Summary of CNet's 2010 Security Toolkit

The CNet Security Toolkit recommendations are in, and I have summarized their article for you. These software types are what you must have on your Windows computers, and you must update them and run scans regularly. The software below is rated as good by CNET.

The full CNET article is here. I trust their reviews. Read more for yourself, or go to the download links I have for you. However you find this software, install it and learn how to use it! Protect yourself from malware (read here to learn more about malware)

Do not think that Macs are all automatically safe and you don't need to protect yourself. That is not completely true. Hackers write for Windows because it is easier to code and there is more bang for their malicious buck. But never fear, one day they will start writing for Macs. Be careful no matter what computer you use!

Anti-Virus
(You can only one anti-virus application, they don't like to share their sandbox)

• (Windows) Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus (Avast requires registration and then they will give you a product key to activate their software. They will make you do this once a year, but there is no charge to do this.)
• (Windows and Mac) Facutly, staff and students can receive our McAfee Enterprise free. It is available when you are on our campus network with your computer. You can download it from http://nac.stkate.edu, or come to the Help Desk with your flash drive or laptop and we can copy it there for you to install at home. (Obviously, this last for McAfee did not come from CNet ;-)

Anti-Malware
(You can and should have multiple anti-malware programs)

• (Windows) Malwarebytes (Free to upgrade, scan and remove threats. Small fee if you want auto-updates and scanning)
  
• (Windows) ThreatFire (Threatfire is freeware from the makers of Spyware Doctor. They will try to coerce you to download their pay version. You do not need to do this! If you are going to purchase software Malwarebytes has a great reputation.)
  

In-browser security (all are for Windows and Mac)
(helps to stops malware at the source)

• Web of Trust (for Firefox and IE)
• Adblock Plus (Firefox)
• McAfee SiteAdvisor (Firefox, Internet Explorer)
  

(Bonus from Help Desk, not CNet)

(a favorite of mine - if you have a lot of favorites or bookmarks, you need this!)

• xmarks - This is a favorite of mine - if you have a lot of favorites or bookmarks, you need this! Synchronize your bookmarks on different computers, and access them online if you are somewhere else. They are also then backed up. 
• dropbox - Online storage (called Cloud Computing). Get 2 GB free online storage that can be synced to your multiple computers or just accessed online. You can purchase extra storage if you care to. 

If you have any questions please fee free to call the Help Desk. We are always happy to teach you to be safe online!