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Top Rated
Probably the Best Free Security List in the World - Part I
Introduction
This article contains a comprehensive list of free security-related programs or web applications for Windows XP and later Windows PC-based operating systems. The few non-free programs on this list are included because they are of high merit (in our opinion) and lack a comparable free alternative. This list also includes links to webpages that contain security-related information.
We don't give specific recommendations on this list except for the personal suggestions of the list authors. If you are seeking recommendations then check out Gizmo's Freeware The Best Free Security Software for PC. Gizmo's Freeware also offers free personalized security advice via the Security Wizard.
We usually list a given item on this list only once, putting it where we think it best belongs. However, sometimes we list a given item more than once if we feel strongly enough that it belongs in multiple locations.
We check all links with Web of Trust. Only links that are rated by Web of Trust as green are shown as hyperlinks. Links that are rated by Web of Trust as yellow are shown as obfuscated links; in such cases copy and paste the obfuscated link to your browser's address bar, then replace [COLON] with : and [DOT] with . to change the obfuscated link into a valid URL. Links that are rated by Web of Trust as red aren't shown either as hyperlinks or obfuscated links. Links that directly link to files are shown as obfuscated links.
We usually don't test the programs or web applications on this list. We usually don't scan the programs on this list with antivirus software.
We usually don't check these keys for a given item: "
Adware that may or may not be optional," "
Includes software recommendations via OpenCandy," or "
Nagware." We usually check key "
Program that works without installation" for a given program by using only online information, not by testing the given program.
We encourage you to use the comments section below to let us know about dead links, incorrect links, links to malicious websites, links that include malicious software, incorrect or missing keys for a given item, items that could be added to the list, programs that work only on pre-Windows XP operating systems, or any other issues. You may also use the comments section to tell us about your experience with a particular program or web application. We value these suggestions and look carefully at each one.
Legal Disclaimer: Terms and Conditions for Using This Site.
Short URLs for this page: http://tinyurl.com/free-security, http://bit.ly/DQNn0, and http://goo.gl/nw5c.
This is a multi-page article. To quickly find what you want, either check out the Section Index below or view every part as one huge page by clicking Part I, Part II, Part III and Part IV.
Announcements
24-8-14
The list was split into four parts in July because the size of the list was causing server problems. As a result, older comments are currently unavailable.
24-8-14
We're working on reorganizing the list. The new list won't be publicly available until it's finished. You can give us your thoughts about how to proceed at either http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/security/14065-discussion... or http://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/discussion-thread-for-reorganizat....
Keys
Some of these keys are usually not checked by us; see Introduction for details.
$ Not free.
Program that works without installation. May or may not be portable. Other version(s) that use an installer may also be available.
Web application.
Provides only malware detection. May have paid version(s) that includes removal.
CNet download link or other downloader with adware.
FF = Firefox, Ch = Chrome, IE = Internet Explorer, OB = Other browsers, AB = All browsers.
Image itself links to a Gizmo's Freeware "Best Free" webpage. Not a key in some cases.
Image itself links to a Gizmo's Freeware webpage other than a "Best Free" webpage. Not a key in some cases.
Adware that may or may not be optional.
Includes software recommendations via OpenCandy (potentially unwanted).
Nagware.
What's New
The newest items in this list are shown in the table below.
|
Date
|
Items added
|
| 4-7-14 |
|
| 18-7-14 |
, , , , , , , , 14 Mozilla Articles to Help Make You a Better and Safer User of the Firefox Browser |
| 5-8-14 | CrowdInspect (information), CrowdInspect (download), Simple Run Blocker |
| 6-8-14 | E-Bouncer |
| 7-8-14 | Brainpass Password Generator |
| 8-8-14 | Quick Crypt |
| 9-8-14 | CyberDragon Browser |
| 10-8-14 | Easy2Boot |
| 11-8-14 | Privacy Badger |
| 12-8-14 | 5nine Cloud Security for Hyper-V Free Edition |
| 14-12-14 | Detekt, ProtonMail, RequestPolicy Continued, Trend Micro Anti-Threat Toolkit, GlassWire, ReHIPS, Bitdefender Adware Removal Tool, Adware Removal Tool, Secure Folders, Spark Security Browser, Ad Muncher, SuperExec, Raise My Rights |
Related items and articles
- Best Free Microsoft Downloads
- How to Find Help at Microsoft for Your Computer Problems
- How to Report Spam
- Get Adobe Flash Without GetPlus in Firefox
- How to update Firefox or Thunderbird addons to work with a new release
- Fake online product reviews
- Five Things that Every Windows PC Owner Must Do
Editors
This list is maintained by volunteer editors ako, J_L, and MrBrian.
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Computer Tips
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eBooks /Audiobooks
Comments
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 :).
Mitro password manager...
https://www.mitro.co/
Privacy Badger (beta)
https://www.eff.org/privacybadger
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.
Thanks for the feedback!
I looked into it, and posted my findings at http://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/showip-extension-for-firefox-gone... .