The best free software according to PC Mag The Latest News in Technology | PCMag
Nice find kcrannie, thanks for posting that. PCM describes CFP as the “kick-■■■ choice”. 8)
You’re welcome. PCM lists Microsoft Windows Defender in the list of ‘The Best Free Software’, however, PCM’s does not give Windows Defender a good write-up. I’m surprised that PCM would consider listing it as ‘The Best…’ based on their review. :o I’m actually looking for a good spyware application (free-of-charge, of course), but haven’t decided on which spyware application is the best.
I see some Comodo Forum Member’s are using Spyware Terminator. Any reviews I can read on this before I decide to go with the use of Spyware Terminator’s software? I’ve viewed Spyware Terminator’s website and, while it looks impressive, to say the least, I’d like to receive some reviews before downloading the application or alternative suggestions. Not too keen on using Microsoft Windows Defender based on PCM write-up.
Kevin
Congrats, that’s like the best praise CFP could get; you couldn’t get a better firewall even if you paid for it and it actually does kick Xmoney-makerX. I feel even safer myself as well. (V)
As well as Kcrannie I’d be very interested in hearing/reading comparative remarks about antispyware products. At least the real-time protection field is the one I’ve heard less opinions about. Some in favour of ST as well (and it works fine along with BOClean), but not as consistent as in the AV and especially firewall fields. So I’m specially interested in the anti-spyware real time protection field. :THNK
Also I’ve got the impression that the protection BOClean affords is somehow different from WD’s or ST’s ones. For example at the ST forums people like to complement ST with BOClean, but at the same time they feel they don’t need WD because it’s inferior to ST even though it’s free.
For on-demand scans I’ve heard that AVG Anti-Spyware and SUPERAntiSpyware are best and there’s nearly nothing they can’t detect and remove between the two, whereas famous Ad-Aware has aged very badly and now detects harmless cookies almost only. Any thoughts on this?
I would wait for another site. PCMag, humm, don’t know. Also, the category is freeware.
Free software is something else.
“Free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech”, not as in “free ■■■■”.In other languages this makes more sense. For some reason in english "free" is easily confused with money.
I might have posted too quick. I usually confuse PCMag with PCWorld. ;D
Why not compile a list here in this forum!
Get everyone to help and use the Polls we have to get the users to vote for their best freeware product.
This way, this will be a Best Freeware list done by users for users!
Melih
Great! Okay I’ll post my (largely uneducated) free security choices.
By the way we’re interested in any software that’s for free i.e. you’re not charged for it, just like Comodo’s; at least I am and I don’t care about other discourses. I don’t think there are so many open source security programs, actually open source security sounds like an awful idea, besides open source OSes are not concerned by malware as far as I know.
This thread will be more useful if people explain why they’ve chosen their products and whether they’ve got knowledge on IT or have at least read stuff (and where), or whether they simply installed the first freebie they came across or heard it was okay.
Okay here I go. Please be warned that I don’t have IT knowledge and any decisions I’ve made are based on reviews etc.
FIREWALL.- Comodo Firewall Pro, what else? (:KWL) As far as I know it’s consistently rated at the top in comparisons and some reviews even say that it’s as good as the best for-pay one.
ANTIVIRUS.- Avira AntivVir. I had AVG Free until yesterday and I think it is good but after consistently hearing that AntiVir had better detection I decided to switch. It includes anti-rootkit. The free version doesn’t have email scanner but I don’t deem that so important because:
a) Yahoo etc. have already scanned your mail with their updated for-pay AV.
b) If you don’t use to open unsolicited files especially from spam, you don’t have that much to worry about, and if you do you’re asking for trouble out loud even with AV protection and even with the best AV updated you’re vulnerable to zero-day threats which are the ones that wreak havoc via email worldwide.
c) It just makes no sense to me that somebody is worried about email viruses even though they can be avoided with common sense and then he has some P2P client downloading 24/7. I don’t but I’ve used eMule occcasionally, not often, and AVG Free once found a trojan in one of the files. So it’s better in my opinion to have the best AV for general protection and it will hopefully protect you from anything including what’s managed to come in from your inbox as well, even though common sense is the better protection there.
(B) As soon as the first non-beta version of Comodo AntiVirusSpyware is released I’m going to seriously consider installing it instead of AntiVir. Just make sure the product is ready, if the first release is poor CAVS will suffer the consequences nearly forever even if it’s improved into perfection afterwards.
ANTIMALWARE.-
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Comodo BOClean. (:KWL) I haven’t read many evaluations about this one, just like the rest of antimalware products, but it’s free and low on resources. Some people say it’s good though, not only here.
Plus I understand it’s a trojan specialist and trojans sound like the last things I want in my computer, especially keyloggers now that I do some on line banking --“Comodo building trust on line” 
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Windows Defender. The first time I thought about getting realtime protection it was the obvious option, from MS. People say it’s poor though. All I can say is that it does detect the rest of security software making themselves at home in my Internet connection. I’m not saying it can do the same for malware which tries to be stealthy. WD is set by default to set and forget but you can configure it for greater security.
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Spyware Terminator. When looking for something better than WD somehow I must have read somewhere that this is the best free option. But I’d still like more info --always. By the way the star antimalware choice for the people posting at Spyware Terminator is combining it with Comodo BOClean, and CFP too, they’ve got a very good opinion of Comodo’s products in general over there. 8)
On-demand scanners: I heard AVG Anti-Spyware and SUPERAntiSpyware are good. I have trusty Ad-Aware already installed since years ago (who doesn’t ) but I don’t rely on it because people say it’s aged badly.
Is my antimalware protection overkill? (:NRD) Not that I haven’t got resources to spare, that’s why I’ve got all this installed right now, but if I know for sure it’s worthless I may uninstall WD…
BROWSER.- Opera, that gives me top security as far as I know. Used Firefox for a long time before I ever heard about Opera so I’m not a FF hater in the least extent, I assume it’s safer than IE at least prior to v7, it’s just that I find Opera way way better in every single aspect including security.
I had third-party cookies blocked but now that I’m getting paranoid 
I’ll try blocking all cookies except the ones I decide to allow for every single trusted site, that is defining specific rules for trusted sites and blocking cookies elsewhere.
Also what script allowance option do you set in your browsers? I guess you have to allow it if you want to use pretty much every site because nowadays they all use scripts (these very forums are a case in point) and sure scripts are useful, although sure they can be exploited, just like having an Internet connection in the first place. Plus if you get harassed by popups (which must have been triggered by you since browsers nowadays block unsolicited ones) in Opera every script popup has a “Stop executing scripts in this page” box, so if you check it and press “No” once, it’s all over no matter what.
I’m not saying i have anything against proprietary software. I’m posting here right?
I’m saying freeware is one thing, free software is another. And open source, although related, is not the same.
And all hail Stallman!
Kevin, to answer your question about reviews of Spyware Terminator, you might check http://www.av-comparatives.org/. Not sure if it’ll be in there, but they seem to do thorough testing. More than reviews like in a pc magazine (any more than movie reviews; they’re good for an overview, but not necessarily reality), I’d look to reliable/trustworthy test sources (not just some crazy guy working in his basement collecting malware and posting test results).
On a personal note, I used it for a long time, and have absolutely no problem personally with it. I’ve used it with their HIPS both On and Off, and I never had any conflicts. I’ve switched products a couple times, as I like to try different things, so I’m not using it now. Now that BOClean is free I have that for real-time protection in addition to CAVS Beta as real-time, BitDefender Free for on-demand only, and a-squared free for on-demand only.
IMO, a-squared free is one of the best on-demand malware scanners out there right now. SuperAntiSpyware (free version) is supposed to be thorough, but I don’t care for the way it modifies the system (especially for an on-demand product).
For on-demand, I think BOClean is probably one of the best on-access anti-malware products at present, due primarily to the way it works; it’s mroe “proactive” than “reactive” and I think that’s a good good thing.
LM
PS: Pedro* I think you’re right… there is a difference (as all the Linux stuff will tell you), and certainly in the US we view “free” as a “cost” thing. That’s probably something to be sad about.
Thanks for not leaving me speaking to myself ;D
It’s just one of those curiosities in language evolution. In many other cases, english makes more sense than any other language, also why it’s easy to learn if we have the time.
I’m with you as well Pedro*, you’re not talking to yourself (in this topic). 
You can also determine the type of “free” it is by the context it is used in. For starters, they don’t mention GPL any where (and there’s probably a few more), thus they must mean zero-cost-free.
Thanks for the ‘heads-up’ on the advise of AntiSpyware products. And, Little Mac, I did visit the website you indicated below, even before your mention of it, during this past weekend. I did download Spyware Terminator and within hours of downloading the application, I uninstalled the application. The constant pop-ups asking for permission of an application was driving me insane. I don’t like this H.I.P.S. (or whatever it’s called). I like an application that works silently in the background and doesn’t constantly annoy me with pop-ups. I’m staying away from Spyware Terminator. It’s too annoying for my liking.
Presently, I’m using Comodo Personal Firewall Pro Version 2.4 accompanied with Avast AntiVirus Home Edition 4.7. When the absolute final release of CAVS is launch then, without question, I will make good use of Comodo’s AntiVirus.
Windows Defender does appear to a good Spyware application and, perhaps, I will more than likely make use of this application. It can’t be all that bad. It’s come a long way since its inception two years prior.
Addressing Pedro’s remark re PCMag, I do wholly trust PCMag assessments and evalutions on products and refer to their website often before following through on the use of any product. And, yes, initially, PCMag was where I learned of Comodo Personal Firewall in May 2006. And I have no regrets with the use of CPF Pro. I agree with PCMag, CPF it is a “kick-■■■ firewall.” The hunt for a reputable Spyware application is still on-going… ???
Kevin
I did download Spyware Terminator and within hours of downloading the application, I uninstalled the application. The constant pop-ups asking for permission of an application was driving me insane.I understand, Kevin. The first time I used it, my reaction was about the same!
You can turn that down - turn the HIPS feature off (uncheck one check-box will do that), and set the control feature down to a lower level for each aspect that it monitors (I think there are about four) so that it’s more “automatic.” Don’t know if you want to retry it, but if so, it is quite possible. If you want more detailed instructions, PM me, and I’ll reinstall it to provide those to you.
LM
Sorry Pedro, not a single thing I said was intended against you. It’s just that I myselft don’t care about these discourses, but it’s perfectly okay that you and others do. One of my best frieds is also for free software.
(:AGL) Let’s be pals (:AGL)
;D don’t worry, i didn’t take it the wrong way.
If you wonder one day what it’s about, read from the site i provided above. The one who writes it is the one who started everything, Stallman. (the one on the new recently concerning ridiculous patent claims)
[color=blue]Thanks, Little Mac, but I believe I’m going to shy away from Spyware Terminator. Having given the matter serious thought, I believe it’s in my best interest to purchase Webroot AntiSpyware or CounterSpy. You pay for what you get. In addition, Avast AntiVirus, which I’m currently using has a professional version, which doesn’t cost too much in Canadian dollars. I’m inclined to upgrade to the professional level. Although, I may hold off and wait until the absolute final release of Comodo AVS and in the words of Japo,
As soon as the first non-beta version of Comodo AntiVirusSpyware is released I’m going to seriously consider installing it. Just make sure the product is ready, if the first release is poor CAVS will suffer the consequences nearly forever even if it’s improved into perfection afterwardsNo truer words fitly spoken, Japo.
Microsoft Windows Defender is a cheap shot at providing a lousy antispyware application. Microsoft has done nothing to the application itself since its inception in 2005, according to PCMag. It doesn’t detect malware like Counterspy and Webroot SpySweeper. I know from my own personal experience recently when my computer became infected with the virus/worm/malware (whatever you want to call it) Win32/CTX. At the time I had Norton AntiVirus and Windows Defender and neither application detected this virus. The only application that detected Win32/CTX was Avast AntiVirus. Downloaded Avast Virus Removal Tool and cleaned my machine in one shot. If Comodo is to be the next generation foreleader in providing absolute protection against viruses, spyware that beset PC Users on the Internet, surpassing the best for all but paid applications, they best get it right the first time around, otherwise, as Japo has indicated, they are doom for all eternity.
If it takes Comodo another six months to perfect CAVS, and have it commerically tested before the final release (i.e. PCMag), I’m willing to wait. Rome was not built in a day.
Word of advice to the wise, anyone considering using Panda AntiVirus 2007 http://www.pandasoftware.com buyer beware. PCMag has not given Panda AntiVirus 2007 a good review http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2019396,00.asp And this can be an example of what we’re talking about when referring to Comodo AntiVirus Spyware. First impressions count.
Kevin
Thanks for the link, you need to be registered to browse the contents and since the site looked interesting I did register, but they haven’t activated my account yet… :THNK
IMO, a-squared free is one of the best on-demand malware scanners out there right now. SuperAntiSpyware (free version) is supposed to be thorough, but I don't care for the way it modifies the system (especially for an on-demand product).
Just for the record I’ve done a system restore --nothing wrong, I do SRs all the time. I restored back to a point where neither Spyware Terminator nor SuperAntiSpyware were installed. I might still get ST but I’ll wait until I get further info since I don’t feel at risk, my current machine has been never got infected and right now I feel fairly well protected with Comodo Firewall Pro, Avira Antivir, Comodo BOClean and Windows Defender into the bargain along with safe email and navigating practices.
Of course if you’re really concerned and your data is that important you could pay for security software, it’s not expensive, but talking about freebies as for ST’s popups you can configure it at your liking in detail and there are even modes, so if you don’t like popus you select so-called “beginner mode”. Of course there’s always a tradeoff between set-and-forget and security, the less popups the more “allow unless you’re really sure it’s malign”, the less control and potentially security. I guess.
I won’t install SAS then, for on-demand scans I’ll keep AVG Anti-Spyware which had a strong reputation since its Ewido days and still keeps it. They say it’s good to have several different antimalware scan engines to have all corners covered but for now I won’t care abuot that until I do suspect I got infected --which doesn’t have to happen if I follow safe practices and enjoy decent real time protection?-- or unless I end up following your recommendation about A-squared. SAS did configure itself to run at startup but I disabled that, at least I fooled myselft into believing I managed with my limited knowledge. But if you say it’s too invasive that kind of behaviour does truly suck in my opinion.
But actually AVG AS is set to run at startup too even though the free version doesn’t afford real time protection, and what is worst, just like SAS you can’t disable this via the program’s options. I had to delete a registry key in LM\SOFTW\MS\Win\CurrV\Run that merely run the GUI minimized (may I ask what for, gentlemen at AVG?) --I didn’t find other easier way of disabling it. What is worst I had to disable automatic execution for guard.exe at Control Panel > Admin Tools > Services. That’s the real time protection app but the free version doesn’t afford it (after trial period) so what’s up with AVG running all their muck in my machine for no reason? >:( Well it’s free and a good on-demand scanner, I won’t ask for more. :-\
About Windows Defender, I’ll keep it for now just because I don’t have any restore point where it wasn’t installed. Even supposed experts say it’s poor, dunno. What I’ve heard from users, is that it’s ■■■■ because it never detects anything. Since I don’t think they’re talking about some infection they don’t have, I presume they’re talking about WD’s detecting or not other security software they know is fiddling with their connection. What I can tell is that WD does detect all my other security software, what happens it that WD is configured by default to set-and-forget so it doesn’t block if it doesn’t detect high risk. This is quite logical because otherwise it would confuse beginner users. But you can configure it so that it at least informs you about every unknown or even knowingly benign activity, then you can decide it whether to block it. What you can’t configure for it as far as I know is blocking any unknown activiry until you allow it.
What I don’t know about WD is how good or how bad are its heuristics and signatures database. It does feature heuristics, I assume they’re very poor? What about its signatures database, is it that bad? Does Microsoft have no clue about the malware out there? I can hardly believe that. It’s in their best interest to be well informed, not in order to feature this freebie, but in order to make Windows safer, I know that after some lag MS is taking security seriously.
About browser cookies, now that I’ve got all blocked by default it’s not so easy. This forum doesn’t even need cookies --what tells me good things about Comodo-- but for example Yahoo Webmail or Hotmail need not only second- and third-party cookies, they need cookies which are third-party relative to third-party sites. :o Fortunately other sites have enough with even second-party cookies. So I have to temporarily set the browser to allow cookies, note which sites need them allowed and allow them manually. Any easier way or thoughts on this?
No truer words fitly spoken, Japo.
Thanks. I suppose the Comodo crew is well aware of it anyway and they didn’t need me to remind them.
Word of advice to the wise, anyone considering using Panda AntiVirus 2007 http://www.pandasoftware.com buyer beware. PCMag has not given Panda AntiVirus 2007 a good review http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2019396,00.asp
hi Kevin, I’ve tried Panda. Panda is totally suitable for users who either don’t understand what security truly is or rely blindly on PCM review ( like i said, i haf to disagree wit PCM sometimes ).
Panda’s detection rate is so-so, i’ll never recommend it 4 those who use P2P or search cracks n porn.
its truprevent will be turned down by comodo firewall v3. its firewall is a little better than windows firewall. its firewall never pop me anything which makes me wonder but sure makes my girl n my parents happy.
IMO, a-squared free is one of the best on-demand malware scanners out there right now. SuperAntiSpyware (free version) is supposed to be thorough, but I don't care for the way it modifies the system (especially for an on-demand product).
a lot of ppl recommend a-square, Castlecops recommend it too. it has a huge database for trojan. but it never get good comments from trustworthy testing sites.
for SAS, i hate the way it nags for money. the plash screen appear at startup drive me crazy. i take it out after 1 day no matter how effective it is.
I did buy for ad-aware pro version which i could use its real-time ad-watch. but ad-watch’s automatic featuse sometimes caused problem so i turned it off. and again, plash screen appearred at startup. I never use ad-watch from then. (so only thing i benefit from buying the pro version is its context menu integration _)
Just for the record I've done a system restore --nothing wrong, I do SRs all the timei advice u shouldn't use ST. ST can make ur comp become cripple. u need a true proffesional disk image program such as acronis true image which i'm using now or norton ghost.
my norm: never rely on MS’s products.
In addition, Avast AntiVirus, which I'm currently using has a professional version, which doesn't cost too much in Canadian dollars. I'm inclined to upgrade to the professional level
wit comodo’s firewall v3 release, together wit an real-time monitor AS, i find no reason to upgrade Avast.
my 2c.
Thanx.
About browser cookies, now that I've got all blocked by default it's not so easy. This forum doesn't even need cookies --what tells me good things about Comodo-- but for example Yahoo Webmail or Hotmail need not only second- and third-party cookies, they need cookies which are third-party relative to third-party sites. Fortunately other sites have enough with even second-party cookies. So I have to temporarily set the browser to allow cookies, note which sites need them allowed and allow them manually. Any easier way or thoughts on this?Depends what browser you're using. IE has limited options. Firefox has a number of built-in controls, including the ability to clear all cached data when closed (IE says it does this, but I've never found that to be true); there are also a number of plugins/add-ons/extensions that allow you nth degree control over acceptance and storage of cookies. Thus you could taylor those sites for which you need cookies with a click or two (on the fly), and have them all cleared when you close the browser. I haven't used Opera, so I'll let others comment there; no doubt there are other browser options as well.
LM