This page does not deal with configuring security (permissions), but lists some basic security tools that may help you protect your computers from viruses and malware.
| Security Check / Patch Management | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Description | Manufacturer | Download | Purchase |
| beITsmart | Online enterprise version of Belarc Advisor | Belarc |  |
 |
| Belarc Advisor | List installed hardware, software & license numbers, missing Microsoft hotfixes, anti-virus status & CIS benchmarks | Belarc | |
Free (for personal use) |
| BrowserCheck | Check security patches of browsers and plugins | Qualys | |
Free |
| Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer | Check your Windows installation for vulnerabilities | Microsoft | |
Free |
| Microsoft Security Assessment Tool | Assess weaknesses in your IT security environment | Microsoft | |
Free (validation required) |
| Microsoft Security Compliance Manager | Configure and manage your computers using Group Policy and SCCM | Microsoft | |
Free |
| Office Update Inventory Tool | Check status of Microsoft Office updates | Microsoft | |
Free |
| Qualys FreeScan | Detect vulnerabilities on your Internet-facing server | Qualys |  |
Free |
| Qfecheck | Command line utility to verify the installation of Windows 2000 and Windows XP hotfixes | Microsoft | |
Free (validation required) |
| Secunia Network Software Inspector | Check your network installed software for vulnerabilities | Secunia | |
|
| Secunia Online Software Inspector | Check your locally installed software online for vulnerabilities | Secunia | |
Free |
| Secunia Personal Software Inspector | Check your locally installed software for vulnerabilities | Secunia | |
Free (for personal use) |
| Sunbelt Network Security Inspector | Network vulnerability scanner | Sunbelt Software | |
|
| Symantec Online Security Check | Online security scanner | Symantec | |
Free |
| Windows Server Update Services | Deliver updates to corporate environments from Microsoft Update | Microsoft | |
Free |
| Anti-Virus | ||||
| Product | Description | Manufacturer | Download | Purchase |
| Avast Online Virus Scanner | Online (single file) virus scanner | ALWIL Software | |
Free |
| AVG AntiVirus Free | Anti-Virus software | AVG | |
Free (for personal use) |
| AVG AntiVirus | Anti-Virus software | AVG | N/A | |
| AVG AntiVirus Network Edition | Anti-Virus software | AVG | N/A | |
| AVG AntiVirus for e-Mail Servers | Anti-Virus software | AVG | N/A | |
| AVG AntiVirus for File Servers | Anti-Virus software | AVG | N/A | |
| BitDefender AntiVirus | Anti-Virus software | BitDefender | |
|
| BitDefender AntiVirus for Windows File Servers | Anti-Virus software | BitDefender | |
|
| BitDefender AntiVirus for Samba Linux File Servers | Anti-Virus software | BitDefender | |
|
| BitDefender Online Virus Scanner | Online virus scanner (Internet Explorer 4+) | BitDefender | |
Free |
| Comodo AntiVirus | Anti-Virus | Comodo | |
Free |
| ESET Online Scanner | Online malware scanner | ESET | |
Free |
| Kaspersky AntiVirus | Anti-Virus software | Kaspersky Lab | |
|
| Kaspersky Online Virus Scanner | Online virus scanner (Internet Explorer 6+) | Kaspersky Lab | |
Free |
| McAfee Security Scan Plus | Check security, detect and clean infections | McAfee | |
Free |
| McAfee VirusScan USB | Anti-Virus software for USB sticks | McAfee | |
|
| Microsoft Safety Scanner | Verify that your PC is free of infections | Microsoft | |
Free (expires 10 days after download) |
| Microsoft Security Essentials | Anti-Virus software | Microsoft | |
Free (validation required) |
| Panda ActiveScan | Online virus scanner (Internet Explorer 5+) | Panda Security | |
Free |
| Reimage PC Repair | Scan and repair damaged system files (single computer license) | Reimage | |
|
| Reimage Three PC Repair | Scan and repair damaged system files (3 computers license) | Reimage | |
|
| Stinger | Cleanup after infection | McAfee | |
Free |
| Symantec Online Virus Scan | Online virus scanner (Internet Explorer 5+) | Symantec | |
Free |
| Trend Micro HouseCall | Online virus/malware scanner (multi-platform) (5) | Trend Micro | |
Free |
| VIPRE Antivirus | Anti-Virus & Anti-Spyware | Sunbelt Software | |
|
| VIPRE Antivirus Premium | Anti-Virus & Anti-Spyware & Firewall | Sunbelt Software | |
|
| VIPRE PC Rescue | Scan and clean heavily infected PCs where installation of AV software is no longer possible | Sunbelt Software | |
Free |
| Anti-Spyware / Anti-Malware | ||||
| Product | Description | Manufacturer | Download | Purchase |
| a-squared Anti-Malware | Anti-Malware | Emsi Software | |
|
| a-squared Command Line Scanner | Anti-Malware | Emsi Software | |
Free for private use |
| a-squared Command Line Scanner Pro | Anti-Malware | Emsi Software | |
|
| a-squared Emergency USB Stick | Anti-Malware to be run from USB sticks | Emsi Software | |
|
| a-squared Free | Anti-Malware | Emsi Software | |
Free |
| AVG AntiRootkit | Find and remove Rootkits | Grisoft | |
Free |
| AVG AntiSpyware | Anti-Spyware software | Grisoft | |
Free (for personal use) |
| BitDefender AntiSpyware | Real-time protection against spyware, scanner & removal tool | BitDefender | |
|
| BlackLight | RootKit scanner | F-Secure | |
Free |
| CounterSpy | Anti-Malware | Sunbelt Software | |
|
| CounterSpy Enterprise | Anti-Malware | Sunbelt Software | |
|
| GMER | RootKit scanner | GMER | |
Free |
| MalAware | Malware scanner | Emsi Software | |
Free |
| Mamutu | Behaviour based malware blocking | Emsi Software | |
|
| Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool | Scan for and remove spyware & other malware | Microsoft | |
Free |
| QualysGuard Malware Detection | Website malware scan | Qualys | |
Free |
| Reimage PC Repair | Scan and repair damaged system files (single computer license) | Reimage | |
|
| Reimage Three PC Repair | Scan and repair damaged system files (3 computers license) | Reimage | |
|
| RUBotted | Check if your computer is part of a botnet | Trend Micro | |
Free |
| Spyware Blaster | Prevent spyware infections by securing your browser(s) | Javacool Software | |
Free (for personal use) donations welcome |
| Spyware Blaster Network Version | Prevent spyware infections by securing your browsers | Javacool Software | |
|
| Trend Micro RootKit Buster | RootKit scanner | Trend Micro | |
Free |
| VIPRE | Anti-Virus & Anti-Spyware | Sunbelt Software | |
|
| VIPRE PC Rescue | Scan and clean heavily infected PCs where installation of AV software is no longer possible | Sunbelt Software | |
Free |
| Windows Defender | Real-time protection against spyware | Microsoft | |
Free (validation required) |
| Windows Defender Offline | Boot from a DVD and scan your PC for infections | Microsoft | |
Free |
| ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware | Real-time protection, scanner & removal tool | ZoneLabs | |
|
| Password Management | ||||
| Product | Description | Manufacturer | Download | Purchase |
| Access Manager | Password manager | Citi-Software | |
|
| KeePass Password Safe | Open source password manager | Dominik Reichl | |
Free (donations welcome) |
| LastPass | Password manager | LastPass | |
Free |
| LastPass Premium | Password manager | LastPass | |
|
| RoboForm | Automated password manager & form filler | Siber Systems | |
|
| Saved Password Editor | Improved password management add-on for FireFox | Daniel Dawson | |
Free |
| Anti-Spam | ||||
| Product | Description | Manufacturer | Download | Purchase |
| BitDefender AntiSpam for Mail Servers (Win SMTP Proxy) | Anti-Spam software | BitDefender | |
|
| Comodo AntiSpam Desktop | Sender authentication based anti-spam (1) | Comodo | |
Free (registration required) |
| iHateSpam | Anti-Spam software | Sunbelt Software | |
|
| Personal Firewall | ||||
| Product | Description | Manufacturer | Download | Purchase |
| Comodo Personal Firewall | Personal Firewall | Comodo | |
Free |
| Innovative Firewall Manager | XP SP2 Firewall Front-End | Innovative Solutions | |
|
| Innovative StartUp Firewall | StartUp Firewall | Innovative Solutions | |
|
| Online Armor Premium Firewall | Personal Firewall | Emsi Software | |
|
| Sunbelt Personal Firewall | Personal Firewall | Sunbelt Software | |
Free (2) (for personal use) |
| Sunbelt Personal Firewall | Personal Firewall | Sunbelt Software | |
|
| ZoneAlarm | Personal Firewall | ZoneLabs | |
Free (for personal use) |
| ZoneAlarm Pro | Personal Firewall | ZoneLabs | |
|
| Anti-Phishing | ||||
| Product | Description | Manufacturer | Download | Purchase |
| Comodo VerificationEngine | Anti-Phishing | Comodo | |
Free |
| McAfee SiteAdvisor | Rates the risk of current page and search results | McAfee | |
Free |
| TrendProtect | Rates the risk of current page and search results | Trend Micro | |
Free |
| Encryption/Authentity Verification | ||||
| Product | Description | Manufacturer | Download | Purchase |
| CryptoStorage | Encrypt logical, removable or virtual disks, files and/or folders | InfoWatch | |
|
| Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs | Centrally control EFS settings on all your PCs | Microsoft | |
Free |
| File Checksum Integrity Verifier (FCIV) | MD5 and SHA1 file checksum calculator | Microsoft | |
Free |
| Genie Eyes Only | AES based encryption software | Genie-Soft | |
|
| StringHash | MD5 and SHA* string checksum calculator | Rob van der Woude | |
Free (donations welcome) |
| SysKey | Secures/encrypts the Windows (XP) SAM accounts database | Microsoft | Native in Windows XP | |
| TrueCrypt | Encrypt logical, removable or virtual disks | TrueCrypt Foundation | |
Free (donations welcome) |
| Laptops | ||||
| Product | Description | Manufacturer | Download | Purchase |
| BlueWatchDog | Hardware: Emits an alarm at both ends when your laptop case and cell phone get separated from each other | Secu4 | N/A (hardware) |
|
| LAlarm | Emits a loud siren sound when an USB stick is removed (requires an old USB stick that can be tied to the furniture) | LAlarm | |
Free for personal use |
| Laptop Alarm (3) | Emits a loud alarm when someone tries to steal your laptop | Syfer.nl | |
|
| Miscellaneous | ||||
| Product | Description | Manufacturer | Download | Purchase |
| Adobe Flash Player Settings | Manage security settings for Adobe Flash player | Adobe | |
Free |
| a-squared Anti-Dialer | Anti-Dialer | Emsi Software | |
Free |
| a-squared HiJackFree | Anti-Dialer | Emsi Software | |
|
| Attack Surface Analyzer | Catalogue changes made to the OS attack surface by the installation of new software | Microsoft | |
Free |
| DelFlash.vbs | Delete Local Stored Objects ("Flash Cookies") (6) | Rob van der Woude | |
Free (donations welcome) |
| Dan Pollock's HOSTS file | Set IP address 127.0.0.1 for maliscious or unwanted sites | Dan Pollock | |
Free |
| FlashCookiesCleaner | Delete Local Stored Objects ("Flash Cookies") (6) | Mixesoft | |
Free |
| Free Hide Folder | Hide files and folders (4) | Cleanersoft.com | |
Free (donations welcome) |
| IEHistoryViewer | Browse IE's history and/or remove selected entries | NirSoft | |
Free |
| Innovative StartUp Firewall | StartUp Firewall | Innovative Solutions | |
|
| JavaRa | Update JRE and remove older versions | SingularLabs | |
Free (donations welcome) |
| LUA Buglight | Trace and fix LUA bugs | Aaron Margosis | |
Free |
| McAfee Wi-Fi Scan | Online Wi-Fi security check (Internet Explorer 5+) | McAfee | |
Free |
| MyUSBOnly | Manage access to removable media | MyUSBOnly | |
|
| NetWrix USB Blocker (9) | Manage access to removable media | NetWrix | |
Free |
| NoAutoRun.bat | Block Windows' AutoRun.inf feature | Scott Dunn (.reg), Rob van der Woude (.bat) | |
Free |
| Password Checker | Test the strength of your passwords | Microsoft | |
Free |
| Privilege Authority | Elevate applications, Windows features and ActiveX controls | ScriptLogic | |
Free |
| PsExec | Block malicious web code by running your browser with limited user priviliges:psexec -l -d"c:\program files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe"psexec -l -d"c:\program files\mozilla firefox\firefox.exe" |
Mark Russinovich (Microsoft) | |
Free |
| Reimage PC Repair | Scan and repair damaged system files (single computer license) | Reimage | |
|
| Reimage Three PC Repair | Scan and repair damaged system files (3 computers license) | Reimage | |
|
| Securable | Check which hardware security features (64-bit instruction, DEP, virtualization) your CPU supports (7) | Steve Gibson | |
Free |
| SSL Blacklist | Firefox add-on to detect unsafe SSL certificates (8) | CodeFromThe70s.org | |
Free |
| SSL Guardian | Internet Explorer add-on to detect unsafe SSL certificates (8) | Heise Online | |
Free |
| Tiny Watcher | Monitor system changes | Olivier Lombart | |
Free |
| Windows SteadyState | Restrict acces and/or undo any system or file modifications | Microsoft | |
Free (validation required) |
| Notes: | (1) | Read the documentation thoroughly before installing and using this software. Sender authentication ("whitelisting") may be an effective anti-spam method (arguably the best), but if you were to use it for a while and then uninstall it, you may find you'll receive more spam than ever before. |
| (2) | Will continue working in (limited) free mode after the trial period expires. Requires a paid license to return to full mode after the trial period. Check the Sunbelt website to view a comparison of free and full modes. |
|
| (3) | Read this review of LaptopAlarm. | |
| (4) | Though hiding your files may prevent others from accidentally accessing confident or private files, for true protection files should be encrypted before hiding them! | |
| (5) | Though multi-platform (Java based), Trend Micro HouseCall version 6.5 as well as 6.6 failed on my own PC (Windows XP SP2, Firefox 2, and perhaps "too much" security software). | |
| (6) | Best used in conjunction with Adobe Flash Player Settings. | |
| (7) | Read Steve's explanation on www.grc.com/securable.htm. | |
| (8) | Read more on the OpenSSL vulnerability addressed by these add-ins in this article: Debian package of OpenSSL generates weak keys. | |
| (9) | Requires Active Directory (Windows Server 2003 or later) and SQL Server 2005 or later. |
:: Stop and disable autorun for removable media (effective immediately)
SC Stop ShellHWDetection
SC Config ShellHWDetection start= disabled
:: Disable autorun.inf (effective after next reboot)
SET RegKey=HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\IniFileMapping\Autorun.inf
REG Add "%RegKey%" /ve /d "@SYS:DoesNotExist" /t REG_SZ /f
| page last uploaded: 11 April 2013, 21:59 |