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When it comes to computer security--and job security--why take risks? This month, I have a thorough but easy-to-use virus scanner, a Firefox productivity booster, and an engaging simulation game. The two freebies and the free trial also pose little peril to your pocketbook.

A Second (or Up to 32nd) Opinion

We gave a 2007 World Class award to the free online virus detection service VirusTotal.com, which scans files via dozens of third-party security programs (32 at last count, including big names such as McAfee and Panda). Now, you can skip surfing to VirusTotal.com's Web site; instead, run the service's equally free VirusTotal Uploader program, which is even easier to use than VirusTotal.com. Right-click the questionable file, select Send To, and choose VirusTotal from the send-to options. If no browser window is open, VirusTotal will open your default browser to show you the scan results.

Hispasec Sistemas's VirusTotal Uploader gives no guarantees, but if your file receives a clean bill of health from the likes of Avast, AVG, Kaspersky, McAfee, and Panda, you may not feel a need for opinion number 33. Free.

Manage Your Surfing

It's difficult to resist YouTube, online games, personality quizzes, and the other Web time-wasters. When you're at work, though, resist you must. LeechBlock, a free Firefox extension by James Anderson, helps you protect your focus and productivity--on your own terms.

LeechBlock does so by using the blacklists and rules you define. In its tabbed window, you create up to six renameable "block sets" (one for video sites, say, one for games, and so on). You can assign each block set its own blocking rules. For example, you can specify days of the week and times of the day when sites should be blocked, and you can set the number of minutes you can spend at a frivolous site (during breaks) before LeechBlock kicks in. By default, it shows you its own page when it's blocking, but you can choose a different redirect.

This customizability makes LeechBlock a great tool for folks who need a little help keeping their Web use under control. You might occasionally feel stifled, but it's better than having your boss catch you filling in check boxes to reveal which Harry Potter character you're most like. Free.

A Bumper Crop of Fun

We all need an escape at times, and a virtual garden is nearly as good as a real one (better, in some seasons). The demo version of Alice Greenfingers--a simulation game from Arcade Lab--lets you transform a plain backyard into your own pastoral paradise.

Game play is simple, requiring just a few pop-up hints to get started. You dig in the dirt, sow seeds, and nurture your plants until they bear fruit (or flowers, or vegetables) to sell at the farmer's market. Alice really means business; the game tells you the current demand for crops, so you can tweak the prices of your wares and rake in the dough.

The Alice Greenfingers demo works for just 1 hour. For more fun on the farm, you'll have to pony up $20. As the paid version progresses, the pace of harvesting and selling gets quite frantic. If you buy the license, don't be surprised if you find yourself still playing when the rooster crows. One-hour free demo, $20 to play further.

Did you have an interesting experience with one of these programs? Is your favorite file missing from PC World's Downloads library? E-mail your comments to Laura Blackwell. Messages containing attached files will be deleted unread.