Free Windows Desktop Software Security List

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Last updated by ako on 03. March 2019 - 10:55

Security List Index

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Discontinued or not updated recently (for at least three years). If there are both free and paid versions, this key applies only to the free version.

Item links to a Gizmo's Freeware 'Best Free' page.

Item or this icon links to a Gizmo's Freeware page.

Web application. Use of this key doesn't mean that there isn't a Windows application also available.

Browsers: FF = Firefox; Ch = Chrome; IE = Internet Explorer; OB = Other browsers; AB = All browsers.

About

This list (earlier "Probably the Best Free Security List in the World") contains thousands of links to free security-related Windows desktop applications and web applications, with the goal of listing everything available that's not malicious or of low usefulness. This list doesn't include Windows desktop applications that work on only pre-Windows XP operating systems. This list also contains links to pages that contain security-related information. This list does not give recommendations ( except for the My Choices page ), but it contains links to other Gizmo's Freeware pages that give recommendations.

Use the Windows desktop applications or web applications on this list at your discretion. We usually don't test the Windows desktop applications or web applications on this list, and we usually don't scan the Windows desktop applications on this list with antivirus software. Some of the links in the Related Links section on this page give tips on deciding whether a given Windows desktop application or website is safe to use.

We periodically check all links on this list with Web of Trust. Only links that are rated by Web of Trust as green or unrated are shown as hyperlinks. Links that are rated by Web of Trust as yellow are shown as obfuscated links. Links that are rated by Web of Trust as red aren't allowed on this list. Links that directly link to files are shown as obfuscated links. To change an obfuscated link into a valid link, copy and paste the obfuscated link to your browser's address bar, then replace [COLON] with : and [DOT] with a period.

Use the comments section below, or this (or this) forum thread, to let us know about issues, or suggestions for items that could be added to the list.

Short URLs for this page: http://tinyurl.com/free-security, http://bit.ly/DQNn0, and http://goo.gl/nw5c.

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Editor

This list is maintained by volunteer editor ako (Antti Koponen)

(c) 2009-2019 Antti Koponen

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Comments

Does any of this software run on Windows 10?

Emsisoft Emergency Kit, HitmanPro.Alert, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, Prey (Anti-Theft), SoftPerfect RAM Disk, WinPatrol, Zemana Anti-Malware, PeStudio, SUMo, LastPass, TrafficLight, VTchromizer, WOT, µBlock

The above is actually my security setup, minus what's already in Windows 10 (system imaging, file history, SmartScreen, Windows Defender, Protected Mode, UAC, etc.)

Yes, some of the software should run on Windows 10. You'll have to explore each individual link for information about Windows 10 compatibility.

A new revised list is coming soon! Tell us what you think.

I think it is a great list, though I would prefer to see some description for each tool.

Sorry, but I have to object to (seemingly) generally giving download links from Cnet.com or Download.com. Maybe I misunderstand the text.

These are in my experience some of the worst sites adding unnecessary download programs and wrappers that in turn then get (ab)used to sneakily get PuPs installed.

Recommending Cnet/Download.com IMHO equals aiding the proliferation of one of the nastiest kind of malware that currently is way too common. I have found that almost always there are other options.

Nasties, that you can typically uncheck during installation, and if you accidentally install them, you can easily uninstall them. Or is there something more serious I am not aware of? (I yesterday reinstalled my Windows and used Download.com many times without nasty suprises.)

Well, IMHO you only really know after you run ADWcleaner and Malwarebytes and both come up clean.

I encounter quite often the opinion that all PuPs can be removed in Programs and Features. Not true in my experience.

Babylon, Conduit and Searchscopes for example (there are many more) come up in these scans ONLY and can completely ruin the internet experience.

Just to convince you: I scanned the PC today with Hitman Pro, MBAM and AdwCleaner. No problems found. I am now scanning with Antivir. If it sees anything, I will report it. But I don't expect to see anything exiting.
No problems here. But generally you are right. Most people probably just click, and there may be next time when I use these services more efficient efforts to put something on my system. But the work for changing all links is huge. Perhaps we should add some warning first.... Thank you for your comments.

Thanks.

Stupid captcha feature.

The link "Five (easy-to-follow) tips for strong passwords and secure accounts" is no longer valid.

I fixed the link. Thank you for reporting :).
I added Privacy Badger to 14.29. Mitro was already in 14.11. Thank you for the information :).

12.3 Reviews of ShowIP extension says it has spyware.

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