Security@Winspy
Another one of those delightful downloads that does exactly what it promises to do. Winspy reflects exactly what activity has occurred on your computer, what web sites have been visited, what text, images, and movies have been seen, and also what files have been opened and saved, the searches done and the items run at start up. A viewer allows you to view the Urls in an index.dat file. Winspy will only allow you to view tracks and is freeware - there is also a licensed eraser application available. Windows. 610Kb. Freeware.
Date Reviewed: 2004.10.06
AdAware
Much free
software is supported by advertising, and there's nothing wrong with
that at all. However, some adware applications, e.g. Gator, have a
sinister side, and these are known as spyware. Ad-aware is an award
winning, free multi spyware removal utility, that scans your memory,
registry, and hard drives for known spyware components and lets you
remove them safely. Many options like scanning depth or automatic modes
can be set in the preferences menu. Ad-aware features an easy to use
wizard-style interface, guiding you through the scanning and removal
process. Advertising/spyware systems detected by Ad-aware include
Adware, Alexa 1.0-5.0, Aureate v1.0,2.0 + 3.0, Comet Cursor v1.0 and
v2.0, Cydoor, Doubleclick, DSSAgent, EverAd, EzUla, Expedioware,
Flyswat, Gator, Hotbar 1+2, OnFlow, NewDotNet, TimeSink v1.0,v2.0 and
v5.0, Web3000, Webhancer and more... Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP. 838KB.
Free.
Reviewed before 2002.8.8
Avast! 4 Home
An
Anti-Virus package. Here's what they say: The new version of Avast!
antivirus kernel features outstanding detection abilities, together with
high performance. You can expect 100% detection of In-the-Wild viruses -
the ones what are really spreading amongst people - and very good
detection of Trojan horses, all that with only a minimum number of false
alarms. The kernel was certified by ICSA; it frequently takes part in
the tests of Virus Bulletin magazine, often yielding the VB100 award.
Recent enhancements include:
Support for new archives and
packers
New resident providers for the protection of IM and P2P
programs
Integrated avast! Virus Cleaner
New version of setup
and updating engine
Scan of auto-start items
Enhancements in the
protection of e-mail.
Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP. Free. 7.10MB.
Date Reviewed: 2003.10.12
AVG Anti Virus Home
Probably the most popular free anti-virus software for home use. You
get:
AVG Resident Protection
AVG e-mail Scanner
AVG On-Demand
Scanner
Basic Scheduled Tests
Free Virus Database
Updates
Automatic Update feature
Easy-To-Use
Interface
Automatic Healing of infected files
AVG Virus Vault for
safe handling of infected files.
Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP. Free.
6MB.
Date Reviewed: 2003.11.13
bmpPacker
An extremely
secure encrypt/decrypt application that uses the bmp image format as a
container for encrypted files. Supported cipher algorithms are Blowfish,
Twofish and Rijndael - none of which have been cracked. Only for use in
countries where strong encryption is legal. Once encrypted only
bmpPacker can decrypt. Windows XP/Me/2000/98/95. 1.09MB. Free.
Date Reviewed: 2003.08.03
Black List Monitor
A good site and good service to be in the known about, not
free but offering an important real-time service to monitor your IP
addresses, to check if your site has been blacklisted. They
will inform you when you were listed, where you are listed,
and what to do to start the removal process. While they have
a free trial run, the service is not free, but is valuable to
know about. If you are a legitimate email marketer, you may
be concerned if your IPs are listed on various black lists.
If this is the case ISP's may not deliver your emails. Black
List Monitor will report back to you exactly on which sites
you may have been blacklisted. There is a free trial.
Sign ups and a full service is #67.00 a year.
Date Reviewed: 2006.08.01
Chameleon-file encryption
As electronic privacy is a now a highly sought after commodity, this
secure file encryption application that hides and encrypts your
files, is a handy package to have. All your files are hidden away so
you can e mail, upload and download, without fear. Chameleon claims
to be so strong that not even a Server can find it,if your file hides something else inside.
The application functions by compressing WinZip v1.0, encrypting, Double 128 bit Blowfish encryption fast
algorithm ASM on the fly, scrambling them and then attaching them to the host files of your choice.
This file then looks and behaves like a normal file, and can be manipulated without attracting attention.
It is compatible with Windows 9x/ ME/ SE/ NT/ XP/ 2000. Freeware.
Date Reviewed: 2004.09.28
DesktopSafe lite
This is a an on screen safe in which you can record all you passwords,
credit card and important personal and confidential information. Then, you
can lock it away all with just one password. The download is free 3192KB.
Date Reviewed: 2004.03.04
Eraser
An advanced
security tool that allows one to completely remove sensitive data from
the hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected
patterns. When you download use the alternative link on the page - the
main download link doesn't work. Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP. Free.
2.59MB.
Date Reviewed: 2003.08.01
Hijack This
A general homepage hijackers detector and remover. Initially based
on the article Hijacked, but expanded with almost a dozen other
checks against hijacker tricks. It is continually updated to detect
and remove new hijacks. It does not target specific programs/URLs,
just the methods used by hijackers to force you onto their sites. As
a result, false positives are imminent and unless you are sure what
you're doing, you should always consult with knowledgable folks
[e.g. the forums] before deleting anything. An essential tool we use
all the time but be careful with it. 153Kb. Freeware.
Date Reviewed: 2004.08.17
Home PC Firewall Guide
Provides
access to independent, third-party reviews of Internet security products
for home and small office end-users. Products tracked include personal
firewall, anti-virus, anti-Trojan and privacy software as well as
low-cost wired and wireless routers with firewall features. Reviews
include BlackICE, CheckIT, ConSeal, Deerfield, eSafe Desktop, eTrust EZ,
Firekeys, Freedom, GuardWall. HackTracer, Internet Firewall 2000, Kerio,
Look'n'Stop, McAfee, Mindsoft, NeoWatch, Norman, Norton, Outpost,
pcInternet Patrol, PC Viper, Preventon, Privacyware, SecureUp,
SurfSecret, Sphinx, Sygate, TermiNet, TGB:BOB, Tiny, VirusMD, VisNetic,
Webroot & ZoneAlarm. Many of these security products are free.
Date Reviewed: 2002.10.27
HouseCall
It seems that no
anti-virus software catches them all. So, whatever system you use, a
periodic online check is a good idea. You will do no better than
HouseCall, free for home and individual users.
Date Reviewed: 2003.12.01
Jetico Personal Firewall
Jetico will protect you from unwanted hacker attacks when you
are connected to the internet and will also prevent malicious
software that may have found its way onto your machine from
sending out your personal or private data. The software offers
3 layers of protection - low level [network packets],
application level [network events] and user level [process
activity]. In this day and age everyone should have some form
of firewall running on their machine and if you do not this is
worth having a look at. Win9x/NT4/ME/Win2k/XP. 2.617Mb.
Freeware.
Date Reviewed: 2005.04.23
McAfee Virus Information Library
There are more than 57,000
computer viruses out there. The McAfee AVERT Virus
Information Library has detailed information on where
viruses come from, how they infect your system, and how to
remove them.
Reviewed before 2002.8.8
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
In response to direct customer need for a streamlined method of identifying common security misconfigurations, Microsoft has developed the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer [MBSA]. MBSA Version 1.2 includes a graphical and command line interface that can perform local or remote scans of Windows systems. MBSA runs on Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 systems and will scan for common system misconfigurations. Windows 2000/XP. 1.55 Mb. Freeware.
Date Reviewed: 2004.08.31
MyDoom Removal Tool - Symantec
As
I`m sure you are aware the MyDoom virus has been plaguing the Internet over the last couple of
weeks and has made malicious attacks on both the SCO and Microsoft web sites. At one stage upto
40% of all e-mail traffic on the internet was infected with this virus. Symantec have released
a stand alone removal tool to scan and clean your machine of this virus and I strongly suggest
that you run this tool to be sure. Free.
Date Reviewed: 2004.02.09
Norton/Symantec
Symantec
is one of the leaders in anti-virus technology and maintain
a quality information program for all.
Reviewed before 2002.8.8
Sasser Worm - Windows Loophole Patch
There is a new, highly manignant, worm taking advantage of a windows vulnerability called Sasser. This virus is being spread through the internet and not via e-mail and is going like wild-fire. Microsoft has released a patch to fix the security loophole. We strongly suggest you visit and install this patch and that you update your anti-virus.
Date Reviewed: 2004.05.06
Scarabay
A compact and efficient passwords manager, saves and protects
logins, passwords and any secret information, Identity fields can
be dragged and dropped, the program provides reliable encryption,
can create passwords of any complexity with the help of a password
generator. Any number of data files can be created, copied or edited,
with back up and a data recovery system . Windows 98/Me/2000/NT/XP.
800kB. Freeware.
Date Reviewed: 2005.02.03
Sobig.f Virus - Complete Removal Tool
W32.Sobig.F@mm is a mass-mailing, network-aware
worm that sends itself to all the email addresses it finds in files that
have the following extensions: .dbx .eml .hlp .htm .html .mht .wab .txt.
Date Reviewed: 2003.08.24
Spam Pal
A usefull and quite efficient spam filter, that checks your e- mail
as you retrieve it. Configuring your sytem to handle the program,
is reasonably easy to do. Spam E mail then gets tagged and put into
a seperate folder. SpamPal has a powerful whitelisting feature that
allows you to ignore DNSBL listings for certain senders or for parts
of the Internet, so you can really determine your own areas of e-
mail acceptance or rejection. Win95/98/ME/NT/2K/XP 741 Kb.
Freeware
Date Reviewed: 2005.02.11
SpyBot - Search & Destroy
SpyBot-S&D searches your hard drive for so-called spy or adbots; that
is, little modules that are responsible for the ads many programs
display. Many of these modules also transmit information, including your
surfing behavior on the Internet. If SpyBot-S&D finds such modules, it
can remove them. In most cases the host still runs fine after removing
the spyware/adware. Windows XP/Me/NT4/2000/98. 2.32MB. Free.
Date Reviewed: 2003.01.30
SpywareGuard
SpywareGuard is a real time anti-spyware solution that will work in
conjunction with your spyware removal software. SpywareGuard prevents
spyware and browser hijackers from being downloaded in the first
place. It has fast, real time scanning and live update capability.
Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP. 1.96 Mb. Freeware/ Donationware.
Date Reviewed: 2004.07.13
Stay Safe Online
The National Cyber Security Alliance is an alliance of
business and government organizations working to educate you
on the importance of protecting PCs from online intruders.
Unless computer users implement proper security procedures,
computer viruses such as Code Red and the I Love You virus,
denial of service attacks, Trojan Horse programs, and other
malicious activities can take advantage of computer
vulnerabilities and result in billions of dollars worth of
damage. You'll find tips on how to safeguard your system, a
self-guided cyber security test, educational materials, and
other Internet resources. Everyone with a PC should visit
this site.
Reviewed before 2002.8.8
Sygate Personal Firewall
Free for personal use, Sygate Personal Firewall provides top draw security,
with a most user-friendly interface, protecting your PC from hackers, trojans
and DoS attacks.New features include Deep Packet Inspection, Anti-Application
Hijacking, Smart WINS, Log Dampener, and enhanced log.
Date Reviewed: 2004.03.11
@Winspy 2.03
Another one of those delightful small downloads that does exactly
what it promises to do. Winspy reflects exactly what activity has
occurred on your computer, what web sites have been visited, what
text, images, and movies have been seen, and also what files have
been opened and saved, the searches done and the items run at start
up. A viewer allows you to view the Urls in your index.dat file.
Freeware
Date Reviewed: 2004.09.26
W32.Klez
W32.Klez is a particularly nasty virus that escapes
many anti-virus systems and is proliferating . Here's the Symantec
description: W32.Klez.gen@mm is a mass-mailing worm that will send
itself to all email addresses in the Microsoft Outlook Address Book. The
subject and attachment name of incoming emails are randomly chosen. The
attachment will have one of the following extensions: .bat, .exe, .pif
or .scr. The worm may include a virus that will destroy all files on the
13th of March and September. The TuDogs link takes you directly to the
download page for this free removal tool.
Reviewed before 2002.8.8
Zone Alarm
One doesn't need to
install expensive systems to protect your computer from invasion. The
ZoneAlarm free version is only a firewall - but as such it permits no
intrusion into your computer from the internet that you haven't
approved, and no information to be sent out of your computer by software
that you haven't approved. Windows XP/Me/NT4/2000/98. Free. 3.58MB
Date Reviewed: 2003.07.07
