Free programs are not always recommended especially for business computers or computers where you constantly accessing accounts. However having multiple free programs can be enough for many casual users. I recommend having all the downloads in this blog.
Initial Things to Do
1) Change Microsoft update settings to stop automatic downloads and installation. Why? In my experience some updates don’t download and/or install right resulting in my computer not starting.
Go to Control Panel > Windows Update> Change Settings to change settings
2) Change Internet Explorer privacy settings and security settings
Using Internet Explorer go to Tools > Internet Options> Privacy
3) Before doing any security scan run Disk Cleanup.
Free Downloads
1) Mozilla Firefox http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/
Is best browser in my opinion. Change privacy and security settings by clicking Firefox > Options > Options
Install add-ons Adblock Plus add on link It does a very good job blocking ads.
2) Avast Anti-virus http://www.avast.com/en-us/index
Good free Anti-virus software in my opinion. It beat Microsoft Security Essentials in testing. It is continuously and has real time protection.
3) Ad-ware Antivirus http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
Good free Anti-virus software in my opinion. It is continuously and has real time protection.
4) Malwarebytes Anti-Malware http://www.malwarebytes.org/
A good scanning program that finds and cleans most malware. It also has good cheap upgrade if you want to purchase.
5) Spybot Search and Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/
A good scanning program for spyware.
6) SUPER Antispyware Free Edition http://www.superantispyware.com/
Another good scanning program for spyware
7) AdwCleaner http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/
Does a quick scan of computer and cleans up adware. Always restarts computer regardless of threat level.
PJ Personal 