Elknet Recommended PC Downloads

Adware is known by many names --spyware, trackware, malware or even Big Brotherware. While producers of adware claim its purpose is merely to collect information about Internet habits in order to deliver ads tailored to a surfer's interests, privacy advocates are concerned about the potential misuse of this data. Where does it come from? Most likely it was installed alongside that free software widget that you downloaded just last week, without you even noticing.

Ad-Aware identifies and removes these surreptitiously installed applications. Using updateable "reflists," which are sort of like antivirus DAT files, Ad-aware scours your system--including Registry and temporary Internet files--and looks for traces of recognized adware modules. When it's finished searching, it displays a list of what it found and lets you select the items you'd like to remove from your system. And when coupled with its companion program, RefUpdate, you're always assured of using the most comprehensive list of adware to search for. The main drawback is that some ad-supported programs, such as GoZilla Free, will no longer function if you remove their ad modules. If privacy is your main concern, Ad-aware will help keep you anonymous on the Web.

AVG Antivirus FREE Edition offerings maximum virus protection, product customization and most importantly free virus database updates. Although this is a free anti-virus program it is one of the best. It offers automatic updating and scanning of e-mail BEFORE you read it, all automatically.

CW Shredder helps to keep up with the prolific variations of the CoolWebSearch hijack. If you've been infected, it may seem near impossible to fix due to these complex variants. There is an internal updater in the program that can check for and provide the most current version, as well. Cool Web Search is a very difficult program to remove without CW Shredder.

Firefox (formerly Firebird, Phoenix) is the light-weight version of the Mozilla browser. Designed for speed in loading and page rendering, it only includes the web-browser aspects of Mozilla. Although still in the early development stages, Firebird is a must have for the advanced computer user.

HijackThis, a general homepage hijackers detector and remover. Initially based on the article Hijacked!, but expanded with almost a dozen other checks against hijacker tricks. It is continually updated to detect and remove new hijacks. It does not target specific programs/URLs, just the methods used by hijackers to force you onto their sites. As a result, false positives are imminent and unless you are sure what you're doing, you should always consult with knowledgable folks (e.g. the forums) before deleting anything.

HijackThis is Recommended for Advanced Computer Users.

Spybot - Search & Destroy can detect and remove a multitude of adware files and modules from your computer. Spybot can also clean program and Web usage tracks from your system, which is especially useful if you share your computer with other users. Modules chosen for removal can be sent directly to the included file shredder, ensuring complete elimination from your system. And for advanced users, it allows you to fix Registry inconsistencies related to adware or malicious program installations. The handy online update feature ensures that Spybot always has the most current and complete listing of adware, dialers, and other uninvited system residents.

SpySites includes a database of over 1,500 known Spy/Sleaze sites and guides you through the simple process of including them in Internet Explorer's Restricted Zone and setting policies to prevent them from performing intrusive acts on your PC. By setting the policies for the Restricted sites zone to a very high level of security, you can be assured that any web sites added to the Restricted sites zone cannot do certain things which could compromise your privacy and security such as installing and/or running: ActiveX controls; Java applets; JavaScript; Cookies; Trojans; Download and installation of Desktop items; Use of eddre as anonymous FTP password; Hijacking your Home page and/or Search page; Installing their 'Sleazeware' without your knowledge.

Internet Explorer's Restricted Zone can be extremely effective blocking these actions but Microsoft's Help file doesn't explain exactly how it works, what it does or how to use it. By using SpySites to set policies you will prevent sites from intruding on your privacy and possibly taking over your PC. Those annoying popups may still appear but their ability to set Cookies or perform other actions on your Computer will be blocked.

This program requires the Visual Basic 6 Runtime Engine to work. Visual Basic 6 is included in Windows2000 and WindowsXP, it may exist on other windows versions when installed with other software. Otherwise you can Download Visual Basic 6 Runtime Engine for free.

This File is in the compressed Zip format. WindowsME, Windows2000 and WindowsXP can read these files just fine otherwise you will need a program to uncompress it. 7 Zip is a good unzipping program.

Unlike spyware and adware removers, this program helps you block these problems before they get a chance to end up on your computer. SpywareBlaster can help keep your system spyware-free and secure, without interfering with the "good side" of the web. And unlike other programs, SpywareBlaster does not have to remain running in the background.

This File is in the compressed Zip format. WindowsME, Windows2000 and WindowsXP can read these files just fine otherwise you will need a program to uncompress it. 7 Zip is a good unzipping program.

Thunderbird is Mozilla's next generation e-mail client. Thunderbird makes emailing safer, faster and easier than ever before with the industry's best implementations of features such as intelligent spam filters, a built-in spell checker, extension support, and much more.

Windows Defender is a free program that helps you stay productive by protecting your computer against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software.

XCleaner is a privacy tool suite that detects and removes installed spyware and adware components and includes tools to securely delete files, edit the registry, disable startup programs and more. Additional features include IE home page protection, cookie, cache and history cleaning, built-in password generator and more. This free version also contains some additional feature options, however they are disabled and require upgrade to a full version. The spyware and adware scanning as well as many cleaning features however can be used freely.