The following are tools that I use.
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Browsers. I used to favor Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE). Now
that venerable tool has fallen behind the times. The following are in my
order of preference. In the past I recommended choosing a single browser
(MS IE), My current recommendation is to install Firefox and Slim Browser.
Firefox for standard browsing needs. Slim Browser for specific sites that
require the use of MS IE. |
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Firefox |
Latest and greatest from Mozilla. Truthfully, after Netscape, I never
thought that I would want to use a Mozilla browser. Firefox changed my
mind. Reliable and fast. Does not miss any of the expected bells and
whistles. Very easy to use. Free. |
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Opera |
Fast and powerful. I always liked Opera. However, not all pages
display right. There is a free advertiser sponsored version as well as a
paid version. |
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Slim Browser |
Microsoft's Internet Browser is packaged into a shell that supports tabbed
pages, pop-up blockers, and all of the other expected modern tools that
Microsoft has not yet built into their native code. Negative: still has
all of Microsoft's Internet Browser's inherent idiosyncrasies and security
flaws. Positive: This class of browser substitutes (ones that re-package
IE), will support corporate users that depend on ActiveX components and will not
see degraded performance that artificially dogs other browsers when visiting
some of Microsoft's sites. Free. |
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FTP tools. I used to always use bulletproof. However, ws-ftp has
improved so many aspects of using FTP that it is now my favorite choice. I
use the synchronization feature all of the time. |
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bulletproof
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FTP client software. Upload and download files. Very
reliable. Very fast. Shareware. |
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ws_ftp |
Most full-featured FTP application around. Fast, easy to use, reliable.
Comes with extra tools to help synchronize directories. Shareware. |
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Messenger Tools |
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Trillian |
None of the current crop of messenger tools are compatible with each other.
However, Trillian attempts to make all tools that you installed on your
computer run under a single umbrella. Looks nice. Works great.
Free. |
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Desktop Remote Control. I use UltraVNC most of the time. Not only is
it fast, reliable and free, but it has both a super client plus the host can
optionally be accessed using a Javascript browser application! I use
pcAnywhere when I need to perform file transfers. |
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pcAnywhere |
Good for corporate style use. Good screen sharing. Excellent file
download / upload controls. I find this to generally meet whatever
needs that I have. However, it can be pricey and it sometimes crashes
the client computer. |
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UltraVNC |
Excellent screen sharing. Primitive file download / upload controls.
Free. |
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| Tools
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Sam Spade |
Go to the web site for up to date general tools.
Download the Sam
Spade application for a super desktop application that does it all! |
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Toolbar Cop |
Simple / excellent tool to test for just about any type of toolbar / add-on
that may affect IE - and provides for disabling. |
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WinsockXP |
WinSock XP Fix offers a last resort if your Internet connectivity has been
corrupted due to invalid or removed registry entries. |
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| Security Tools |
| Firewalls. My current
favorite personal firewall is Outpost from Agnitum. Very powerful, not as
heavy of a drain on system resources as some, good reporting, and some valuable
add-ons that help to improve your overall security. I use the Pro version. |
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Agnitum |
There is an excellent free version. However, if you are serious about
your protection, purchase the pro version. |
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Sygate |
Very powerful system. Somewhat more difficult to control than Agnitum.
Has a good free and a pro version. |
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Zonealarm |
One of the leading founders of this class of application. Both pro and
free versions are good. I feel that the pro version bogs down your
system with extra things that it does, and in it's most secure modes makes
your system unusable. The free version does not have enough control. |
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| Anti-spam
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| Anti-spyware. There is not currently a single
tool that helps with spyware. The following list is a variety of tools.
I use all of these tools on a regular basis.is a combination of tools that will
help. Ad-aware is a good, general purpose scanning tool. Spybot is
the best single scanning tool. I use both tools to periodically scan my
system.
Spywareblaster is a different type of tool - it places addresses of web
sites that serve the nasty spyware on a black list that prevents your
browser from accessing in the first place.
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Adaware |
Excellent adware scanner. Run this scanner once every week or so.
There is a paid and a free version. |
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HijackThis |
Very powerful tool. Find everything that might be running through your browser.
Can correct. However, it is very easy to correct the wrong thing,
breaking your system. You really need to be careful. |
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PrevX |
Interesting new concept - similar to some anti-spam tools. One votes on
whether an intrusion is an attack or not. Works with a fairly advanced
heuristic system to determine whether something is a adware, trojans, worms,
etc. |
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Spybot |
The best adware scanner. Run this scanner once every week. When
installing, select that you want to include 'tea timer'. This small
tool tray application will help to prevent spyware by monitoring changes to
This is a free tool. |
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Spywareblaster |
Prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers,
dialers, and other potentially unwanted pests. |
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SpywareGuard |
An anti-virus program scans files before you open them and prevents execution
if a virus is detected - SpywareGuard does the same thing, but for spyware!
And you can easily have an anti-virus program running alongside SpywareGuard. |
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X-Ray PC |
Attempt to do what HijackThis - but driven by a database of suggestions.
So far, a little weak, but a good idea. |
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| Anti-virus. My
current favorite anti-virus tool is Nod32 from Eset. |
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Nod32 |
Nod32 is fast and effective. Eset keeps their virus signature files up to
date (may update multiple times per day) and provides for simple, automated
updates. Scanning is the fastest that I have seen for anything.
Has a heuristic test that seems to work (actually detected a virus in an
email attachment before the virus signature file was updated). Price
is reasonable. |
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Kaspersky |
Powerful, full package. Much more depth than most packages. |
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AVG |
Not only is the anti-virus solution good, but it is FREE for home users!
If you can, purchase Nod32 or Kaspersky. However, if your solution
must not add to your costs, avg does a good job. |
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