On this page you find links to programs that has proven out of the ordinary useful.

Anonymity and web security.

The key is to think of security not in absolutes, but in terms of sensible trade-offs.

• PC Tools ThreatFire
  Your current antivirus program may offer plenty of protection, but new, unknown threats still could slip through. ThreatFire , afree utility, adds an extra layer of protection to the security software you already have.
  ThreatFire blocks threats through behavior-based analysis and will add extra security when regular signature based security programs can not help because there are no signatures out yet.

• Sandboxie
  Sandboxie lets you browse the Web securely while keeping all your browser's functionality for active content. Sandboxie requires neither the disabling nor blocking of functions available to Web sites through the browser. Instead, Sandboxie isolates and quarantines the outcome of whatever the Web site may do to your computer, including the installation of unsolicited software. Even though originally created for IExplorer it works just as great with Firefox or Opera or in fact any other program.

• SpywareBlaster
  SpywareBlaster just doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from ever being installed.
  
  By setting a "kill bit" for spyware ActiveX controls, SpywareBlaster can prevent the installation of any spyware ActiveX controls from a web page. It does this while not interfering with "friendly" ActiveX controls - so your browser can work correctly and you can have peace of mind.

• SpyBot
  SpyBot-S&D searches your hard drive for so-called spy- or adbots; that is, little modules that are responsible for the ads many programs display. Many of these modules also transmit information, including your surfing behavior on the Internet. If SpyBot-S&D finds such modules, it can remove them. In most cases the host still runs fine after removing the spyware/adware.
  Another feature of Spybot S&D is the removal of usage tracks, which makes it more complicated for unknown spybots to transmit useful data. The list of last visited web sites, opened files, started programs, cookies, all that and more can be cleaned. Supported are the three major browsers Internet Explorer, Netscape Communicator and Opera.

• Privoxy
  Privoxy is a web proxy with advanced filtering capabilities for protecting privacy, modifying web page content, managing cookies, controlling access, and removing ads, banners, pop-ups and other obnoxious Internet junk. Privoxy has a very flexible configuration and can be customized to suit individual needs and tastes. Privoxy has application for both stand-alone systems and multi-user networks.

• The Proxomitron
  A Universal Web Filter.

  • Proxomitron users can add this filter to eliminate the Server-Side Spyware: Red Sheriff from their surfing. Unlike most conventional spyware, imrworldwide.com's Red Sheriff is loaded as a Java applet embedded in a Web page you visit. Once loaded, it sends information about your surfing habits to the parent company and reportedly remains loaded for as long as the browser is open.

  • Proxomitron filters which block HTTP_REFERER, Java Applets and VBScript.

  • Proxomitron Forums
    Learn more about Proxomitron, find filters etc.
    • The Official Proxomitron Forum
      This forum is probably not any more official than the other forums. Presumably it's just a name.
    • The Un-Official Proxomitron Forum

Firewalls.

• ZoneAlarm
  Top rated Firewall.
  FREE for Personal Use.

Security.

• Microsoft TechNet Security - Security Bulletin Search
  Stay current on Windows security issues and solutions.

Utilities.

• Info-ZIP
  Info-ZIP's purpose is to provide free, portable, high-quality versions of the Zip and UnZip compressor-archiver utilities that are compatible with the DOS-based PKZIP by PKWARE, Inc.

• PE Builder
  Bart's Preinstalled Environment (BartPE) bootable live windows CD/DVD.

Linux Distributions.

• Mandriva Linux
  An almost Windows experience.
  A very user friendly Linux distribution. Based on Red Hat it accept Red Hat RPM software packages.
  Just as easy to install and run as a Windows system.
  If you want your organization to get started with Linux, this is a good choice.

• MEPIS
  Yet another user friendly Linux distribution. It can easily replace Windows on many home and corporate desktops.

• Ubuntu
  Ubuntu is a very stable, Linux-based operating system for the average user. Ubuntu is a complete operating system, freely available with both community and professional support.

Networking.

• LinNeighborhood
  Linux port of the Windows Network Neighborhood.
  Note: With modern Linux distros this is no linger needed. This link is preserved just in case you need it for an older (very old) Linux system.

Office Suites.

• OpenOffice
  OpenOffice is a free open source office suite. It is available for a number of platforms such as Linux and Windows but also for Mac OS X and Solaris.