 Downloads
Your PC, if you're anything like us, is where
you spend a fair proportion of your time. It may even be key to you
making a living, so you want to make sure that it's secure and well
protected against those people out there who'd love nothing more than
to wreck your computer, get access to your personal details, or simply
use your PC for their dirty work, sending junk mail out to millions
of users.
So, we've put together a selection of programs
that we recommend you install and use on your computer to provide the
level of protection that you need.
We've also put in a few programs just for
fun!
Please be aware that these are all produced
by other companies - we can't suport them in any way. We just want
to make you aware of what's out there!
Firewalls:
ZoneAlarm |
A firewall is a way of keeping
unauthorised users away from your PC, and especially for users
with a broadband connection to the internet, this is a "must
have"!
Windows XP (with Service Pack 2) comes with a built
in firewall - we recommend activating this.
However, we also recommend ZoneAlarm - this is a
free firewall (although it has versions you can pay for to get
extra features), and the free version adds another layer of security
to protect your PC.
You can download ZoneAlarm from:
http://www.zonelabs.com
Just look out for the free version! |
Anti-virus:
AVG Anti-virus & Norton Security |
Anti-virus software is essential to stop programs
being installed that are designed to harm your computer.
We recommend two packages - one is free; the other
has a subscription.
AVG Anti-virus - this is free, and has regular updates
to the virus database (essential in any anti-virus program).
Download it from:
http://www.grisoft.com
Norton Internet Security - this will cost you,
but is is produced by one of the recognised leaders in internet
security
solutions.
http://www.symantec.com |
Adware
Ad-Aware |
Adware is software which will typically monitor your activity
on your computers, then pops up those annoying adverts that you
may have seen, normally in a browser window that you never opened
yourself.
If you're happy to have software you didn't install running
and watching your every move, don't bother installing this.
However, if you want to get rid of adware and the cookies etc.
that it uses to track your activities, we recommend you install
this and run a full scan on a weekly basis.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/
adaware/ |
Spyware
Spybot - Search and Destroy |
Spyware is notoriously dangerous, and is typically
installed without your knowledge by other programs that you may
download from the internet.
Spyware will watch your use of your computer, potentially
logging your keyboard presses as you use internet banking etc.
and can then forward your details on to the author of the spyware
to use as he sees fit (and you can be sure it won't be what you'd
want).
Spyware can also cause your PC to dial premium rate
numbers, leaving you with a massive phone bill, or can redirect
your browser to pornographic or other inappropriate web sites.
Spybot - Search and Destroy is one of the most popular
programs for getting rid of spyware - we recommend you install
it, and run a scan once a week. http://www.safer-networking.org/en/ |
Windows extras from Microsoft
|
Microsoft has released a range of extras for
your Windows XP or Windows Media Centre PC.
This includes the Windows PowerToys - a great selection
of extra programs that you can install for free.
Also, you will find a range of screensavers, desktops
and sound files to liven up your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/
downloads/powertoys |
Microsoft Update
|
This is essential for any Windows PC or server, and keeps your
computer up to date with the latest updates for Windows and for
Microsoft Office.
This replaces the original Windows Update site.
http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate
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Safe
downloading.
One of the things that the internet does is makes it
easy for the "little guy" to make his views known, and to be able to
cheaply distribute music and software.
This is a great thing when used well, but it also makes
it easy for those people with bad intentions to put out software that's
designed either to harm you or to benefit someone else at your expense.
So, when you're downloading software from the internet,
please take some sensible precautions.
Firstly, virus check everything that you download before
you install it.
Secondly, download software from established sites with
a good reputation. We recommend www.download.com.
Thirdly, run regular scans of your PC to protect against
and remove viruses, adware and spyware.
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