Web Browsers

Firefox: http://getfirefox.com
Provides built in popup blocking and filtering while being more secure than Internet Explorer.

Google Toolbar: http://toolbar.google.com
Available for both Internet Explorer and Firefox, the Toolbar blocks popup windows and provides a host of other useful features.


Email

Thunderbird: http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird/
An alternate email client with built-in SPAM blocking and filtering. The latest version also has built-in Anti-Phishing technology which alerts you to possible scam email. It will also import your mail and address book from Outlook Express on first use.

SpamBayes: http://spambayes.sourceforge.net/
If you must use Microsoft Outlook and can't make the switch to Thunderbird, you can get SPAM filtering through the use of this 3rd part plug-in. SpamBayes learns what you consider to be spam through pattern matching and character recognition. It will become more accurate over time as you specify what is and is not SPAM.


Anti-Virus

AVG Anti-Virus, Free Edition: http://free.grisoft.com
Free for personal and private non commercial use. AVG provides automated updates and virus scanning of files and incoming email.

Antivir Personal Edition: http://www.free-av.com/
Free for personal and private non commercial use. Antivir provides prootection and security against viruses, worms, Trojan horses and dialers.

Trend Micro Housecall: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
Provides the ability to scan your computer for the latest viruses using a web browser. Must be accessed through Internet Explorer, it does not work in Firefox.

eTrust Anti-Virus: http://store.ca.com
Though not free, they do provide a 30 day free trial. Cranberry Tech recommends eTrust for all of it's business clients. It provides protection from viruses as well as automatic updates and scheduled file scanning.


Anti-Spyware

Microsoft Windows Defender: http://www.microsoft.com/spyware
Real-time scanning and monitoring for spyware. Provides automated updates, scanning and spyware removal.

Spy Catcher Express: http://www.tenebril.com
Real-time scanning and monitoring for spyware. Does not provide automated updates but as long as you update it a few times per month it will keep your system spyware free. Recommended along with Windows Defender for full protection.

Ad-Aware: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware
Though it does not provide automated updates or scanning it does often find spyware that Microsoft Defender doesn't.

SpyBot: http://safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
Similar in function to Ad-Aware, it does need to be updated and run manually. It does often find thing that Microsoft Defender and Ad-Aware do not.


Software Firewall

ZoneAlarm: http://www.zonelabs.com
Though well hidden on their site, the basic edition of ZoneAlarm is free for personal and private use.

Windows XP Service Pack 2: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2
If you are running Windows XP you should already have service pack 2 on your computer. You can check to see if you have SP2 installed by click on Start -> Control Panel -> System. It will say if you have SP2 on the right side of the window.


Hardware Firewall/Router

Hardware firewalls are inherently more reliable than software firewalls for several reasons. The first being that they are always-on and are continually preventing unwanted internet access to your computer. They also allow multiple computers to share the same internet connection. Though there are many firewall/router manufacturers out there, two routers that we frequently use are listed below. If you are looking for a router, browse the Sunday sale ads, you shouldn't have to spend more than $30 - $40.

Netgear 54 Mbps Wireless Router, Model WGR614
Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router, Model WRT54G


Windows Update

If you have Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP Home or XP Professional, you can download all of the latest updates for your computer from http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com. Windows Update must be accessed through Interned Explorer, it does not work in Firefox. Windows XP users can access Windows Updated by going to Start -> All Programs -> Windows Update.