The following security tools are some of our favourite top picks. These security tools are available to try and if you like them then you can buy the full feature versions or stay with the basic free tool. Most of the following products are free for personal use but if you like them you can usually make a donation to help keep them free or purchase the full versions. Businesses are usually offered a free trial period then they will require a licence to continue using them. Remember, the most effective method for computer security is the layer approach. Results may vary depending on the version of the Operating System that you are using. It's also up to you to ensure that you update your software and scan regularly where required. Make sure that you check system requirements before downloading any new software on your PC as well as the EULA (end-user license agreement). Use at your own risk.

Ad-Aware SE Personal

Ad-Aware Personal is a free program that is tremendously accurate at detecting spyware on your PC. Its offers advanced protection from known data mining, advertising, Trojans, dialers, malware, browser hijackers, and tracking components. Ad-Aware is easy to install, use and releases frequent updates.

Avast! 4 Home Edition - FREE antivirus software - Download

Avast! antivirus Home Edition is available free of charge for non-commercial home use ONLY. avast! antivirus Home Edition provides continuous protection of your valuable data and programs by updating itself automatically. Simply install and forget. It also comes with anti-spyware & anti-rootkit protection for Windows, which are typically available only in the paid versions of many antivirus products.

AVG Anti Virus Free Download

AVG anti virus free download from Grisoft offers a very efficient anti virus program, which releases frequent updates. The scheduler located in the control panel allows you to schedule updates and scans automatically. If for any reason you miss your scheduled scan time then you have the option to manually scan at your convenience. This program is very easy to install and use. AVG Free version does not include 24/7 technical support but they do provide a forum that you can visit to ask questions or search previously asked questions and answers.

CCleaner

CCleaner is a freeware PC optimization tool that combines a system cleaner that removes unused and temporary files from your system and also a fully featured registry cleaner! CCleaner allows Windows to run faster, more efficiently and gives you more hard disk space.

FileHippo.com Update Checker

FileHippo.com Update Checker will scan your computer for installed software, check the versions and then send this information to FileHippo.com to see if there are any newer releases. These are then neatly displayed in your browser for you to download. Please note that not all programs are supported.

Firefox

Mozilla Firefox is a reliable and very secure web browser.

Google Chrome

Google Chrome runs web pages and applications with lightning speed. Make sure to go into the options > then "Under the hood" and "content settings" to tweak your privacy settings.

LoJack For Laptops

LoJack for Laptops Premium protects your computer from theft, includes: Theft Recovery, Data & Device Security and $1000 Service Guarantee. Learn More!

Mailwasher

Mailwasher is a reliable free anti spam program. It's very easy to set up with pop (post office protocol) accounts such as Outlook Express. The way it works is that you run Mailwasher when you check your mail with your ISP (Internet Service Provider). This little program will check your mail and before it's downloaded on to your hard drive, it will make suggestions as to whether the mail looks normal, possible virus or spam. It leaves it up to you to make the final call to retrieve, blacklist, delete or bounce it. The Bounce option is used if you want to appear that your account is no longer active but it can annoy your ISP so use with discretion.

Malware Bytes

Malware Bytes Anti Malware is an anti-malware application that can thoroughly remove even the most advanced malware. It includes a number of features, including a built in protection monitor that blocks malicious processes before they even start.

PC Pitstop

PC Pitstop is an important site to check out for general computer maintenance, disk health, security, help and tips. They offer a variety of free online scans and will provide you with free diagnostic results. Your aim here is to get all checkered flags. If you get a red or yellow flag, you will get suggestions on how to fix any problems.

Pop-up Blocker

Pop-Up Blocker Free Edition by Panicware blocks Internet and Messenger service ads. It's easy to install and use. You can easily allow certain windows to unblock by pressing the Ctrl key while the page loads.

Rapport by Trusteer

Rapport is a lightweight security software solution that protects web communication between enterprises, such as banks, and their customers and employees by locking down customer browsers and creating a tunnel for safe communication with the online website. Rapport’s unique technology blocks advanced Trojans including Zeus, Silon, Torpig and Yaludle without the need to constantly update and chase the different variants of these Trojans.

Revo Uninstaller

Revo Uninstaller assists you in uninstalling any unwanted and perhaps difficult programs on your computer.

Secunia Personal Software Inspector

Secunia Personal Software Inspector is a FREE security tool designed to detect vulnerable and out-dated programs and plug-ins which expose your PC to attacks.

SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition

SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition detects and removes Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, KeyLoggers, Dialers, Hi-Jackers, and Worms.The free edition does not include real-time blocking or scheduled scanning.

Spybot Search and Destroy

Spybot Search and Destroy is one of the classics out there for spyware detection. It is strongly recommended to scan your PC with this product regularly as it does detect some spyware that others may miss. This product is very reliable, it's available in many languages and updates are offered through several different sites worldwide.

Spyware Guard

Spyware Guard scans files before you open them but instead of scanning for viruses it scans for spyware. It's very easy to download, install and update. It's a great addition to your layering protection.

Vipre Antivirus

Download VIPRE Antivirus Premium by Sunbelt Software. Vipre is a high-performance antivirus + antispyware software with an integrated firewall. It doesn't slow down your PC like other antivirus products. We really love this product and recommend it. Try it free for 30 days.

Windows Clean Up

Windows Clean Up is a free gutter cleaner that rids your computer of all temporary files that your computer picks up along the way and frees up more disk space. This extremely easy to use program by Steven Gould, removes temporary files, empties the Recycle Bin, deletes files from your temporary folders, removes traces of your internet activity by deleting Browser cache, history and cookies. This program benefits both the maintenance of your computer as well as your privacy.

WinPatrol

WinPatrol Free by Bill P studios featuring Scotty the Guard Dog is a security-monitoring program that every computer must have. WinPatrol inspects several Windows system spots that malware is most likely to alter, including programs launched at start-up, browser helper objects, scheduled tasks, services, and cookies.

Zone Alarm

Zone Alarm by Zone Labs is an award winning firewall, which is really easy to install and use. A feature that is great about Zone Alarm is that it gives the user quite a bit of control about what programs to allow, deny or ask permission. The free version offers you a basic network and program firewall.