Articles > Software
Recommended Software
Last Updated: 2/15/10The following is a list of general software categories. I think that all home
users should have at least one piece of software from each category. Click
on each category for more details and list of choices.
Anti-Virus
Name: AVG (recommended by me)
Cost: Basic: FREE Pro: $33.30 for 2 Years of updates
Website: http://www.grisoft.com (Pro Version)
Website: http://free.grisoft.com (Free Version)
Details: Very good Anti-Virus. Can catch viruses that some big name virus companies don't catch (norton, mcafee, etc..). free program (basic edition not pro), free updates, auto update, schedule run and email scanning. Uses low system resources compared to other anti-virus programs.
Cost: Basic: FREE Pro: $33.30 for 2 Years of updates
Website: http://www.grisoft.com (Pro Version)
Website: http://free.grisoft.com (Free Version)
Details: Very good Anti-Virus. Can catch viruses that some big name virus companies don't catch (norton, mcafee, etc..). free program (basic edition not pro), free updates, auto update, schedule run and email scanning. Uses low system resources compared to other anti-virus programs.
Name: Norton Anti-Virus (Not Recommended)
Cost: $69.95 1 year of updates
Website: http://www.symantec.com
Details: Very good Anti-Virus. Free updates for 1 year then they cost money. auto update, schedule run and email scanning. Hard to uninstall / re-install. Not resource friendly. Can cause other problems with computer also.
Cost: $69.95 1 year of updates
Website: http://www.symantec.com
Details: Very good Anti-Virus. Free updates for 1 year then they cost money. auto update, schedule run and email scanning. Hard to uninstall / re-install. Not resource friendly. Can cause other problems with computer also.
Name: Mcafee
Cost: $49.99 1 year of updates
Website: http://www.mcafee.com
Details: Very good Anti-Virus. Free updates for 1 year then they cost $39.99 a year. auto update, schedule run and email scanning. Not resource friendly.
Cost: $49.99 1 year of updates
Website: http://www.mcafee.com
Details: Very good Anti-Virus. Free updates for 1 year then they cost $39.99 a year. auto update, schedule run and email scanning. Not resource friendly.
Name: PC-cillin Internet Security
Cost: $49.95
Website: http://www.trendmicro.com
Details: Very good Anti-Virus. Includes firewall and other features, fights spam and spyware, auto update, schedule run and email scanning.
Cost: $49.95
Website: http://www.trendmicro.com
Details: Very good Anti-Virus. Includes firewall and other features, fights spam and spyware, auto update, schedule run and email scanning.
Anti-Spam
Name: MailWasher (recommended by me)
Cost: FREE
Website: http://www.mailwasher.net
Details: Awesome program! does great job. Bounces unwanted emails so that the sender thinks that you email address does not exist.
Cost: FREE
Website: http://www.mailwasher.net
Details: Awesome program! does great job. Bounces unwanted emails so that the sender thinks that you email address does not exist.
Anti-Spyware
Name: Spybot (recommended by me)
Cost: FREE
Website: http://www.safer-networking.org
Details: Awesome program! does great job. free updates. immunize yourself from spyware. lock homepage. lock host file . Awesome startup program removal.
Name: HiJackThis (recommended by me)
Cost: FREE
Website: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/
Details: Great Spyware removal. Must know what you are doing to use this one. If you are not comfortable using this one. Tell the program to make a log, post it on the internet, and then delete the entries according to feedback.
Name: CWS.Shreddar (recommended by me)
Cost: FREE
Website: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/
Details: Very specific spyware remover. Make to removal all variants of CWS (Cool Web Search). Some of them are pretty nasty and almost impossible to get rid of without this tool.
Name: MWAV (recommended by me)
Cost: FREE (For detection)
Website: http://www.mwti.net/antivirus/free_utilities.asp
Details: This is a free Virus removal tool from MicroWorld Technologies. This removal tool is the best I've seen. Unlike most virus removal tools this one will find more than just a few top viruses and it will find other forms of malware.It will detect viruses,spyware,adaware,dangerous tools and other malwares. It has a database of 100,000 malwares.
Name: Toolbar Cop(recommended by me)
Cost: FREE
Website: http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm
Details: Very similar to HiJackThis in what it does, but looks alot different. Very good at getting rid of extras that were put into your browser from spyware.
Cost: FREE
Website: http://www.safer-networking.org
Details: Awesome program! does great job. free updates. immunize yourself from spyware. lock homepage. lock host file . Awesome startup program removal.
Name: HiJackThis (recommended by me)
Cost: FREE
Website: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/
Details: Great Spyware removal. Must know what you are doing to use this one. If you are not comfortable using this one. Tell the program to make a log, post it on the internet, and then delete the entries according to feedback.
Name: CWS.Shreddar (recommended by me)
Cost: FREE
Website: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/
Details: Very specific spyware remover. Make to removal all variants of CWS (Cool Web Search). Some of them are pretty nasty and almost impossible to get rid of without this tool.
Name: MWAV (recommended by me)
Cost: FREE (For detection)
Website: http://www.mwti.net/antivirus/free_utilities.asp
Details: This is a free Virus removal tool from MicroWorld Technologies. This removal tool is the best I've seen. Unlike most virus removal tools this one will find more than just a few top viruses and it will find other forms of malware.It will detect viruses,spyware,adaware,dangerous tools and other malwares. It has a database of 100,000 malwares.
Name: Toolbar Cop(recommended by me)
Cost: FREE
Website: http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm
Details: Very similar to HiJackThis in what it does, but looks alot different. Very good at getting rid of extras that were put into your browser from spyware.
Name: XoftSpy
Cost: FREE (For Detection)
Website: http://www.xoftspy.com/
Details: This software does a spyware scan very fast. It finds tons of stuff and removes it fast and well!
Cost: FREE (For Detection)
Website: http://www.xoftspy.com/
Details: This software does a spyware scan very fast. It finds tons of stuff and removes it fast and well!
Name: XP Anti-Spy
Cost: FREE
Website: http://www.xp-antispy.org/
Details: This Anti-Spyware program focuses on Microsoft. It takes out all the little things in Windows XP that allows Microsoft to spy on you.
Cost: FREE
Website: http://www.xp-antispy.org/
Details: This Anti-Spyware program focuses on Microsoft. It takes out all the little things in Windows XP that allows Microsoft to spy on you.
Name: Ad-aware
Cost: FREE (Basic version only)
Website: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
Details: Also a very good anti-spyware program, but can also cause some problems.
More Anti-Spyware Software Here: http://www.spychecker.com
Cost: FREE (Basic version only)
Website: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
Details: Also a very good anti-spyware program, but can also cause some problems.
More Anti-Spyware Software Here: http://www.spychecker.com
Firewall
Name: ZoneAlarm (recommended by me)
Cost: FREE (basic version only)
Website: http://www.zonelabs.com [Download]
Details: Very good Firewall. Stop hackers and unauthorized programs. Also protects ebay password and works great. Not compatible with ICS (Windows XP Internet Connection Sharing) Easy to use.
Cost: FREE (basic version only)
Website: http://www.zonelabs.com [Download]
Details: Very good Firewall. Stop hackers and unauthorized programs. Also protects ebay password and works great. Not compatible with ICS (Windows XP Internet Connection Sharing) Easy to use.
Name: Sygate
Cost: FREE (basic version only)
Website: http://www.sygate.com [Download]
Details: Very good Firewall. Stop hackers and unauthorized programs. Compatible with ICS (Windows XP Internet Connection Sharing)
Name: Norton Personal Firewall (NOT RECOMMENDED)
Cost: $49.95
Website: http://www.symantec.com
Details: Horrible firewall. Should not be on this page, but I don't have a non-recommended software page. DO NOT PURCHASE Norton Personal Firewall or Norton Internet Security (NIS). NIS comes with Norton Personal Firewall. Save your money and buy Zone Alarm. This firewall is known to stop you from getting on the internet and performing the most simple internet actions. This program has numerous flaws and cause many problems
Cost: FREE (basic version only)
Website: http://www.sygate.com [Download]
Details: Very good Firewall. Stop hackers and unauthorized programs. Compatible with ICS (Windows XP Internet Connection Sharing)
Name: Norton Personal Firewall (NOT RECOMMENDED)
Cost: $49.95
Website: http://www.symantec.com
Details: Horrible firewall. Should not be on this page, but I don't have a non-recommended software page. DO NOT PURCHASE Norton Personal Firewall or Norton Internet Security (NIS). NIS comes with Norton Personal Firewall. Save your money and buy Zone Alarm. This firewall is known to stop you from getting on the internet and performing the most simple internet actions. This program has numerous flaws and cause many problems
Registry Error Checker
Name: Norton Windoctor [Norton System Works]
(recommended by me)
Cost: $69.95
Website: http://www.symantec.com
Details: Great registry checker. finds lots of errors. Norton System works Contains lots of other good programs too, but don't use cleansweep. It just slows your system down.
(recommended by me)
Cost: $69.95
Website: http://www.symantec.com
Details: Great registry checker. finds lots of errors. Norton System works Contains lots of other good programs too, but don't use cleansweep. It just slows your system down.
Name: Regscrub XP (recommended by me)
Cost: FREE
Website: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2048 [Download]
Details: Good at checking registry for errors. Only for windows XP. Also has other windows xp tweaks built in.
Cost: FREE
Website: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2048 [Download]
Details: Good at checking registry for errors. Only for windows XP. Also has other windows xp tweaks built in.
Name: Registry Clean Pro
Cost: $29.95
Website: http://www.registry-clean.com/
Details: Registry Clean Pro never deletes a registry key if this could harm your system. The program thoroughly analyzes each suspicious registry entry to make sure that removing it won't affect any installed software or system settings.
Cost: $29.95
Website: http://www.registry-clean.com/
Details: Registry Clean Pro never deletes a registry key if this could harm your system. The program thoroughly analyzes each suspicious registry entry to make sure that removing it won't affect any installed software or system settings.
Disk Error Checker
Name: Norton Disk Doctor (recommended by me)
Cost: Part of System Works ($69.95)
Website: http://www.symantec.com
Details: Finds error the windows scandisk may not find.
Cost: Part of System Works ($69.95)
Website: http://www.symantec.com
Details: Finds error the windows scandisk may not find.
Name: Windows Scandisk (recommended by me)
Cost: Built-In (FREE)
Website: http://www.microsoft.com
Details: Good disk checker. Run frequently. Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Scandisk
Cost: Built-In (FREE)
Website: http://www.microsoft.com
Details: Good disk checker. Run frequently. Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Scandisk
Name: System Mechanic
Cost: $49.95
Website: http://www.iolo.com/sm/
Details: Entire utility set program. registry checker disk checker , etc..
Cost: $49.95
Website: http://www.iolo.com/sm/
Details: Entire utility set program. registry checker disk checker , etc..
Disk Cleaner
Name: Clean Disk Security (recommended by me)
Cost: $25 (Shareware)
Website: http://www.theabsolute.net/sware/clndisk.html
Details: Awesome disk cleaning utility.
Cost: $25 (Shareware)
Website: http://www.theabsolute.net/sware/clndisk.html
Details: Awesome disk cleaning utility.
Name: System Mechanic
Cost: $49.95
Website: http://www.iolo.com/sm/
Details: Entire utility set program. registry checker disk checker , etc..
Cost: $49.95
Website: http://www.iolo.com/sm/
Details: Entire utility set program. registry checker disk checker , etc..
Name: Clean Sweep
Cost: Part of System Works ($69.95)
Website: http://www.symantec.com
Details: Does a good job, but shouldn't be running all the time.
Cost: Part of System Works ($69.95)
Website: http://www.symantec.com
Details: Does a good job, but shouldn't be running all the time.
Name: Disk Detective
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.freebyte.com/disktective/
Details: Creates a report letting you know what is filling up your hard drive.
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.freebyte.com/disktective/
Details: Creates a report letting you know what is filling up your hard drive.
Disk Optimizer
Name: Windows Disk Defragmenter
(recommended by me for Windows XP)
Cost: Built-In (FREE)
Website: http://www.microsoft.com
Details: Does a good job for XP because it optimizes the prefetch which some other one's don't do for Windows XP.
(recommended by me for Windows XP)
Cost: Built-In (FREE)
Website: http://www.microsoft.com
Details: Does a good job for XP because it optimizes the prefetch which some other one's don't do for Windows XP.
Name: Norton Speed Disk
(recommended by me for Windows 98)
Cost: Part of System Works ($69.95)
Website: http://www.symantec.com
Details: Good for Windows 98.
(recommended by me for Windows 98)
Cost: Part of System Works ($69.95)
Website: http://www.symantec.com
Details: Good for Windows 98.
Name: System Mechanic
Cost: $49.95
Website: http://www.iolo.com/sm/
Details: Entire utility set program. registry checker disk checker , etc..
Cost: $49.95
Website: http://www.iolo.com/sm/
Details: Entire utility set program. registry checker disk checker , etc..
Web Browser
Name: Internet Explorer
Cost: Built-In (FREE)
Website: http://www.microsoft.com
Details: Built-In web browser for Microsoft Windows. Used by over 90% of the internet. NOT very secure. Major Spyware Target.
Cost: Built-In (FREE)
Website: http://www.microsoft.com
Details: Built-In web browser for Microsoft Windows. Used by over 90% of the internet. NOT very secure. Major Spyware Target.
Name: Netscape
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.netscape.com
Details: Probably the second most used browser. Full version has built in email program and instant messaging.
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.netscape.com
Details: Probably the second most used browser. Full version has built in email program and instant messaging.
Name: Firefox (Recommended)
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.firefox.com
Details: Very simple web browser. Mozilla based. Similar to netscape, but looks like Internet Explorer. Has built in pop up blocker and google search box. Much more secure than Internet Explorer. Easily imports data from Internet Explorer.
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.firefox.com
Details: Very simple web browser. Mozilla based. Similar to netscape, but looks like Internet Explorer. Has built in pop up blocker and google search box. Much more secure than Internet Explorer. Easily imports data from Internet Explorer.
Name: Slim Browser
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.flashpeak.com/sbrowser/
Details: Slim Browser is a tabbed multiple-site browser. It incorporates a large collection of powerful features like built-in popup killer, skinned window frame, form filler, site group, quick-search, auto login, hidden sites, built-in commands and scripting, online translation, script error suppression, blacklist / whitelist filtering, URL Alias. It brings you convenient and comfortable browsing. Semi-Functional with IE toolbars.
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.flashpeak.com/sbrowser/
Details: Slim Browser is a tabbed multiple-site browser. It incorporates a large collection of powerful features like built-in popup killer, skinned window frame, form filler, site group, quick-search, auto login, hidden sites, built-in commands and scripting, online translation, script error suppression, blacklist / whitelist filtering, URL Alias. It brings you convenient and comfortable browsing. Semi-Functional with IE toolbars.
Internet Filter
Name: American Family Association Filter
Cost: $50 - $80 / Yr
Website: http://www.afafilter.com/
Details: Supported and recommended by the AFA. $70 / Yr. will provide you with an entire internet filter and security suite powered by Sophos. A very good security company.
Cost: $50 - $80 / Yr
Website: http://www.afafilter.com/
Details: Supported and recommended by the AFA. $70 / Yr. will provide you with an entire internet filter and security suite powered by Sophos. A very good security company.
Name: Safe Eyes (Recommended)
Cost: $14.95 and Up
Website: http://www.safeeyes.com/
Details: A very good internet filter that is very comprehensive.
Cost: $14.95 and Up
Website: http://www.safeeyes.com/
Details: A very good internet filter that is very comprehensive.
Name: Net Nanny
Cost: $39.95 and Up
Website: http://www.netnanny.com/
Details: One of the most popular and well known internet filters.
Cost: $39.95 and Up
Website: http://www.netnanny.com/
Details: One of the most popular and well known internet filters.
Keywords: software every computer should have recommended