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Free Personal Firewall and Internet Security Software
These are some of the best personal firewalls and Internet security products and services that are available free for personal use. The following selections were chosen based on the results of independent third-party comparative and individual reviews.
Best Free Personal Firewalls
Important Firewall Installation Tips Before installing personal firewall software on a Windows computer, be sure that the firewall built into Windows is turned off. Never use two software firewalls at the same time. Completely uninstall one before installing another. Use the vendor's uninstall utility or if not available, use the Windows add/remove software tool in the control panel. After you install a firewall, be sure to check it with a service like the Security Space Desktop Audit to make sure that it is configured correctly. Testing your firewall is the only sure way to tell that your computer is really being protected. See our installation page for more information.
Patches, Updates & Service Packs
- Microsoft Update -- Go here using Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Patch Auditors -- Malware loves out of date software
- Securia Software Inspector (scans for missing security updates, provides links to updates)
- Qualys Browser Check
- KC Softwares SUMo (scans for missing software updates, download the lite version)
- Software Updater -- Try CNet TechTracker Free
Anti-Malware
- Bots -- Try Trend MicroTM RUBotted (Beta)
- Google Pack -- Includes PC Tools Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus for spyware, adware, trojans & keyloggers; go here to download.
- Intrusion Prevention and Detection -- Try PC Tools ThreatFire Free [formerly Novatix CyberHawk]. See our Zero-Day Protection page for more information.
- Phishing -- Use features built into IE, Firefox and other browsers. See our anti-Phishing page for more information.
- Scareware Removal -- Try Norton Power Eraser
- Spyware -- Try avast! antivirus Home Edition including anti-spyware & anti-rootkit, Microsoft Security Essentials (anti-virus/spyware), and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Free. See our Anti-Spyware page for more information. After cleaning, use SpywareBlaster to block new spyware from loading onto your computer.
- Trojan -- Try the online TrojanScan or download a2 free. See our anti-Trojan page for more information.
- Virus -- Try Panda Cloud Antivirus, Alwil Avast! Home Edition, AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, Avira AntiVir Personal Edition or Microsoft Security Essentials (anti-virus/spyware). See our Anti-Virus page for more information.
Internet
- Ad Blocker -- For MS Internet Explorer, try IE8Pro. For Firefox, try Adblock Plus.
- Anonymous Surfing Service -- Try JAP or Tor
- Bad Websites -- Try McAfee SiteAdvisor, HauteSecure or WOT (Web of Trust).
- Browsers -- Try Chrome, Firefox or Opera as an alternative to Internet Explorer.
- Browser Protection -- Try Sandboxie
- Content Filters -- Try OpenDNS or K9 Web Protection
- Firefox Extension -- Try NoScript to manage website javascript, Java, Flash, anti-XSS...
- Password Managers -- Try Access Manager, KeePass, LastPass and SignUpShield
- PDF Readers -- Adobe Reader is an attack magnet. Consider free alternatives like Cool PDF Reader.
- Search Privately -- Try Scroogle or ixquick's Start Page
- Wireless Hot Spot Protection -- Try AnchorFree Hot Spot Shield or AirDefense Personal Lite. See our Mobile Security and Wireless Router pages for more information on wireless security.
Communication
- Email Client -- Try Thunderbird with anti-spam and anti-phishing as an alternative to Outlook Express.
- Email Encryption -- Try the Hush Mail email service.
- Instant Messaging Security -- Try IMSecure at
- Spam Stoppers -- Try Cloudmark, MailWasher or SPAMfighter Standard. For more information, see our anti-spam page.
- Zip + Encryption -- Try SecureZIP Sandard Edition for Windows Desktop 12.1
Hard Disk Backup
- Back Up Files Online -- Try Mozy Online Backup, get 2GB Free; see our Backup & Storage page for more backup options.
- Virtual PC -- Try MojoPac to carry files and applications on a USB storage device or iPod.
- Hard Disk Partitions -- Try EASEUS Partition Master Home Edition
Laptop Theft/Loss Recovery & More
- Adeona is a free Open Source system for tracking the location of a lost or stolen laptop while preserving your privacy. It works with Linux, Mac OS and Windows XP/Vista. ***Not taking new clients presently.
- LAlarm is free for personal use. Includes alarms for theft, perimeter, inattention, battery, disk, health, panic plus data destruction, data recovery, mobile phone alert, and theft response.
Cleaners
- PC Cleaner -- The PC Decrapifier and Revo Uninstaller remove unwanted software from PCs.
- Privacy Cleaner -- Try IE Privacy Keeper, CCleaner or CleanUp!
- Registry Cleaner -- Try EasyCleaner or Eusing Registry Cleaner
- Secure Erase Utility -- Try Eraser
- Security Software Removal -- Before installing new security software, use AppRemover to uninstall any conflicting security software from your computer. For Symantec products, use the Norton Removal Tool.
Website & Software Terms & Conditions
- Anti-EULA -- Try EULAlyzer [say what?], it checks an "end user license agreement" (EULA) before you install software to check for amazing provisions like it's ok to spy on you or to swamp you with ads.
- See Jumping Through EULA Hoops, Dan Costa, PC Magazine, January 1, 2008, for more information about this important issue.
