Microsoft's Security Essentials (free)

• FINALLY, Microsoft has released a free anti virus, anti spy/malware program.  It's like take a BMW to get fixed at the BMW dealership; one would assume they would be the best.  Until this latest version, Microsoft couldn't even defend itself.  But this latest version is great!!!

• If you run Norton Anri Virus, McAfee or other anti virus programs, remove them first.  You should NEVER have more than one anti virus program running.  It will really mess things up and slow your computer down.

• Even if you are currently running and paying for Norton or McAfee take them off.  They r - e - a - l - l - y   s - l - o - w your computer down plus cost about $50 a year for your subscription.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

• I had been using AVG for years but since November of 2009, I now recommend Microsoft (see above).

• Do NOT use Norton or McAfee.  They're trying to do too much these days; (Anti Virus, Anti Spam, Spyware Removal, Internet Security and Parental Controls).  They're being labeled as "bloat-ware" programs

• Your computer will take a huge performance hit.  Chances are, your version is expired anyways.  Instead of having an all-in-one program, choose what kind of protection you need and only use those programs.

• AVG is free for home use.  Updates and scans daily, scans inbound/outbound email.

Norton / Symantec Virus Encyclopedia

• If a virus if found on your computer, it's important to see what kind of damage the virus may have done.  If the virus was tracking your https (secure web sites) keystrokes, looking for account numbers and passwords, your identity may have been stolen!!!!

Norton Virus Removal Tools

• Some viruses require more then just deleting the infected files.  For some of the more damaging viruses, you should run a virus removal tool BEFORE having your antivirus program fix the virus.  This will remove the infected files and also reverse the changes it made to your computer.  Sometimes, the manual removal steps require expert computer knowledge and can be very time consuming.

Malwarebytes

• So far, this is the easiest, fastest and best scanner I've used

• This program must be run manually but with an active anti-virus program, that should catch most of the malicious junk.

Ad-Aware Spyware Scanner

• Be sure your computer is free from annoying pop-up programs, home page hijackers, etc.  No spyware scanner will get more then about 70% of spyware objects and unfortunately they won't get ride of the worst offenders.

SpyBot Search and Destroy (spyware scanner)

• In addition to scanning for spyware, this will also block thousands of bad web sites (pron/virus/hacking/etc) to your Internet Explorer blocked site settings

Tips on removing spyware

• Disable System Restore

• Uninstall offending programs from the Control Panel

• Boot into SafeMode

• Manually scan c:\Program Files directory for offending programs

• Unhide all hidden files/folders

• Sort the system32 directory by date (most recent at the top) and look for recent entries that look suspicious.

• Look at the properties of the file and see what company is on the Version tab. If there is no version tab, it's probably an infected file; same if you don't recognize the company info on the version tab.

• Move those files to a temp folder or delete to the recycle bin

• Some files are securitized so they can't be deleted. In this case, boot to an XP CD, choose Recovery Console. Once at the DOS prompt, locate and delete the file(s)

• Remove startup items using MSCONFIG

• Use REGEDIT (make a backup before you make any changes).

  • Examine the startup items in HKEY CURRENT USER / SOFTWARE/ MICROSOFT / WINDOWS / RUN and RUN ONCE. 

  • Do the same under HKEY CURRENT USER / SOFTWARE/ MICROSOFT / WINDOWS / RUN and RUN ONCE.

  • The step above must be done for each user that has an account on the computer

• Many other processes are required to rid your computer of spyware and viruses. If the above steps make absolutely no sense to you, don't take a chance as you could make your computer unusable...you'd better call PC!

Eblaster (Windows)

• Tracks Internet history, chat rooms, Facebook/MySpace activity and emails a daily report.

OpenDNS (Windows, Mac or router based)

• EVERY HOME NETWORK MUST HAVE THIS!!!!!

• Free service and works GREAT

• 50+ content filters you can choose to block plus customize "always allow" or "always block" web sites.

• Setup on your router and nothing has to be done on the computer level.  It will protect any iPhone (using WiFi), desktop, laptop, etc.

 Content Barrier (Mac)

Vanquish / VQME

• Upon installation, Vanquish will scan your address book and sent items in your email and develop a list of approved senders

• You can add domains and additional approved emails at anytime

• Only emails that match your approved list will be forwarded to you

• Unapproved emails will stay online for your review.  From there, you can release them to your inbox

• Vanquish will filter about 99% of spam.  It's not based on rules, logic, keywords etc. Spammers are always one-step ahead.  This is the best technique available for home and small-business users.

Acronis (One-time $49 fee for home use $800 for servers)

• Supports all versions of Windows, Even Windows 7

• One of the best backup systems available for the Windows platform

• Creates a duplicate image of your hard drive

• You can restore files, folders or recover your entire hard drive; Windows, programs, documents, etc.

• If your computer crashes (physical or software/virus) you can install a new drive (or overwrite the current one if it's not damaged), boot to an Acronis CD and use the easy-to-use graphical interface to browse your backup drive (internal, USB or Network drive) to restore the backed up image. Your computer will be back exactly where it was before it crashed!

Time Machine (Mac)

• This is included in Leopard and Snow Leopard

• If you don't know what this is, YOU'RE IN TROUBLE (call me)

• It's the easiest and best backup system ever

• Just need an external hard drive and about three clicks of the mouse to setup.

Backup My PC (Windows 2000 or XP only)

• Download version 4.85

• Download version 5.0 (must install 4.85 first)

• You'll be able to configure a backup selection of your important folders and backup to a flash drive, external hard drive, CD-ROM/DVD or to another computer on the network

Carbonite

• This is a terrific backup option as it continually backs up via the Internet, requiring no interaction on your part

• You choose which folders or files should be backed up

• Your data is encrypted locally and then backed up online to the secure Carbonite servers

• As you change files (like an Excel document), the new version of the file will be copied to the online server and replace the previous version but also keeps a few weeks worth of changed history

• $54 per year

• Use the offer code of LEO for an extra two free months

Adobe Reader

Adobe Flash

iTunes and Quicktime

Office 2007 viewer for Office 2003

WinZip