Security and tuning software
Tech · asked by user [] · 2007-08-12 · 23 answers
(originally posted at namahatta.org but lost in reorganization)
Sometimes I help devotees with their computer problems. Although Im not an expert, if you use computers for many years, youre destined to learn something. The main problem is a lack of security awareness. Again and again I see computers without any security software installed (or with some inefficient one). Here are some recommended quality programs I use:
AV-Antivirus http://www.free-av.com/
One of the best freeware antiviruses, on par with top commercial products like NOD32 or Kaspersky. Much better than Avast, AVG, etc.
Zone Alarm Firewall http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp
Freeware. Against intruders (hackers). More freeware firewalls etc.: http://www.firewallguide.com/freeware.htm
Spywareblaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Freeware. Prevention against all kinds of spyware. Claimed to be one of the best.
SpyEraser http://www.liutilities.com/
Shareware. Fixes what is beyond the power of Spywareblaster.
CCleaner http://ccleaner.com/
Freeware, system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files.
XP-Antispy http://xp-antispy.org/?lang=en&option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
Freeware. Tweak your Windows XP to work as you wish, disable useless and bothersome features.
TuneUp Utilities http://www.tune-up.com/
Shareware. One of the best comprehensive diagnostic, optimization, tuning and cleaning tools.
Sometimes I help devotees with their computer problems. Although Im not an expert, if you use computers for many years, youre destined to learn something. The main problem is a lack of security awareness. Again and again I see computers without any security software installed (or with some inefficient one). Here are some recommended quality programs I use:
AV-Antivirus http://www.free-av.com/
One of the best freeware antiviruses, on par with top commercial products like NOD32 or Kaspersky. Much better than Avast, AVG, etc.
Zone Alarm Firewall http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp
Freeware. Against intruders (hackers). More freeware firewalls etc.: http://www.firewallguide.com/freeware.htm
Spywareblaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Freeware. Prevention against all kinds of spyware. Claimed to be one of the best.
SpyEraser http://www.liutilities.com/
Shareware. Fixes what is beyond the power of Spywareblaster.
CCleaner http://ccleaner.com/
Freeware, system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files.
XP-Antispy http://xp-antispy.org/?lang=en&option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
Freeware. Tweak your Windows XP to work as you wish, disable useless and bothersome features.
TuneUp Utilities http://www.tune-up.com/
Shareware. One of the best comprehensive diagnostic, optimization, tuning and cleaning tools.
user [2] · 2007-08-12
another cross-link related post on parental controls:http://www.pariprashnena.com/discussion/29/
user [2] · 2007-08-12
if you are a little inclined to computing, I will recommend latest releases of linux, lot more user friendly than ever.You will endure a learning curve, but will spare a lot of time and problems and not need any of the software mentioned by VEDA.
user [38] · 2007-08-12
Itd be great if BBT would provide a new suite of software for Linux, Archives - Linux Vedabase, Ramakantaji - LinuxCOM. Then Id need just a good Linux English/Czech dictionary, wireless soft, links checking soft, sms sender, and could give M$ a farewell.user [12] · 2007-08-12
Some of the stuff may work with Wine. I like using Linux and I am computer savvy enough but I wonder about the more general users, if Linux (now Ubuntu is defacto desktop standard) is easy enough for them. They are trying to lower the learning curve.user [19] · 2007-08-12
anything is better than windows so get ubuntu or a mac and you wont have to install all that garbage.and you can run folio with crossover
http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxmac/
user [8] · 2007-08-13
Free clone of windows http://www.reactos.orguser [75] · 2007-08-14
why would i want a clone of something that doesnt work well and that i dont like? im still using windows because theres no free driver for my soft-modem in the linux world. (for me windows is free; i got a copy of windows from a friend of a friend who, of course, doesnt use it anymore ...).ys phani.
user [78] · 2007-08-14
Macs the best. But I still use windows. I sometimes get crazy of it. Maybe its for my own good, cause I spend too much time on my pc.user [78] · 2007-08-14
Got a question. I use McAfee virus-scan is it reliable?user [19] · 2007-08-14
>Macs the bestyes. Macs are in the mode of goodness.
http://www.apple.com/getamac/works.html
user [78] · 2007-08-14
Cool site. Its like hypnotising: Get a Mac! lol :Duser [38] · 2007-08-14
No av is 100% reliable in real life. ;) I recommended Avira. Its free but still among the top ones as per Virus Bulletin tests.user [75] · 2007-08-14
i remember that you recommended AV at nh-org. i installed it but couldnt get through the initial update. either my connecton is too slow, or their site isnt easily reachable from india. im sticking with AVG and dont have any problems. but its important to have a firewall, too, especially if youre on a leased line or online for hours. i get plenty of people trying to get into my pc, and only virus scanner wouldnt stop all that.
ys phani.
user [78] · 2007-08-14
Its Windows, grrrruser [19] · 2007-08-14
> if youre on a leased line or online for hours. i get plenty of people trying to get into my pc, and only virus scanner wouldnt stop all that.Just get Linux or a MAC and avoid all this problems!!!!
user [75] · 2007-08-14
you sure theres NO viruses or worms for linux or mac? i cant believe it. plenty of web servers, mostly linux, are being hacked. theres no need to run a web server on your desktop linux installation, and unlike windows, linux doesnt open all types of ports by default, but i still wouldnt feel safe running a linux desktop w/o at least a firewall (included in all linux distros) and some antivirus-thingy, just to make sure.ys phani.
user [78] · 2007-08-14
I dont know if there are none for a Mac or Linux but they are pretty quick. And they are strong against virusesuser [19] · 2007-08-15
Well, Microsoft is known for developing unsafe/unsecure/unstable software. Linux and OSX (unix under the hood) were developed with security in mind.For example, if you want to install software on a mac you have to provide your user password. In windows if a webpage wants to install software they just do it without your permission thats why spyware became so widespread.
To prevent it now you have to install all kinds of 3rd party firewalls, antiviruses etc because the operating system is unsecure like anything by default. Unlike osx or linux.
On Windows they tried to fix things with service packs and the like but they are just patches to something badly done from the beginning.
The day I first saw screenshots of Windows Vista I made the vow to never install windows again. They just dont learn at Microsoft and of course they have no style.
As one sanniasi said: Macs are VEG, Pcs are NON VEG.
user [2] · 2007-08-15
there is a (mostly not needed) free antivirus for linux installed with a few clicks.user [2] · 2007-08-30
Mac OS X and XP running under Ubuntu Linux:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0mNWQTw0nc
user [166] · 2007-11-16
VirtualBox...very stable and fast virtual multi OS environment - install multi operating systems that run like a dream...For Windows, Mac or Linux:http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
user [2] · 2007-11-16
I heard that complex software runs slow in Virtualbox unless you have a powerful machine. Mac has enough software to work with and to run some Windows complex program under linux better to use "wine" or Crossover.user [166] · 2007-11-16
Ive run some big programs in VirtualBox using an AMD Turion dualcore and 2G RAM and it flies with no problems...flawlessly installs and runs any WIndows software...I find wine doesnt install or run properly many common Windows programs...so for a less powerful machine at least you can install and run iTunes for instance (wont work with wine in Linux Ubuntu).