Free Security Toolbox
Keep your system and data safe by using our favorite no-cost tools for securing your PC against Internet evils.
Firewalls
Kerio Personal Firewall 4: The 30-day trial reverts to a free version (for home use only), but without advanced features enabled. 7.3MB
Outpost Firewall Free: Agnitum's no-frills app. 2.7MB
Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6: Bidirectional. 8.8MB
ZoneAlarm 5.5: The free version also scans e-mail for dangerous .vbs scripts. 6.3MB
Antivirus
Avast 4 Home Edition: Alwil's free app for home and noncommercial users. 8.2MB
AVG Antivirus Free Edition: Grisoft's program for noncommercial home users. 9.7MB
Anti-Spyware
Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition: Lavasoft's pioneering free (for noncommercial use) spyware hunter is still one of the best. 2.5MB
HijackThis 1.98: Merijn Bellekom's not-for-novices adware/spyware detector/remover. 183KB
Spybot Search & Destroy 1.3: Patrick M. Kolla (of Safer Networking) is waging a one-man war against spyware. 4.2MB
SpywareBlaster 3.2: Javacool Software's memory-resident spyware blocker. 2.1MB
Send your questions and tips to nettips@spanbauer.com. We pay $50 for published items. Scott Spanbauer is a contributing editor for PC World.
Cameras
Camcorders
Cell Phones
Components
Desktops
HDTV
Home Theater
GPS
Laptops
Monitors
MP3 Players
Networking &
Printers
Storage



