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June 3, 2008

The web's 10 best free security downloads

Keep your PC safe with these 10 free tools

Preston Gralla

PAGE 2

We've rounded-up our 10 favourite security downloads for Windows that will help to keep your personal information private and secure.

SendShield (beta)

Microsoft Office documents often include data that can compromise your privacy or that you don't want others to see, such as hidden text or cells, document revision history, names of document authors and reviewers, and so on. When you send someone a document, they can easily see that information by viewing the version history and the document's properties, and in other ways.

It can be time-consuming and impractical to remember to review every document you send out via email to make sure it doesn't contain privacy-compromising information. Instead, get Unedged Software's SendShield.

Whenever you send PowerPoint, Excel or Word documents via Outlook, it examines them to see if they have any of private information. It then details what it finds and lets you remove the information with a single click. It deletes the information only from the copy of the file you send via email, not the original on your hard disk.

You can also have the documents turned into PDFs and sent that way instead of as Office documents.

SendShield is in beta, and for now is free. However, when it gets out of beta, there is a chance that it will become for-pay software. (The company provided no details on timing or pricing.)

Avast Antivirus

Many pay-for antivirus programs, such as Symantec's Norton AntiVirus, are system hogs, taking up far too much RAM and system resources, which slows down your PC unnecessarily. Not only that, but you have to pay an annual fee for using them.

There's a better way: get the Avast Antivirus software from ALWIL Software. It's lightweight and takes up barely any RAM or system resources, it's simple to use, and it'll do everything you need by providing live, resident protection as well as scanning.

The software uses a shield metaphor for its multiple types of protection. There's an antivirus shield, one that protects against web-based threats, another for email protection and so on. You can customise the sensitivity of each shield.

Avast includes automated updates of virus definitions. The independent testing site AV-comparatives.org rates its effectiveness as Advanced+, the top level. We've been using the program for well over a year and a half, and it's caught every threat that's come our way.

Note that Avast is free for home use, but requires payment for business use.

NEXT PAGE: Hijack This and Spyware Blaster

  1. Keep your PC safe and secure for free
  2. Why we love SendShield and Avast Antivirus
  3. Hijack This and Spyware Blaster
  4. The benefits of F-Secure BlackLight Rootkit Eliminator and NoScript
  5. Why we love Comodo Firewall Pro
  6. Why McAfee SiteAdvisor and CCleaner are a must

Visit Security Advisor for the latest internet threat news, FREE net threat email newsletters, and internet security product reviews

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Comments received


Arthur Rudd said on Monday, 02 June 2008

Please start sending this information in ONE page. Clicking page by page is frustrating and not accepted.

Arthur Rudd said on Monday, 02 June 2008

I have used SpywareBlaster for Years.
All of a sudden, it will not protect against all 'restricted' items. This defect in my PC has gone on for weeks and weeks.

M.J.Sapsford said on Monday, 02 June 2008

thought you might like to take at auslogics-
boost speed
it has a 15 day trial and unlike most of the others it does fix all the problems it finds among other things
i have been using it and have 4 days left i think i will buy it but would like to know your thoughts first before i decide
i look forward to your reply

m_sapsford@sky.com

silvie said on Monday, 02 June 2008

So much choice ...... unless you are stuck with Vista :(

John Lee said on Monday, 02 June 2008

Strange you pick Avast, which is only rated Standard, above AVG which beats it every time.

Nelly said on Monday, 09 June 2008

As one other eader mentioned the independent testing site you quote AV-comparatives.org rates Avast as Average, NOT Advanced+ please correct!

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