your homepage, search engine, connection settings, etc. *Do not use without assistance. | Free | Firewall Programs | Name | Link | Comments | Cost | | ZoneAlarm (now Checkpoint) | Click here | Helps block access to your computer while you are online. When installing, do not allow toolbar to install. | Free | | Kerio Personal Edition (now Sunbelt) | Click here | Helps block access to your computer while you are online. | Free | Antivirus Software | Name | Link | Comments | Cost | | Avira AntiVir | Click here | Free antivirus with excellent detection rates. Please see the post here for additional information. Scroll down slightly on page for download link (do not click on Google ad sponsored programs at the top of the download page). | Free | | Avast Home Edition | Click here | Home edition is a full-featured antivirus package designed for home usage. The company offers Home Edition free of charge, since in its opinion, it is possible to avoid global virus spreading by efficient prevention. | Free | Online Virus Scan | Name | Link | Comments | Cost | | Community Feedback's Virus Alert | Click here | Community Feedback's Virus Alert page includes a link to Trend Micro's free Housecall online virus scan. | Free | | Symantec Security Check | Click here | For optimum virus protection, regularly scan with an online virus scan. | Free | | Eset Online Scan | Click here | For optimum virus protection, regularly scan with an online virus scan.
| Free | | Kaspersky Online Scan | Click here | For optimum virus protection, regularly scan with an online virus scan. Vista compatible. | Free | Ad and Popup Blocking | Name | Link | Comments | Cost | | Hosts File | Click here | A "hosts" file on your computer can override the source location for ads and popups. This site provides a downloadable preconfigured hosts file and information about how to use it. | Free | | NoAds | Click here | NoAds works well, does not interfere with posting in MSN Groups, and is free. | Free | | Google Toolbar | Click here | Free popup blocker from Google. Works well with MSN Groups. | Free | | Avant Browser | Click here | A more aggressive approach, Avant Browser is a multi-tabbed browser, built on the IE core, that includes cookie management, popup, and flash animation blocking. | Free | Miscellaneous | Name | Link | Comments | Cost | | ATF Cleaner | Click here | Cleaning up temporary files is an important part of regular computer maintenance. ATF Cleaner does this safely and efficiently for a number of different browsers, plus it also cleans the Java cache. | Free | | Windows Updates | Click here | Windows Updates are vital to keeping your PC and your information secure against malicious Internet users. | Free | | Microsoft Office Update | Click here | Office Updates are vital to keeping your PC and your information secure against malicious Internet users. Only necessary for people that have Office, Works, Word, Excel, Access, Frontpage, Outlook, and/or PowerPoint installed. | Free | | Pacs-Portal | Click here | This site contains an extensive list of programs commonly seen in startup. You can cross-reference the files listed on the startup tab in "msconfig" to help you decide which programs you really need to start automatically. This is a handy tool, but it should not be used by a novice without assistance. | Free | | SysInfo.org | Click here
Click here | The first link is to Paul Collins' (aka Pacman) list of system startup entries.
Startup entries are registry entries that tell Windows which programs to start upon system. This is a handy list, but it should not be used by a novice without assistance. The second link is to Paul's BHO (Browser Helper Object) or CLSID list. This too is a handy list, but it should not be used by a novice without assistance. | Free | |
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