Features

1. Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic
www.free-av.com
Size: 16.3MB

Everybody needs virus protection, and in issue 155's antivirus group test we found AntiVir to be one of the most effective - and it's completely free. True, it isn't the most fully featured antivirus package around, and you have to live with the occasional nag window urging you to upgrade to the paid-for version. But for sheer effectiveness, AntiVir is almost unbeatable, with only the commercial Kaspersky Anti-Virus package doing better in our Labs test.

2. HijackThis
www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn
Size: 793KB

HijackThis is a simple but extremely useful tool in the right hands: it lists every non-standard startup setting on your system, whether in the Registry or another configuration file, exposing unwanted startup items, browser helpers and even malware. A single click returns settings to their default value, preventing the unwanted software from launching with Windows. Use with care, though, as untutored meddling in the Registry can have dire consequences.

3. ZoneAlarm
www.zonealarm.com
Size: 201KB

The free ZoneAlarm firewall has been a favourite in the PC Pro office for many years, delivering dependable security without the constant nagging of other security software. ZoneAlarm will alert you when apps attempt to access the internet for the first time - handy for knee-capping those apps that snidely report back to base without any prior warning. There's also a one-click Internet Lock that immediately shuts off all net traffic if you suspect something's gone horribly wrong on your system. It's undoubtedly inferior to ZoneAlarm's paid-for protection, but sturdy enough for those who don't need granular control over their security software.

4. Password Safe
http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net
Size: 1.5MB

There are lots of utilities around that act as a secure repository for all your passwords, but few can claim a world-leading cryptologist as their author. Password Safe uses internationally renowned cipher man Bruce Schneier's Twofish algorithm, rendering your online credentials as safe as you could expect them to be. The idea is you let it remember all your passwords - bank, webmail and so on - then choose and remember just one super-secure password to protect them all. The project is now open source, but Schneier was the original author - visit his page at www.schneier.com/passsafe.html.

5. Cypherix Cryptainer LE
www.cypherix.com
Size: 3.06MB

Encyrption isn't just for MI5 agents with a penchant for leaving laptops in cabs: anyone who handles sensitive information should consider it. And you can't hide behind too-difficult-to-use excuses: not only is Cryptainer LE free, it's also simple to install and use. It creates a secure volume (under Vista, this appears as a "device with removable storage" in Computer), which you then drag and drop your data into. The main restriction of this product is the vault's maximum 25MB size, but there's no compromise when it comes to security, as Cryptainer offers you the choice of either the highly respected Blowfish448 algorithm or AES256.

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