By Peter Butler
(6/29/06)
Security and spyware protection is one area where you don't want to skimp. Judging by the tales we've seen in our Spyware Horror Stories, an unprotected PC can go from a high-speed powerhouse to a sluggish mess in mere minutes. While we do recommend seeking out the best possible protection for your PC, many average computer users can't afford a full Internet security suite. Luckily, there are several great free programs that provide basic security coverage for Windows users. From blocking intrusions and removing spyware to detecting viruses and encrypting your data, these 10 programs comprise the best free security software on Download.com. Be sure to chime in with your favorite free security and spyware software at the bottom of the page.
ZoneAlarm
Monitoring both inbound and outbound traffic to your computer, this free firewall provides excellent protection for the average PC user. Select which programs can access the Net, or block all traffic completely when you're away from your machine.
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
The free version of AVG's antivirus software doesn't include heuristics to detect previously unknown viruses, but it does update its definition files daily. Customizable and easy to use, AVG is a good free choice for unprotected users.
SpywareBlaster
Detecting and removing spyware is important, but it's even better to keep it off your machine completely. Javacool Software's nifty utility prevents ActiveX-based malware from installing itself on your PC.
HijackThis
When your standard adware protection isn't solving your problem, try this target scanner. It analyzes key areas of your local drive and Registry to suggest all possible threats.
Microsoft Windows Defender
Free of charge for all registered Windows users, this beta program from Microsoft detects and removes malware from your machine. Additional tools include a privacy eraser and scan scheduler.
CCleaner
Not only will this fabulous freeware wipe away your Internet surfing tracks, it also removes unused files on your machine to optimize performance. A Registry-cleaning tool with automatic backup functionality is the icing on the cake.
TrueCrypt
Using 11 algorithms for encrypting your important data, this open-source tool provides more functionality than many programs for sale. Once you get past the initial learning curve, securing your private data is as simple as mounting a local drive.
SpyCatcher Express 2006
Antispyware definition files change from week to week, but this free offering from Tenebril catches malware that other scans don't. The detection engine is quite aggressive, however, so users should be careful not to delete any files they know are safe.
AOL Active Security Monitor
It's not perfect, but this free tool from AOL offers a solid analysis of the current level of protection for your computer or network. The utility diagnoses five areas of your system and provides recommendations for improvement, if needed.
Avast Home Edition
You'll need to register this program once a year to use it free, and the interface is a bit tacky, but it quickly scans your computer for viruses without hogging too much memory. Looking ahead to the next Windows update, Avast already works with Windows Vista beta 2.
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