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.

• Ad-Aware
  Spyware detection and removal.
  Freeware.

• 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 and SpywareGuard
  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.
  
  SpywareGuard provides a real-time protection solution against spyware that is a great addition to SpywareBlaster's protection method.
  
  An anti-virus program scans files before you open them and prevents execution if a virus is detected - SpywareGuard does the same thing, but for spyware! And you can easily (and you should) have an anti-virus program running alongside SpywareGuard.

• 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.

• Spyware Doctor
  Spyware Doctor is a Spyware remover which provides real-time Anti-Spyware protection against Spyware, adware, Trojan horses, keyloggers, Spyware cookies, adbots, spybots, browser hijackers, phishing attacks and other Malware threats. Spyware Doctor is easy to use and low on PC resources.

• SpyCop
  SpyCop finds spy programs designed specifically to record your screen, e-mail, passwords and much more! SpyCop will detect the spy, tell you when it was installed, and disable it!
  This is not a free program which is what we generally like to link to on this page but it has had some great reviews.

• 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

• Spammunition
  Spammunition is an add-in for Outlook 2000 (and higher) that helps you fight spam. It helps you spend time reading e-mail not deleting unwanted spam messages. This one is very easy to set up and also very efficient in weeding out unwanted e-mails.

Firewalls.

• ZoneAlarm
  Top rated Firewall.
  FREE for Personal Use.

IM Clients.

• Trillian
  IM may not yet be fully accepted in the business world but it's gaining momentum.
  For internal IM needs, companies may chose Windows messenger but if you are to communicate with external users on multiple networks such as AOL, ICQ, MSN or Yahoo you need a multi-network client. One of the most widely recommended is Trillian which is spy-ware free and available in both a free and a for pay Pro version.

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.

Xandros Desktop.

• Xandros.com
  Xandros Desktop is an easy to use Linux distribution for desktop computer users. It provides an alternative operating system environment that is simple to install, configure and use, provides extensive Microsoft Windows OS and network compatibility.
  It is reported to have the best Windows compatibility of all Linux distributions.

Read more about Xandros Desktop.

• ExtremeTech
  "Xandros Desktop 1.0: Another Winning Debian Distro".
  

Linux Distributions.

• Lycoris
  Lycoris Desktop/LX will change the way you think about Linux. It's a tailored easy-to-use, affordable, and open Linux operating system.

• Linux Mandrake
  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.
  

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.