PC Safety
Firewalls
Sygate
Description
This is still the best firewall that has ever been created. It offers the best protection for the best user friendliness. Unfortunately this success was also noticed by Symantec Corporation. They bought the company and ended the free version of this great product.
The last free version was released in 2004 and still is available on the net. I've tried replacing my sygate several times with 'newer' and 'more up to date' firewalls, but in the end I always go back to it and I'm still using it now.
Rating: 5/5
Outpost
Description
The only one that comes close to Sygate. They actually advertise with the slogan A Great Replacement for Sygate.
Rating: 4/5
Antivirus
Antivir
Description
Lightweight, free and good protection, what else can you want?
This is the only software I use that is adware: they show an ad after downloading the latest virus library, but they are not aggressive in their ads.
Rating: 4,5/5
AVG
Description
Very similar features than Antivir, but I dropped this program for antivir after reading a few virus comparitives where it did not come out too well.
I still consider it to be good though
Rating: 4/5
Avast
Description
Also used this for quite a bit and I was very happy with it, but it uses more resources than the other 2 free antivirus programs that are described on this page. I like lightweight!
Rating: 4/5
Anti Spyware
Ad-aware
Description
If you use only one antispyware program, use this one!
Rating: 5/5
Spybot
Description
If you use only 2 antispyware programs (you should!), use ad-aware and this one!
Rating: 5/5
Miscellaneous
HijackThis
Description
This program checks the startup list of you PC. It will find programs you weren't aware were there. It is used for detection of spyware and other malware. Be aware though! Interpreting the results of HijackThis' scan is not easy. If in doubt, ask for help on a forum!
This program has recently been bought by Trend Micro. The link still points to the original author's website.
Rating: 5/5