Products and web sites concerning PC security...

Created 1/9/05.
Updated:
5/15/05
6/18/05
8/11/05
8/13/05
5/27/06
a very minor update 10/7/06

Need help keeping little nasties out of your PC? I recommend all of the below listed products and web sites.

Axcrypt version 1.6.2.3
This program uses 128 bit encryption to assist you with security matters. Say you have a text file that you want locked away from prying eyes, etc., then Axcrypt may be for you. ( By the by, notepad does not create temp files, so text, (txt) files are better as regards security.)
Anyway, it appears to be free to use. I recommend it, but be careful, if you want ( "paranoid strength" encryption :) ) , more than downloading and installing the program is required.
Hint: learning about file encryption security :)
http://axcrypt.axantum.com/


WinPatrol: Free and shareware version. The free version is good, the shareware version is better.
http://www.winpatrol.com/

Avast 4 Home antivirus: I've switched to Avast. The main Advantage over AntiVir is that Avast is password protectable, otherwise both are excellent. Avast is free for home use, however you must register your copy with them, otherwise either you will not be able to update after (59?) days, or it will cease to function.
http://www.avast.com/eng/down_home.html

AntiVir: Free Antivirus scanner for home use. Why it is free for home use, I have no idea. But what I do know is I appreciate the good job it does for me.
http://www.free-av.com/

SpyBot: donationware:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Sygate personal firewall: Free for home use, ( at least it was). If your operating system is Windows XP, I recommend you use the already installed firewall.
http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm

ZoneAlarm firewall/free version: Free for home use. I used to use it, but I drifted away from it. Mr. Steve Gibson, (of the Gibson research Center mentioned below) a highly recognized authority on PC security recommends ZoneAlarm.
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

AdAware: Free and shareware versions for home use, I use the free version.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Oubliette:
Need a secure place to keep password data? Oubliette is the the best solution I've found.
In a nutshell, it's a cypher encrypted database to store other passwords/pass phrases, usernames, etc..
You will need one VERY GOOD cypher to secure the program. A good cypher code is something like:a67BTfwwZ902367gNy
NOT like:YourName,YourBirthday, YourSpousesBirthday, or any common facts or numbers about you. DON'T forget this ONE cypher code. If you do, you will likely NEVER reenter the database. The author states he cannot help you in such a case.

A little study about things of this nature is very helpful. Think about things like clipboard items saved to disk, are you the only user of the PC?, etc. .
After that a little common sense and adjusting of the options to your liking should get you closer to reasonable PC security, (but your PC will NEVER be totally secure. If someone tells you otherwise, I advise caution.)

The program is free to use, at least at home.

Do a little research on your own about this. I believe it is indeed a good to excellent program, but if I'm going to be wrong about any program listed in this "PC security" section, it's this program, because I am least knowledgeable about it.
http://www.tranglos.com/free/index.html

need to learn more about PC security:
http://castlecops.com/

and,
Gibson Research Center:
http://www.grc.com/

Sobering spyware/trojan horse stories:
http://www.download.com/1200-2023-5137337.html

A blog about spywear and more by the author of Winpatrol:
http://billpstudios.blogspot.com/