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Probably the Best Free Security List in the World

Updated 21. May 2013 - 19:42 by ako
Introduction

Our motto: "Si vis pacem, para bellum."  (If you wish for peace, prepare for war.)

This huge list of free computer security products and services has been compiled over several years and is continuously updated.

The purpose of the list is to provide a comprehensive documentation of the security products available rather than specific recommendations.  If you are seeking recommendations then check out our comparative reviews of security products (links to them are shown in the list with ) or view the personal suggestions of the list authors at the end of the list. We also offer free personalized security advice via our Security Wizard.

The products on this list are almost exclusively free with a few exceptions. These include useful products without a free alternative that offer lifetime licenses or commercial products of outstanding merit.

If you are looking for a particular type of product use the index table below to go to the appropriate page. If you simply want to browse the list then click the link at the top of the index to view the list as a single huge page.

Note that in some cases the links in the list point to executables. In such cases replace [dot] with . and the link will work.

We encourage you to use the comments section below to let us know about dead or incorrect links, suggest products that could be added or simply to tell us about your experience with particular products. We really value these suggestions and look carefully at each one. Sometimes this takes a little time but rest assured your comments will be noted.

Disclaimer:  We have tried to make sure that all links are legitimate. So in case of  a "detection" by your antivirus the most likely explanation is it being a false positive. However, as cybercriminals compromise multitude of web sites daily, we would like to be informed for any potentially malicious links. Some of these programs may also harm your PC if they are misused. You use any of the applications at your own risk.

Alias: http://tinyurl.com/free-security   http://bit.ly/DQNn0   http://goo.gl/nw5c

Probably the Best Free Security List in the World - Page Index
(or click here to view as one huge page)
 
Keys

$ Not free (only if freeware options are lacking).

 Only provides malware detection.  May have paid version(s) that includes removal.

 Supports Windows 64-bit.

 Portable / mobile version exists or Live media (CD/USB/etc.)

 Online service or Cloud app.

Links to the Gizmo's "best free" lists.

 Links to other Gizmo pages.

 Nagware.

 Bundled with adware.

 Includes OpenCandy or other controversial adware.

 CNet download links or other downloaders with adware.

FF = Firefox,  Ch = Chrome,  IE = Internet Explorer, AB = All browsers, OB = Other browsers

XP = for Windows XP,  V = for Windows Vista, 
7 = for Windows 7,  8 = for Windows 8
 
What's New
The last updates on this list are shown in the table below.
Date
Items added or updated
5-4-13 15 anti-rootkits
8-4-13 Checklist To Prepare Yourself In Advance of a DDoS Attack
9-4-13 Chocolatey,Pandora Recovery
14-4-13 Shellbag Analyzer & Cleaner,Synei System Utilities,Check5,SecurePassword Kit,SoftEther VPN
16-4-13 PC Hunter
18-4-13 How to easily enter safe mode in windows 8?
21-4-13 Gogeek
23-4-13 Junkware Removal Tool, GEGeek Tech Toolkit
25-4-13 Reboot Restore Rx
1-5-13 Baidu PC Faster,USBOblivion,Fastest Duplicate File Finder,unhide,Error Messages for Windows
7-5-13 Registry Alert, Ratool,WBICreator (Windows Bootable Image Creator),AskVG Apps (Tweaking with Vishal),
Malware Scene Investigator,Synei Disk Cleaner
12-5-13 Ma-Config,VPN Gate,tinc,encrypt
15-5-13 Duplicate & Same Files Searcher,File Extension Fixer (ExeFixer)
16-5-13 Beep Codes Viewer
19-5-13 AttackVector Linux, ADHD, HookME
21-5-13 Norton Zone,Copy
Related items and articles
Related Unstarred Security Articles

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Comments

by vodomar on 20. January 2013 - 18:56  (104678)

SmartWatch

http://www.sonymobile.com/us/products/accessories/smartwatch/
by vodomar on 19. January 2013 - 23:27  (104658)

AV-TEST/win7/nov-dec 2012:

http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/windows-7/novdec-2012/
by vodomar on 15. January 2013 - 11:32  (104490)

The "Red October" Campaign - An Advanced Cyber Espionage Network Targeting Diplomatic and Government Agencies

http://www.securelist.com/en/blog/785/The_Red_October_Campaign_An_Advanc...
by vodomar on 4. January 2013 - 8:14  (104214)

Microsoft Security Advisory (2798897)
Fraudulent Digital Certificates Could Allow Spoofing

"Microsoft is aware of active attacks using one fraudulent digital certificate issued by TURKTRUST Inc., which is a CA present in the Trusted Root Certification Authorities Store."

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/advisory/2798897
by vodomar on 1. January 2013 - 16:18  (104146)

IE 6/7/8:
Microsoft Security Advisory (2794220)
Vulnerability in Internet Explorer Could Allow Remote Code Execution
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/advisory/2794220

Microsoft Security Advisory: Vulnerability in Internet Explorer could allow information disclosure

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2794220
by vodomar on 16. December 2012 - 22:12  (103656)

Mythbusters: Dangerous Security Advice You Shouldn’t Follow
(makeuseof.com)

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/security-advice-and-myths-you-shouldnt-foll...
by vodomar on 10. December 2012 - 21:56  (103494)

WIRED: More jaw-dropping prognostication from my favorite industry analyst
(By Bruce Sterling)

http://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/2012/12/more-jaw-dropping-prognos...

http://communities-dominate.blogs.com/brands/2012/12/android-won-windows...
by vodomar on 9. December 2012 - 22:19  (103472)

HitmanPro.Kickstart

http://www.surfright.nl/en/kickstart

"Q-04: How much does HitmanPro.Kickstart cost?
A-04: HitmanPro.Kickstart is a free solution. You only might need a license for HitmanPro. If you use HitmanPro.Kickstart on a ransomed PC that has a valid license for HitmanPro, it will use that license. If you use HitmanPro.Kickstart on a ransomed PC that has never used HitmanPro, the 30- day free trial period of HitmanPro can be used to remove the ransomware (not available on business computers)."
by ako on 10. December 2012 - 11:25  (103484)

This is cool! Have to test it soon :)
by vodomar on 28. November 2012 - 23:31  (103034)

Windows Blue is Microsoft's future low-cost OS with yearly updates

http://www.theverge.com/2012/11/28/3693368/windows-blue-update-low-cost
by vodomar on 27. November 2012 - 11:47  (102965)

Antivirus software so ineffective it's a waste of money, report suggests

http://www.computerworlduk.com/news/security/3413167/antivirus-software-...?
by Joe A.TT on 28. November 2012 - 0:13  (102996)

"...especially when freeware solutions outperform paid subscriptions."

This is the first time I read such a statement apart from on TSA. Perhaps there are more such statements elsewhere, but it's good to know that TSA's isn't the only one.
by MidnightCowboy on 28. November 2012 - 1:43  (102997)

There is quite a bit of this around the net. Here's two more examples.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/microsoft-vs-mcafee-how-free-antivirus-ou...
http://blog.avast.com/2012/07/20/avast-free-antivirus-outperforms-compet...

As with all these things though they are relative to the circumstances at the time, and as ako also points out, which components in the programs being tested are actually being used.

It makes sense that the timescale for introducing new samples (very important) is generally less for free AV's because many of these such as Avast!, Avira, Comodo etc. have very active forums providing almost instant feedback.
by Joe A.TT on 28. November 2012 - 4:36  (103001)

Thanks for the educational "homework" MC.
by MidnightCowboy on 27. November 2012 - 12:40  (102968)

At least the "zero" detection rate is easy to understand:D and three weeks to add a new sample is a joke considering how much vendors charge for this junk. MC - Site Manager.
by ako (the) (not verified) on 27. November 2012 - 15:10  (102979)

But Virustotal is not enough for analysing total strength, as it omits dynamic detection (Webroot Prevx, F-secure Deepguard).
by vodomar on 24. November 2012 - 22:05  (102852)

VB100 Results Summary
http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archive/summary

Whole Product Dynamic "Real World" Test - Graph Bar
http://chart.av-comparatives.org/chart2.php
by vodomar on 23. November 2012 - 19:22  (102809)

AV-TEST:
Windows 7(x32) Sep/Oct 2012:

http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/windows-7/sepoct-2012/
by indie on 20. November 2012 - 17:55  (102626)

Your link to Emsisoft AV scanner from Gizmo's Free AV Scanners leads to paid version:
https://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/antimalware/
Please revise it to the following:
https://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/ax/?scan=1
by Anupam on 20. November 2012 - 18:07  (102628)

The link is correct, since the editor is referring to the anti-malware and not the online web scanner. The anti-malware has a free version, and a commercial version both.

The second link which you are referring to, which is for online web scanner, has been covered in the online scanners category.
by AnonymousD26 (not verified) on 16. November 2012 - 7:38  (102395)

I just wanted to let forticlient fans know there is a update I found it... http://download.cnet.com/FortiClient/3000-2239_4-75755299.html version 5... So you guys can update the link now its still being developed woohooo....
by AnonymousD26 (not verified) on 16. November 2012 - 9:00  (102398)

I just wanted to make a comment that it did not install properly as during the install I got a blue screen on windows 7 sp1. Also after I restarted from the blue screen it was not able to start by clicking on the system tray bar. Also lastly it isn't registering in Action Center I'm not sure what is wrong but this is a review similar to the one I read on download.com from the link I put above. So I'm not sure if I should have posted the link if I knew it would do this to my system. Its not a conflict as I haven't installed any other Av or security products before this. I did a factory restore and installed it and got a blue screen of death. I expected much better from Forticlient.
by AnonymousD26 (not verified) on 16. November 2012 - 18:12  (102424)

I just wanted to add to my dismay it was only a system restore that removed Forticlient it did not install properly but realtime protection was on after the blue screen crash... I guess its not compatible with Windows 7 SP1 as I did see it was windows 7 compatible. Had nothing but issues installing and removing and it need lots of work. Not sure why it was released with bugs...
by vodomar on 13. November 2012 - 20:51  (102267)

Download Internet Explorer 10 Release Preview (7)

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/downloads/ie-10/wor...
by mark.n (not verified) on 13. November 2012 - 11:31  (102242)

hi just installed Avast 7 free with malwareytes free and zone alarm free firewall,unchecked toobar first,all running great
by vodomar on 12. November 2012 - 21:58  (102215)

Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit BETA

http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/mbar/
by mark.n (not verified) on 13. November 2012 - 11:34  (102243)

is this a good programme havent tried it
by ako on 12. November 2012 - 23:12  (102217)

I added it, very interesting :)
by Trainkarr (not verified) on 10. November 2012 - 14:45  (102119)

Bad link: The windows sysinternals link takes you to a random page in a sysinternals forum, not a download site.
by ako on 10. November 2012 - 18:55  (102129)

Thanks! Removed.