21 tools to keep your data secure

Security has always been one of the major concerns for the human kind, be it their homes or their data. Most of the viruses and spyware find their way into computers through the Internet. To safeguard your computer and minimize data loss, it is advised to install antivirus, antispyware and firewall software and also update them regularly. However, most of these software come at very high prices. But, that shall not worry you, as we give you a list of 21 free security software that work as fine as their paid counterparts.

Antivirus

1. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

It is the most popular free solution available at no cost to home users and provides the high level of detection capability. It's easy to use, has automatic daily database updates and is low on system resources. It provides real time protection and its virus vault is extremely efficient for handling

infected files.http://free.grisoft.com

2. Avast 4 Home Edition

It is a full-featured antivirus package, designed exclusively for home users and non-commercial use. It has a simple user interface and contains resident protection of the computer file system with a resident module for e-mails and news. It has support for 64 bit Windows, automatic updates, and a Web Shield to monitor all HTTP traffic. http://www.avast.com

3. Avira AntiVir Personal Edition Classic

This is a comprehensive, easy to use antivirus program, designed to offer reliable virus protection to home-users only. It constantly and rapidly scans your computer for malicious programs thus being able to react promptly when a malicious program is detected. It also has extensive malware recognition, automatic incremental updates, an advanced heuristic system, and a scheduler to perform automatic scans. www.free-av.com

4. PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition

With PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition, you are protected against the most nefarious cyber-threats attempting to gain access to your PC and personal information. It provides reasonable protection, with rapid database updates, OnGuard real-time protection and comprehensive system scanning to ensure your system remains safe and virus free.http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus

5. ClamWin

This free antivirus comes with an easy installer and Open Source code. It features high detection rates for viruses and spyware, scanning scheduler, automatic downloads of regularly updated virus database, standalone virus scanner and right-click menu integration to Windows Explorer and a plug-in to Microsoft Outlook to remove virus-infected attachments automatically, thus providing maximum security. http://www.clamwin.com

6. Bitdefender 8

BitDefender 8 uses the same ICSA Labs certified scanning engines found in other BitDefender products, allowing you to enjoy basic virus protection for no cost at all. It features an on demand scanning functionality with a powerful scan engines, scheduled scanning, and a report feature to create a report file, where you can see statistics about the scan process. http://www.bitdefender.com

7. CyberHawk Basic CyberHawk Basic provides comprehensive protection against viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, rootkits, keyloggers and buffer overflows. It also does real-time malware detection and immediately shuts down destructive processes. It gets automatic updates and also features CyberHawk's own reporting and protection statistics. http://www.novatix.com/GetCyberhawk/

Antispyware

1. Ad-Aware 2007

It is one of the most popular anti-spyware product for computer users around the world. It provides advanced protection against spyware that secretly attaches and takes control of your computer. It's got an improved Code Sequence Identification (CSI) technology, does incremental definition file updates, and has multiple browsers support with a user-friendly interface. http://www.lavasoftusa.com

2. AVG Anti-Spyware Free

It is a popular antispyware solution available to home users and provides a high level of detection capability. It is easy to use, and receives daily database updates from the grisoft server. It uses advance heuristics to detect unknown threats and keeps the threat minimal using its automatic cleaning engine. http://free.grisoft.com

3. Spybot - Search & Destroy

It includes removal of certain advertising components that may gather statistics as well as detection of various keylogging and other spy utilities. In addition, it also securely removes PC and Internet usage tracks with an attractive outlook-style interface.SpyBot produces a detailed and easy to understand report before it deletes any files and allows you to deselect any item that you do not want to be processed. In addition, a recovery feature allows you to restore your settings, if needed. http://www.safer-networking.org

4. Windows Defender

Windows Defender is a free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. It features real-time protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware, when it's detected and minimizes interruptions and helps you stay productive. http://miniurl.org/kTz

5. Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner

It detects a multitude of spyware, adware, trojan, keylogger and trackware components; sources of irritation that antivirus software does not deal with. The scanning process is quick and provides detailed information to uninstall the invasive spyware or put you in contact with the spyware developer for the most up-to-date and safe uninstall instructions. http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/index.html

7. A-squared free It is a full-tool to clean your computer from malware. Not only spywares, as detected by classic anti-spyware programs, but also especially trojans, backdoors, worms, dialers, keyloggers and a lot of other destructive pests, which makes it dangerous to surf the Web are kept in check. It features an intelligent scanner, daily updates, scheduled scans and an easy to use interface. http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free

6. Spyware Doctor

Spyware Doctor has the most advanced update feature that continually improves its spyware fighting capabilities on daily basis. As spyware gets more complex to avoid detection by antispyware programs Spyware Doctor responds with new technology to stay one step ahead. With an easy to use interface and intelligent automatic protection you can always count on spyware doctor to keep your data safe. www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor

Firewalls

1. Comodo This firewall secures against internal and external attacks and blocks Internet access to malicious trojan programs, securing your personal data against theft. It delivers total end-point security for personal computers and the networks. http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com

2. Zonealarm

This easy-to-use firewall blocks hackers and other unknown threats by systematically blocking any access attempts. With an enhanced user interface, it also makes your computer invisible to anyone on the Internet, which automatically results into maximum security for your data.  

3. Outpost Firewall

The FREE version of Outpost Firewall offers a basic protection solution for casual Web surfers and low budget systems. It provides standard packet and application filtering, connections monitoring and maintains your privacy on the Internet while keeping browser protected from Internet dangers. http://miniurl.org/pdJ

4. Ashampoo Firewall Free

It comes with a one-click firewall protection for everyone and one can activate expert functions, if required. Utilizing minimum memory and computer resources, it provides the user with a Block All Panic button to stop all traffic with a single click. Providing detailed logging of all connections, it comes with four additional network security tools.http://www.ashampoo.com

5. SoftPerfect Personal Firewall

It is a free network firewall designed to protect your PC against attacks from the Internet or via a local area network. It supports multiple network adapter configurations with a flexible filtering system, trusted MAC address checking feature and separate network adapter configuration you can even use it on a router or a server. http://www.softperfect.com/products/firewall

6. Jetico Personal Firewall

It enables you to protect your computer against hackers and malicious software when networked or connected to the Internet. Choose a pre-defined security policy or create your own security policy to monitor running applications that access the network. Allowing one to monitor selected or all network packets as well as selected network events, this firewall uses a three layer protection to keep a check on your computer.

http://www.jetico.com

7. Omniquad Personal Firewall

It keeps your computer shielded from hackers by blocking all unsolicited network connections and traffic to your computer, yet you can browse the Web unaffected. In addition to making your computer invisible, it gives you a full control over what programs on your computer gain access to the Internet. www.omniquad.com/pfirewall.html