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Introduction
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Motto: Si vis pacem, para bellum. This outstanding list has been compiled by one of our senior security editors, Antti Koponen. The products are listed with the best free products first (non-free products are always at the bottom of each category), as judged by Antti. Antti's current choices for real-time protection on his XP desktop and Vista laptop have been marked with ►. Other noteworthy products used by Antti have been marked with ♦, and Antti's favourite malware detection/removal tools with ⇒. The products are almost exclusively free with some exceptions: (a) Products where there is no free alternative (b) Good products that offer a lifetime license (c) Exceptional products If you think this list has too many options to choose from, try Gizmo's Security Advice Wizard. Please inform Antti for dead/false links, and give suggestions for new applications with the form located at the end of this list! Probably the Best Free Security List in the World (c) 2009-2010 Antti Koponen
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Realtime protection (on-access)
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Anti-virus: Anti-malware: Security suite (anti-virus, anti-malware and firewall): |
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Tools for most common viruses: Removal tools for specific viruses: Malware removal: Additional AV-spesific tools |
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File scanning with several scanners: Online-scanners (FF=also Firefox): |
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Limited versions of commercial firewalls: free Firewalls: Simple firewalls (inbound only): Replacement for router firmware: About NAT routers and hardware firewalls: |
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Behaviour blocker: Classical strong HIPS: Classical lightweight HIPS: Anti-keylogger: Registry protection: Anti-executable: White-listing anti-executable: Drive firewall: File/Folder Monitoring Software: Anti Dialer: |
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System & Program Files Protection: Drive-by-download blocker: Memory firewall: Address space randomization: System lockdown: USB-shield: USB-firewall: |
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Hardening tools: USB-autorun cleaning USB-autorun disabling Script-file protection: Protection against scripts embedded on web pages: Protection against flash embedded on web pages: SRP (Software Restriction Policy): Adding user rights: Limiting user rights: Improved Group Policy Editor: Determining user rights: Running program with dropped rights: |
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Sandboxing (for browsers/IM/etc): Light sandboxing in browsers: System virtualization: Rollback software: Desktop virtualization: Virtual players: Virtualization software: Virtualized browser: Portable OS: Linux live CD: |
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Windows-system security analyzing: Windows-system security analyzing (OS+installed programs): Installed programs: Searching for drivers: CD With All Current Drivers for Windows XP: Package for most important media addons: |
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Anti-phishing/malware browser plugins: Real-time link scanning: Manual link scanning: Anti-phishing Firefox plugins: Ad blocking: Pop-up blockers: |
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Blocking connections to malware domains: Blacklists for Explorer: Internet proxy+blacklist: Host File management: Host files (blocking malware and advertisements): Caching/filtering and blocking pseudo-DNS server: Internal proxies: External proxies: Better DNS: IP-blocking: Parental control: Spam filters |
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Checking your own ip: Collection of tools: Free VPN connection: Free online proxy: SSH and SFTP client: Anonymous browsers: Anonymous browsing tools: Detection of web bugs: Spoofing mac address: Control referrers: Secure HTTPS server: Cookie-control: Key scrambling: Virtual keyboard: Versatile tool for safeguarding banking session: Password management: Service for one-time passwords: Protection against search data profiling: E-mail encryption: VPN sofware: Browsing without a trace: Removal of metadata: |
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System monitoring and diagnostic: Process/startup/etc scanners: Process/startup/etc scanners with analyzing help: Realtime process monitoring: Injected DLLs: Searching files and processes: File Type Inspector: Executable Inspection: Checksum calculation: |
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Port checking: Botnet diagnosis: Network traffic monitoring: Network traffic analyzing: Control internet traffic priority: |
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File rescuing from Usb-drive/hard disk: File rescuing from memory cards: Rescuing files from corrupted hard disk: Unstoppable copying: Versatile tool for coping files: Rescuing files from broken CD/DVD: Write error resistant DVD:s: |
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Versatile tool for encrypting: Hiding files: Encrypting files: Encrypting with virtual drives: Encrypting for usb-drive: |
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Data Backup: Portable backup: Network backup: Online-disk: Host and share files: Registry backup: Programs for mbr backupping and restoring: Creating images from hard disks on-line: Backupping hard disk with Live-Cd: Hard disk cloning: Raw copy of hard disks: Hard disk wiping: Backup drivers: |
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Boot-CD: Boot-CD registry editor: Rescuing and troubleshooting: Boot, resque, partitioning etc. Disk recovery(data, partition, boot sector): Make bootable linux USB: Make bootable Windows USB: Recover a hanging system: Solve problem drivers: Repairing of broken internet connection: Fixing settings: |
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Eicar test virus: Test spyware (for experts): System shutdown test (for experts): HIPS/Firewall-tests (for experts): Buffer overfolw test: Tests for PC: Firewall/port tester: Router crash test: DNS security test: Other security tests: Anti-rootkit tests: Anonymity tests: Browser tests: Test sites: Real-time analysis for sandboxed malware: Online sandbox for malware analysis: |
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The best protector: LUA Better UAC Vista Firewall control Repairing of broken internet connection: Miscellaneous: |
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Windows 7 firewall control CD With All Current Drivers for Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7: Better XP mode: The update servers of the free version of Avira Antivir are undersized. For this reason the first update may take a long time - an hour or even more. As the install package comes with very old virus definitions, one is not well advised to continue surfing without the update process being finished. One can speed-up the first update by downloading the latest Avira updates here, then double-clicking the Avira system tray icon and choosing Update > Manual update, and searching the downloaded file with the file manager thus opened. You should keep watch on the Avira updates. Double-click the Avira system tray icon. Then click the Configuration button. A new window is opened. Choose Expert mode. Click General > Security. Now check Show notice if the virus definition file is out of date and choose Alert if last update is older than 2 days. One may occasionally meet update problems also in the future, but Avira should usually update itself on its own approximately once a day. As Avira has market-leading heuristics, small lags in updates are not as fatal for Avira as for most of its rivals. However, if Avira regularly fails to update, consider changing to another free AV. Update (29.11.09): Avira has improved their update system. At the moment the update problem seems to have been eliminated. In the free version only malware detection. Removal included in the paid version. Due to site politics direct links to executable files are forbidden. Replace [dot] with . and the link will work. I use the commercial F-secure on one of my PC:s as I get it without charge from my employer. Moreover, it is from Finland! My current choices for real-time protection + OpenDNS on router
These include many nice tools. I use e.g. Actronis True Image (there are many free alternatives above) for system backup. In my opinion regular system partition imaging and data backup are the most important parts of PC security. Malware detection/removal tools My favorite cleanup tools include
Probably the Best Free Security List in the World (c) 2009-2010 Antti Koponen |
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Any comments on the hazard shield? I didn't get much info on the website other than its got a new version. Is it still in beta?
Haven't tried that.
There is a new VirusTotal Uploader version available here: http://blog.hispasec.com/virustotal/47
Thanks!
Just Interested in the Prevention Antivirus is it antivirus and antispyware? I noticed it uses Sophos and Lavasoft engines is that just for the paid version. Is that a good combo?
Haven't tested, but it should be reasonable AV+AM+AS.
I have tried Microsoft Security Essentials (MSSE) several times on my computer, a Dell XPS 400 dual core (2.8 gigahertz) 3 gigs of ram, and while I am happy with the detections,etc.,and I DID make sure that no other prevention/detection program was running,(or even installed)over several days it consistantly slowed down my computer to the point of almost locking up.I have tried evry configuration that I could to make it work, but after about three days, I have to remove it...it just doesn't like XP Pro SP3. Even sfter a fresh install, I can try to open,say,My Documents,and it takes forever to open...I have noted this time and again and as soon as MSSE is removed,the problem goes away also. I do not have this sort of problem with any other AV program.
For the My Documents taking a long time to load, I have a relative who had the same problem and it stumped several of us who are somewhat computer literate. We managed to find that she had a very large file that was taking forever to load. It was a Garmin map update file that was over 1 gig. Once that was deleted My Documents loaded just fine. Check to see if you have any very large files in that folder or any sub-folders in My Documents and either back them up and delete them or just delete them if you no longer need them. Hope this works. I run MSSE on Windows 7 and have had not problems with it.
I had the same experience with a friend's PC.
Comodo Time Machine has now been officially released (no longer RC), and is available for public download here: http://www.comodo.com/home/data-storage-encryption/data-recovery.php
Thanks!
Hi regarding the online file scanners/sandboxes, which ones has the largest maximum file size? I know some of them won't have that info in their submit page, but that's exactly why I'm asking you guys for your experiences.
I don-t know, but I think Virustotal allows 20 MB with its uploader.
Ako
without scrolling through all the pages,i noticed a lack of posts concerning conflicts between security apps;examples:
1)AVG 9 won't work with Prevx CSI.
2)Threatfire & Spywareblaster have an issue between them that prevents blaster from updating (they know about it,so there may be a patch out by now)
if i missed any posts concerning this,sorry...just a heads-up on these particular ones,as i've experienced them.
Such conflicts are annoying and sometimes fatal. I could add eg. Online Armor and F-secure.
ako
Excellent work with this list.. Looking forward to trying out a few of these new finds.
A quick update for the list though, Comodo Time Machine is out of Beta, and they have a RC version out now: https://forums.comodo.com/beta_corner_ctm/comodo_time_machine_2212106414...
This tool will be a very valuable addition to freeware!
Here is one more data rescue utility.
DrDD- DataRescue's DD freeware: http://www.datarescue.com/photorescue/v3/drdd.htm
"DataRescue's DD (in short DrDD) - is a graphical disk imager intended for data recovery and backup of partially corrupted storage devices. DrDD creates complete or partial images of disks or memory cards to files on another storage device, allowing multiple data recovery attempts on the raw data, thereby minimizing the risk of damaging the corrupted media further. DrDD is available for Windows PC and Mac OS X machines."
lloonn
Thanks! Good hint.
Thanks for this great forum.
FYI. I used Avira and gave it my full trust. Well, I got burned. On a whim I ran MalwareBytes Anti-Malware and when it revealed a rootkit I about had a stroke. Despite Avira my PC was infected and God only knows for how long.
Merry Christmas.
Robert
In some cases one can get false positives for rootkits by some legimate drivers - I have had one with Daemon tools, eg, "detected" by Threatfire.
One has to also remember, that no Antivirus will keep one even 90% secure - especially if surfing habits are careless. One needs sandboxing or LUA to get close to 99.9% (see my configuration above)
My habits have been careless. I have to remember to use the sandbox more often.
What is LUA?
Robert
Limited user account - non-adminstrator user account. For Vista it is very convenient, for XP not.
Oh... I use those all the time. My PC got infected (I think) because I got careless while browsing in my admin account, something I rarely do.
Robert
Did you actually confirm this as malware by uploading the file to Virus Total?
I'm not saying that it was a false positive, just that it might have been.
Also, without knowing your exact details, there is no rootkit protection possible with Avira yet for x64 systems.
I was assured by MBAM forums admins that this was not a false positive, but i did not try submitting the file to virus total. Maybe I should have.
My system is 32 bit XP.
Avira was disappointing me anyway. Slow updates, failed updates, No updates. Freezing on a large file, then aborting the scan completely.
I gave up, reformatted, started over, used Macrium Reflect to make a pristine image I can fall back on.
Robert
you are taking secrity advice by techies who got hacked by iobit? if they can
not keep there secrets safe how can they keep yours
Update problem seem to be solved.
I always like to get a multiple second opinion myself from Virus Total. Still doesn't guarantee 100% accuracy but at least points you in the right direction. I'm not disputing the MB guys assessment in any way, just pleased that now you have a clean machine to work with.
This will explain LUA for you:
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/advanced/useraccount.mspx
thank u, more sites u can use
http://www.activeproxies.org
http://www.unblockedproxysites.com
http://www.schoolproxysites.net
http://www.proxysiteslist.net
http://www.freeproxywebsites.net
http://www.goodproxysites.com
http://www.proxyserverlist.org
http://www.proxyserverwebsites.com
http://www.proxyforfacebook.com
http://www.proxyforyoutube.com
http://www.myspaceproxylist.com
http://www.webproxysites.org
Thank you. Quite a many, any single link to these?
Edit: I added proxy.org, it is full of these links! :)
Thanks to Prorootect Anti-rootkit part improved.
I'd like to know about that Net Studio USB Firewall. I've check the website link given up there. But, there's no button whatsoever to download the software. Is there anything that I've missed about how to obtain the free version copy?
Thank you.
PS: I am currently using USB Virus Scan (was Autorun Virus Remover).
The link was there :)
http://net-studio[dot]org/images/stories/software/USB_FW.rar
USB Virus Scan is not free?
No. USB Virus Scan is not free. It's free for limited usage. It may not have removal utility if not registered.
About that Net Studio USB Firewall, I downloaded it after searching the CNet.
OK. I will not add USB Virus Scan to the list then.
Have you tried it yourself? I like your post here. I hope you'll try USB Virus Scan too. If it's really work, I'll try it too. It's free, for limited feature usage.
Are we confusing USB Virus Scan with Autorun Virus Remover here? I can see that the link point towards CNet too. I think they are both identical with different built. The last version of Autorun Virus Remover I've checked was 2.3 built 618, and the last of USB Virus Scan is 2.3 built 1022.
Thank you for all of your good work here.
Sorry. I noticed your post only now. Thank you for your comment. I removed Autorun Virus Remover from the list, and added USB Drive Antivirus.
Thank you for that USB Drive Antivirus information. A bit funny though, how a security software like that changes it's name too often :P
I've just downloaded it a few minutes ago. Keep up the good work. Love your works here ;)
I want to download Sardu multivirus tool.Forticlient showed that ıt was infected,and I could not download.
It is false positive:
http://www.virustotal.com/analisis/e945fb70ba8c8bf2f0aa9b6533d728fa88139...
I admire the time and effort to put together such an extensive and comprehensive list.
I would like to suggest that the best and simplest security is to use a live Linux disk. Never a security problem. Never.
I love -- depending on my day and mood -- to use any of the following distros:
LinuxMint
www.linuxmint.com
Puppy
www.puppylinux.com
Simply Mepis
www.mepis.org
Slax
www.slax.org
Ubuntu
www.ubuntu.com
I agree! Woof, woof.
Thanks! Good hint.
Thanks for the a² information. Whether it's fully installed or portable one. I like the info. I think you have gave us very useful information to check and consider. Love you and your works.
I'll rate this post of yours to encourage you to provide people with more helpful and considerable information :)
Btw, I do think you can remove that "Probably" word on the title :D
Thanks! I'm happy if the information given here is found useful! :)
Hi by (no removal) do you mean that there is no uninstall option once installed?
Thanks.
The use of this term usually means that a software can detect something but will not remove it or otherwise deal with afterwards which means you would need another program to complete this process.
Yes. Many commercial free programs encourage this way to by the full version.
I vote that the name be changed to
The Best Free Security List in the World
As there is no probably about it.
Great work
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