Computer Cleaner

(Free)

CCleaner

As far as freeware goes, this product is a gem. It cleans your files and helps keep your computer running efficiently.

The product is updated regularly. The fact that it's completely free makes it a "must have" if you don't have any utility to clean your system.

You can visit the site here.

 Computer Cleaner

(Shareware)

System Cleaner 5

Our home computers are kept clean and efficient by System Cleaner 5. Not only does it efficiently remove file "debris", it removes invalid and problem entries from the Registry. It can be scheduled to run it's maintenance automatically, which we find very handy. This is a well priced, easy-to-use and quite indispensable piece of software.

You can find out more here.

Home Network

(Free & Shareware) 

Network Magic

This is one of those software utilities which make you wonder how you ever managed without. Network Magic makes it extremely simple to set up and manage a home network. If you run, or are planning to install, a home network, you must have this software. We simply cannot recommend it highly enough. The free version runs as a full version for 7 days before it reverts back to limited functionality. This is "must have" software for a home network, even more so for a wireless home network.

Try it, you'll see what we mean.

You can find out more here.

 Adware Cleaner

(Free)

Ad-Aware

Of the free adware cleaners, this product is our preference. Ad-Aware removes adware from your computer, and it does the job well. There are paid versions of the product, but the "lite" version, offering basic protection, is available free of charge.

If you have nothing else in this category, Ad-Aware Free is a good start

The product is updated regularly. You can visit the site here.

Adware Cleaner

(Shareware) 

 NoAdware

NoAdware is the software we use on our home computers. It removes adware and spyware very efficiently. It also has features which allow the user to block adware and spyware from downloading and installing themselves in the first place. Another great feature of NoAdware is the user's ability to set up a schedule whereby the software scans the computer automatically. Very convenient and easy to use.

You can find out more here.

Anti Virus Protection

(Free)

Grisoft

Grisoft offers a basic version of their AVG Anti-Virus software completely free.

While the free version doesn't have the features of paid software, offering basic protection only, it is free and it does protect your computer from viruses. If you do not have any virus protection on your computer, this free product is the absolute minimum you must have.

You can visit the site here.

Anti Virus Protection

(Commercial) 

McAfee

The anti-virus software that we recommend and use is McAfee Anti-virus. It is used by many of the world's largest companies and so it is an "industrial strength" product.

It is very reasonably priced for home use and, in all our years of using it, we have never had any problems.

You can find out more here.

 Firewall Protection

(Free)

Zone Alarm

Zone Alarm offers a basic version of their ZoneAlarm Firewall security software completely free for personal use.

There are paid versions that offer much more (as you'd expect), however the free version has protected many millions of home computer users from computer hackers for many years.

While Windows XP provides a basic firewall, you really do need more. 

You can visit the site here.

Firewall Protection

(Shareware) 

Zone Alarm Pro

While the free version of Zone Alarm is great, is only offers basic firewall protection. We prefer, use and recommend the Pro (Shareware) version. It provides solid protection from any attempts to enter our computers and from programs attempting to make changes to our systems. Over our years of using this product, we have never experienced any problems.

If you want solid protection, this is the software you need. If you are running a home network, this is something you must have.

You can find out more here.

Spyware Cleaner

(Free)

Spybot Search & Destroy

Spybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware that has been installed on your computer, usually without your permission. Spybot Search & Destroy does an excellent job of detecting and removing these menacing programs.

It is free to download and use or you can make a donation towards the upkeep of the software.

You can visit the site here.

 Spyware Cleaner

(Shareware)

 NoAdware

NoAdware removes and protects our home computers from Adware and Spyware. It also provides preventative protection from unwanted programs installing themselves on our computers. It can also be scheduled to scan automatically.

NoAdware is good, solid and efficient protection from adware and spyware. Highly recommended.

You can find out more here.

Desktop Sticky Notes

(Free)

Hott Notes

Hott Notes offers a completely free, desktop sticky notes program. Rather than stick notes all over your monitor to remind you of things, this software allows you to create digital notes that reside inside your computer.

You can visit the site here.

Backup

(Shareware) 

Zip Backup

This is the software we use to backup our computers. Zip Backup is very reasonably priced and very easy to use. It is extremely convenient in that it uses zip compression which means that our backup files can be reopened by any zip program.

It is extremely fast and we highly recommend it.

You can find out more here.

Zip Compression

(Free)

7-Zip

7-Zip is a free compression program that "zips" and "unzips" files and programs.

It is Open Source software and therefore completely free to download and use.

You can visit the site here.

Spam Protection

(Free) 

Mailwasher

The free version of Mailwasher offers basic filtering of spam email. If you have nothing filtering your email for you, try the free version of Mailwasher. It's a good start and it's free.

You can find out more here.

Spam Protection

(Shareware) 

 Mailwasher Pro

This is the software that we use to clean our email. It's an easy-to-use software program that does its job extremely well. It has excellent filtering capabilities and some very good features to help you stop spam before it arrives. Highly recommended.

You can find out more here.

Email Cleaner

(Shareware) 

Benign

We use Benign as protection against unwanted software arriving in emails and email attachments. Benign, once installed, works in the background, scanning emails and removing any threats within them or attached to them. Good solid email protection.

You can find out more here.

Photo Album

(Free)

Picasa

Google offers Picasa completely free for all to use.

Picasa is a simple digital photo editing and photo album program. If your digital photos need organising, Picasa may be the answer.

You can visit the site here.

Drawing

(Free)

SketchUp

Another Google program for you to download and use completely free.

SketchUp is a 3d modelling program. If 3d modelling interests you, SketchUp might be what you're looking for.

You can visit the site here.

Word Processing

Spreadsheet

Presentation

(Free)

Open Office

If you find Microsoft's Word, Excel and Powerpoint prohibitively expensive for home use, consider the Open Office suite. It's Open Source software and completely free to use and provides a great alternative to Microsoft Office.

You can visit the site here.

Computer Audit

(Free)

Belarc Advisor

If you'd like to know what's on your computer and how it's configured, the Belarc Advisor will give you everything you need to know. You might want to keep the report for insurance purposes. It's completely free to download and use.

You can visit the site here.