Software Links
Here we have listed links to freeware and shareware programs that we have tested and recommend for safety, security or just because they are cool.
Free software is often written by enthusiasts and distributed on the web or by users' groups, local bulletin boards, Usenet, or other electronic media.
Software classified as freeware normally refers to fully functional software for an unlimited time with no cost, monetary or otherwise. Freeware can be proprietary software available at zero price. The author usually restricts one or more rights to copy, distribute, and make derivative works of the software. The software license may impose restrictions on the type of use including personal use, individual use, non-profit use, non-commercial use, academic use, commercial use or any combination of these. For instance, the license may be "free for personal, non-commercial use".
Software classified as shareware normally refers to proprietary software that is provided to users without payment on a trial basis and is often limited by any combination of functionality, availability or convenience. Shareware is often offered as a download from an Internet website or as a compact disc included with a periodical such as a newspaper or magazine. The reasoning behind shareware is to allow buyers the opportunity to use the program and judge its usefulness before purchasing a license for the full version of the software.
As we discover more great software, we will add it with a link to our list. If you have a program you would like us to consider adding to the list, please email us at recommend@userfriendlypc.net. Be sure to add a brief description of the product, why you think it should be considered as well as a link to the authors page.
Just click on the software image to go to the product page.
Adblock Plus
Annoyed by advertisements? Troubled by tracking? Bothered by banners? Install Adblock Plus now to regain control of the internet and change the way that you view the web. You can also choose from over forty filter subscriptions to automatically configure the add-on for purposes ranging from removing online advertising to blocking all known malware domains.
Avast! Antivirus
avast! Free Antivirus often outperforms many competitors´ paid products and is the minimum protection you should have — it provides great protection against viruses and spyware.
Here is what they said, "Just like in the beginning, we still believe that all internet users need and deserve antivirus protection – one that is dependable, fast, reasonably sized, and unobtrusive… one that scans and updates automatically, and gives only an occasional reminder that it works. As a result, our avast! Free Antivirus is a full-featured product that routinely outperforms many of our competitors' paid products."
Comodo Firewall
Comodo Firewall is your first step in keeping hackers, viruses, and malware out of your PC. Your first line of defense in protecting yourself online with a multi-layered security application that will constantly monitor and defend your PC from Internet attacks. The experts agree, when it comes to internet safety, Comodo's Firewall software is the choice the pros turn to.
FeedDemon
FeedDemon is the most popular RSS reader for Windows, with an easy-to-use interface that makes it a snap to stay informed with the latest news and information. Use FeedDemon at home, your office, or anywhere you go and keep your feeds, tags and shared items synched between locations. FeedDemon's simple single-click sharing lets your friends subscribe to your favorite articles. Assign your own keywords to items, making it easy to classify and locate articles you've previously read. Tell FeedDemon to let you know when your keywords appear in any feed you're subscribed to. Get alerted when your keywords appear in any feed, regardless of whether you're subscribed to it. Let FeedDemon automatically download audio files and copy them to your iPod or other media device.
Firefox
Firefox 3.6 was built by Mozilla's global community of passionate contributors, including thousands of experienced developers, security experts, localization and support communities, and hundreds of thousands of active testers. More than 350 million users worldwide enjoy Firefox's fast, secure browsing experience and unparalleled customization. Firefox 3.6 includes extensive under the hood work to improve performance for everyday Web tasks such as email, uploading photos, social networking, and more. It also delivers new features like customizable browser themes called Personas, a ground-breaking Plugin updater, improved JavaScript performance, and enhancements to familiar favorites like the Awesome Bar for a better, more personal Web experience.
Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is considered to be the next step in the detection and removal of malware. They have compiled a number of new technologies that are designed to quickly detect, destroy, and prevent malware. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware can detect and remove malware that even the most well known anti-virus and anti-malware applications fail to detect. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware monitors every process and stops malicious processes before they even start. The realtime protection module uses our advanced heuristic scanning technology which monitors your system to keep it safe and secure. In addition, they have implemented a threats center which will allow you to keep up to date with the latest malware threats.
Mailwasher Pro
While typically, we would not list Mailwasher Pro here due to it's short trial period of 30 days, we were so impressed with it's features and functionality that we decided to list it as an invaluable program. MailWasher has deservedly earned its reputation as one of the worlds top anti-apam products. With over 8 million users around the world and features on both BBC and CNN you can be confident that it is one of the easiest ways to get rid of spam. It's a must for anyone using multiple POP or IMAP email accounts. With Mailwasher Pro 2010 you can use it with Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, and even AOL. For those with only one email account, a limited free version of Mailwasher can be found
here.
Returnil System Safe
The free version of Returnil System Safe is free and necessary antivirus protection for every home PC user. For small businesses, public access PCs and education institutions they offer many more useful features to enhance users' computer security experience. For example, Returnil System Safe Pro offers unique system rollback feature, which allows users to remove viruses by going back in time to the latest clean version of an infected file. Or while working in the virtual environment, you have the option of saving documents and files, so that your data will not be lost when the system is restarted.
Web Of Trust
The WOT add-on shows you which websites you can trust for safe surfing, shopping and searching on the web. Their safe surfing browser tool is easy-to-use, fast and completely free. WOT's traffic-light style rating system can be understood by the smallest of web surfers. Green means safe, yellow means caution and red means stop. It's easy, and it's free.
