by Mikel Alexander, Nov 18, 2007
Protecting your privacy is very important, here's a few easy ways to do just that.
Identity theft has impacted nearly 8.4 million US adults in 2007. It is also estimated that 750,000 laptops were stolen last year alone. Your data can be stolen in a number of ways, from phishing scams, trojan programs, spyware, stolen hardware, to unsecured internet traffic. With these alarming numbers the least you can do is try keeping your computer use safe and private. The resources listed here are some of the best free programs and services available.
Bug Me Not
Bugmenot.com alleviates the need for pointless registrations to sites that only wish to collect your data. You can search bugmenot.com for login information on thousands of sites. Any application that can save you from putting your info out there is a good one in my book. They have even developed an extension for Firefox.
PeerGuardian 2
PeerGuardian 2 is Phoenix Labs' premier IP blocker for Windows. PeerGuardian monitors your internet traffic and stops your [COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]computer[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] from establishing connections with unwanted computer systems. You can create your own “block” list or choose list to block that include P2P, spyware, or [COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]government [/FONT][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]systems[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR]. The list can be configured to update daily. PeerGuardian's features make it the safest and easiest way to [COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]protect [/FONT][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]your [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]privacy[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] on P2P networks.
McAfee SiteAdvisor
McAfee SiteAdvisor warns you before you interact with a dangerous Web site. Traditional security products focus on trying to clean up problems after they occur.
It also complements and enhances your existing [COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]security [/FONT][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]software[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] by detecting threats which traditional security products often miss, including spyware attacks, online scams, and sites that spam you.
File Shredder 2
File Shredder deletes the unwanted files on your computer past the point of recovery. The Windows delete function merely removes bits from the file that allow the OS to see those files and allow it to overwrite them when needed. Until they are actually overwritten those files remain on your computer ready to be found.
ProxyWay anonymous surfing 2.6
This is a free web proxy server agent which you use together with web applications such as web browsers, Instant Messengersand Internet Relay Chat (IRC), etc.) to ensure your anonymity.
TrueCrypt 4.3
Truecrypt is one of my favorite programs. It allows you to create an encrypted volume that can be stored on your HDD or USB drive. The volume can be mounted and files dragged into the volume are encrypted on the fly. If you store any kind of financial or personal information on your computer you should have it stored in a TrueCrypt volume.
SpyBot
Spybot has been trusted by home users and professionals alike for many years. It has features that will immunize your computer from known spyware programs and trojans. It will also scan for current infections and work o correct any infections it finds.
KeePass Password Safe
KeePass is a free/open-source password manager or safe which helps you to manage your passwords in a [COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]secure[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] way. You can put all your passwords in one database, which is locked with one master key or a key-disk. So you only have to remember one single master password or insert the key-disk to unlock the whole [COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]database[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR]. The databases are encrypted using the best and most secure encryption algorithms currently known (AES and Twofish).
Ccleaner
This program has made a few of my different list. Its just so darn handy. Ccleaner is a freeware optimization and privacy tool. It is lightweight and a great tool for cleaning up all those unused temp files. It also features a great registry cleaning tool. The one thing I live about this tool is that it's such a small install, and its super fast.
ZoneAlarm Firewall
ZoneAlarm Firewall is a free firewall application and one of the most reliable [COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]firewalls[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] for your DSL or cable connected computer. It controls all traffic to and from your computer, alerting you when an unknown or untrusted application is trying to connect to an outside source.
Adaware free
With the ability to scan your RAM, Registry, hard drives, and external storage devices for known data-mining, advertising, and tracking components, Ad-Aware 2007 easily can clean your system, allowing you to maintain a higher degree of privacy while you surf the Web.
Mailinator
When you just have to sign up for a website and you don't want to use or abuse your real email address Mailinator comes to your rescue. No sign-up, free to use, Mailinator allows you to obtain a temporary email address and even check it for the confirmations that come in after you sign up.
I hope this list helps you keep your most private information safe. If you like this list you can also check out “10 Free Tools Every IT Pro Needs”
Protecting your privacy is very important, here's a few easy ways to do just that.
Identity theft has impacted nearly 8.4 million US adults in 2007. It is also estimated that 750,000 laptops were stolen last year alone. Your data can be stolen in a number of ways, from phishing scams, trojan programs, spyware, stolen hardware, to unsecured internet traffic. With these alarming numbers the least you can do is try keeping your computer use safe and private. The resources listed here are some of the best free programs and services available.
Bug Me Not
Bugmenot.com alleviates the need for pointless registrations to sites that only wish to collect your data. You can search bugmenot.com for login information on thousands of sites. Any application that can save you from putting your info out there is a good one in my book. They have even developed an extension for Firefox.
PeerGuardian 2
PeerGuardian 2 is Phoenix Labs' premier IP blocker for Windows. PeerGuardian monitors your internet traffic and stops your [COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]computer[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] from establishing connections with unwanted computer systems. You can create your own “block” list or choose list to block that include P2P, spyware, or [COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]government [/FONT][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]systems[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR]. The list can be configured to update daily. PeerGuardian's features make it the safest and easiest way to [COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]protect [/FONT][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]your [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]privacy[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] on P2P networks.
McAfee SiteAdvisor
McAfee SiteAdvisor warns you before you interact with a dangerous Web site. Traditional security products focus on trying to clean up problems after they occur.
It also complements and enhances your existing [COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]security [/FONT][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]software[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] by detecting threats which traditional security products often miss, including spyware attacks, online scams, and sites that spam you.
File Shredder 2
File Shredder deletes the unwanted files on your computer past the point of recovery. The Windows delete function merely removes bits from the file that allow the OS to see those files and allow it to overwrite them when needed. Until they are actually overwritten those files remain on your computer ready to be found.
ProxyWay anonymous surfing 2.6
This is a free web proxy server agent which you use together with web applications such as web browsers, Instant Messengersand Internet Relay Chat (IRC), etc.) to ensure your anonymity.
TrueCrypt 4.3
Truecrypt is one of my favorite programs. It allows you to create an encrypted volume that can be stored on your HDD or USB drive. The volume can be mounted and files dragged into the volume are encrypted on the fly. If you store any kind of financial or personal information on your computer you should have it stored in a TrueCrypt volume.
SpyBot
Spybot has been trusted by home users and professionals alike for many years. It has features that will immunize your computer from known spyware programs and trojans. It will also scan for current infections and work o correct any infections it finds.
KeePass Password Safe
KeePass is a free/open-source password manager or safe which helps you to manage your passwords in a [COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]secure[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] way. You can put all your passwords in one database, which is locked with one master key or a key-disk. So you only have to remember one single master password or insert the key-disk to unlock the whole [COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]database[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR]. The databases are encrypted using the best and most secure encryption algorithms currently known (AES and Twofish).
Ccleaner
This program has made a few of my different list. Its just so darn handy. Ccleaner is a freeware optimization and privacy tool. It is lightweight and a great tool for cleaning up all those unused temp files. It also features a great registry cleaning tool. The one thing I live about this tool is that it's such a small install, and its super fast.
ZoneAlarm Firewall
ZoneAlarm Firewall is a free firewall application and one of the most reliable [COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][COLOR=#D4FF00 ! important][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]firewalls[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] for your DSL or cable connected computer. It controls all traffic to and from your computer, alerting you when an unknown or untrusted application is trying to connect to an outside source.
Adaware free
With the ability to scan your RAM, Registry, hard drives, and external storage devices for known data-mining, advertising, and tracking components, Ad-Aware 2007 easily can clean your system, allowing you to maintain a higher degree of privacy while you surf the Web.
Mailinator
When you just have to sign up for a website and you don't want to use or abuse your real email address Mailinator comes to your rescue. No sign-up, free to use, Mailinator allows you to obtain a temporary email address and even check it for the confirmations that come in after you sign up.
I hope this list helps you keep your most private information safe. If you like this list you can also check out “10 Free Tools Every IT Pro Needs”
