Why is freeware good?
A: What a questions.... Freeware is good, because it is free, and does the job. Some may say it does not a good job, but it does the job non the less, and does not cost a dime.
Legend:
1. Computer Protection Software
2. Internet And Networking
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Now, onto the Freeware (not under alphabetical order)! *Note* To learn what the category top is (ie. Antivirus), click on the title, should open to a wiki.
1. Computer Protection Software
======================================================================================================= =======================================================================================================
Avast - To keep this short, I use this antivirus. It has an amazing detection rate (caught everything I threw at it), fast, and has full on-duty protection of system and outlook/internet email. What makes it great, is it catches the infection before it actually infects the system! Downside to it, is the registration (free, but a hassle) but that should not cause too much problem, and the crappy interface. But the stock interface can be changed to a different skin, to make it much more enjoyable to the eye, and easier to navigate through. A must have antivirus, 5/5 score from me!
AVG - With a 3.5/5 review score on PCgamer, seems not all that bad! With a great ability to create rescue diskette, for emergency's, and on-duty protection with constant updates, also scans through outlook and internet emails. The down side of this, is that the interface feels wonky sometimes, and limited to the ability of adjusting the daily schedule scanning and updating. PCGamer also mentioned that it does not have as good as a detection rate compared to all Antivirus'. But that is probably just their opinion, cause no matter what I throw at it, AVG catches the problem quick! I give this a 4.5/5 for sure.
AntiVir - With a 4/5 stars on Cnet, and my own personal 5/5 rating, makes this a great antivirus. So far, everything I threw at this antivirus (wow, all the pron sites and obvious virus programs), it detected them all and deleted them before even entering my system. Fast, and easy to use on-duty protection AV, should be more then enough for any beginner, or pro.
BitDefender 10 Free - Great antivirus that previrous version (8) got a 95.52% detection rating. So this has a lot of potential as a great free-antivirus. Only major drawback is that it is on-demand protection. So this should only be used as a second scanner, since it has no on-duty protection. I give it a 3.5/5. I would give it a full 5/5, if it had on-duty protection.
PC Tools Antivirus - I have absolute no idea how good this antivirus is. Never got to test it. But it did get a 4/5 score on download.com, from the team, and got a 3/5 score from the people (reviewed by 183 so far). With on-duty protection and supposedly, constant updates but on a slow server. Also, it has a wonky help system, so beginners-be-warned!. Here is the download.com review of it. Wish I could give it a review, but I know so little of this program.
======================================================================================================= =======================================================================================================
Spybot Search & Destroy - A great antispyware, but since the free version, it does not have on-duty protection. But that is fine, since spyware takes a lot to get into the system, if you are not careful. With great detection rate, and fast scanning, how can you go wrong? My score is 5/5.
Spyware Doctor - "This free app includes limited real-time protection--competitors usually hamstring their guards until you upgrade to the paid edition. Here, the On-Guard protection is limited to the File Guard, which says it prevents unsafe e-mail attachments and other malicious files already hiding on your system from being accessed." - quote from download.com. Never got to try it, but with a 4/5 score from there, I cant judge what I have not tried. Worth a look at!
Hijack This - What makes this different from all others, is that it makes you do the work. What it does, is come up with a list of registry or file items that are modified or whatnot, and allows you to check them to see if they should be deleted or not. But be SURE you are sure that what you are deleting/modifying, is indeed malware or hijacked area. Great for not-so beginners, does the job very well for sure! My rating, I give it a 5/5! Note, it IS completely free!
WinPatrol - With tons of functionality, but not exactly free (trial is...........) with the ability to catch adware, keyloggers, spyware, worms, cookies, and other malicious software, makes this a great program. With an easy interface, and tons of functions, makes this a great program. Downfall, it is not completely free. So I can only give this a 4/5.
AVG Anti-spyware Free - With an easy to use interface, and a free on-guard protection for at least 30 days (If I am correct, if I am wrong, just correct me), and fast scanning and high detection rate. With these rich features, makes this one of the best free antispyware I can even comprehend (lawl). I give this a 5/5 for definite sureness!
Ad-Aware 2007 Free - This is another excellent antispyware program. Of course, the free version does not have on-duty protection, but with tons of rich features (able to scan ram, external devices, etc) allows you to make sure you are safe. Now the downside of it, with its updater is running in the background, some word flys around thinking that itself, is spyware. But so far, it does not infect anything, so what can I say? Great program to run as an additional antispyware for sure! I give this a 4.5/5 for sure!
Spyware Blaster - This is one amazing program! What it does, is does not scan to remove already infected spyware, but to protect your computer from obtaining spyware. Prevents installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, dialers, browser hijackers, and other potentially unwanted programs. It does have an easy to use interface, but its tabbed system may annoy some people. Also, this nifty little program will create a snapshot of your system, so if anything bad REALLY happens, you can revert back to that snapshot. I definitely give this a 5/5, a must have!
======================================================================================================= =======================================================================================================
Zone Alarm - If not, the most popular of them all free firewalls. I have to agree, it is a good firewall, with a great interface, and easy to use system of adjusting the protection level, makes this ideal for pretty much anyone. Downside to this program, I see, is the annoying constant pop ups of allow or dis-allow of a program to access the internet. While this is good for some, this is just annoying to me
. Oh, also, it is completely free!. I give this a 5/5, it seems Cnet gave it the same score!PC Tools Firewall - I don't know much about this one, other then it was suggested by alister. From the understanding that was brought to me, this free firewall will work both on Vista and 2003. This should be more then enough to any individual who wants something to protect them on vista ;). Can't really rate something I have not touched, but it seems like it is a worth download for sure.
Comodo - Another recommended by both PC Gamer and alister, making this obviously ideal (obviously
). I trust when both PCGamer and someone with quite the credability such as Alister vouches for this firewall, then it must be good. So I put it under recommended. Oh, and it is completely free. Unfortunatly, there is no current Vista support. Just to note, I have not herd of this firewall before, so with lack of testing, or knowledge for that matter behind this firewall, I cannot vouch for it, but I still add it to recommended if others (professionals if you may) nod their heads to this. So do not hesitate to download!
.
