The Kaspersky PURE interface isn't very slick, but it is easy-to-use and very accessible. It's divided into 7 areas. My Computer Protection (the antivirus), My Backup and My Parental Control make up the main three, with My System Tune-Up, My Encryption, My Virtual Keyboard and My Password Manager bringing up the rear.

There is an awful lot to Kaspersky PURE, but all of it is well-explained and simple to figure out. Almost all of the features have a wizard, and there are two levels of control available, one for people who would prefer minimal interaction and another for those who want more control.

The Kaspersky PURE settings menu is ample and has some great features that make using the program a pleasure. The best of them include a gaming mode, folder encryption and some of the most comprehensive parental control elements I have ever seen.

Unfortunately, there is a price to pay for this excellence. Kaspersky PURE is extremely resource-hungry, and will all but paralyze a less powerful computer. The installation process is long and drawn-out, and the scans take a very long time. Ultimately, prospective users will need to take a long look at Kaspersky PURE before deciding if their computer - and patience - has what it takes to make the most of an excellent security program.

Kaspersky PURE is an impressive program, but recommended only for users with high spec machines.

Download Kaspersky PURE 9.0.0.194 in Softonic

avast! Free Antivirus 7 Beta is a promising first beta version of the upcoming avast! 7. Though it shouldn’t be used as your main antivirus, it lets you take a sneak peek at all the new features.

Download avast! Free Antivirus 7.0 Beta in Softonic

Why use Sandboxie?

Malicious programs and viruses usually work by trying to make changes to your computer that serve the hacker's ends, but not yours. Sandboxie is a sandbox app - in other words, a program that acts as a safe zone where you can try out programs, apps and links that you suspect of being dangerous. It prevents any changes being made to your computer by containing the program - and any viruses it may harbor - within the confines of the app, and doesn't let them loose on your PC.

Thanks to the closed testing environment created by Sandboxie, you can freely try programs that you don't trust, without any immediate risk to your system. All files created in your sandbox remain inside it and are deleted when you close it, though the program has a special feature ('Quick Recovery') to recover them.

Not an antivirus

Sandboxie also features an extensive settings menu and is thoroughly documented, including a tutorial to get you started. While you are using Sandboxie, however, you should be aware though that this is no replacement for a standard antivirus app. Sandboxie's more of a tool for advanced users who want to assess specific programs in a safe environment and doesn't work as a general way of keeping your computer safe.

Sandboxie is a handy tool to test untrustworthy software without putting your system in danger.

Download Sandboxie 3.64 in Softonic

Panda Cloud Antivirus is a highly popular program that is based in cloud computing. This beta release gets users one step closer to the anticipated official 2.0 release and also incorporates a great new feature, as well as trusted and true ones users have already been making use of.

The big addition to Panda Cloud Antivirus & Firewall is the incorporation of a fully functional firewall, complete with application and system rules. This can be found in a tab on the main graphical user interface (GUI).

This new firewall is quite comprehensive and usable. It automatically assigns inbound and outbound communication privileges to processes, as Panda Cloud Antivirus & Firewall offers a community-based firewall. When certain outbound connection processes are considered risky, users will be prompted to choose whether they would like to allow or block the communication. The same goes for inbound connections, in even a stricter sense.

On top of the new firewall feature, Panda Cloud Antivirus & Firewall still has the features users already know and love, including the malware detection feature. The program is lightweight and is very effective at finding and eliminating threats to your PC's health.

Panda Cloud Antivirus & Firewall's interface hasn't changed at all from the official version of Panda Antivirus, making it familiar and easy to navigate for users already familiar with it. Panda Cloud Antivirus & Firewall's interface has large, easy to locate buttons for on-demand analysis, statistics, quarantine and trash, as well as security status.

Panda Cloud Antivirus & Firewall's beta version give users a sneak peak at the upcoming 2.0 version of the popular antivirus program, along with a great added firewall feature.

Download Panda Cloud Antivirus & Firewall 1.9.1 Free Beta in Softonic

Download Password Recovery Toolbox for Outlook 1.1.16.39 in Softonic

The information is encrypted using 448-bit blowfish algorithm and a master password is required to unlock the information in the database. This means that only you can access secret information such as passwords, credit card details, PIN numbers and any sensitive documents you have.

Unlike other password managers that write configuration information to the Windows registry, KeyPass stores everything in the encrypted database so that it can be run without prior installation. This allows you to carry all your sensitive information with you wherever you go. Simply plug the device into any PC and immediately access all your information and passwords.

Download KeyPass 4.9.15 in Softonic

The Malwarebytes Anti-Malware definitions are constantly updated, so you'll always be fully protected. Updates may slow down your PC momentarily, but it's obviously worth it to keep up to date. You can also allow updates to happen automatically, leaving you free to get on with other tasks.

What Malwarebytes Anti-Malware does

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware doesn’t offer real-time protection, but you can scan your machine whenever you like. There are two scan settings with the free version – Full and Quick. If Malwarebytes detects an infection, it will alert you and you can decide what action needs to be taken – or let it make the decision itself. There’s also an Ignore list feature, so the program will know which files, if any, to skip over. The program also blocks known risky websites.

How does the program perform?

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a very solid product. It includes some useful extras, such as context menu integration, and a locked file deletion tool called FileASSASSIN (as demoed in the video above). Even so, you do have to remember to run it if you fear an infection - if you want realtime protection, you’ll need to pay for a Malwarebytes Anti-Malware license.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a powerful, quick malware scanner that’s perfect for the casual – but savvy – user.

Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.0.1800 in Softonic

If you are security conscious and want to make sure that files you delete stay deleted and cannot be found again Hardwipe is for you.. This can give you piece of mind if you are selling or throwing out an old computer, meaning no one can search and old drive for personal data or files.

There are three main functions in Hardwipe. You can wipe specific files, wipe a whole drive, or clean your free hard drive space. You can choose high or low priority, which will use more or less system resources, and choose which type of data wiping you want. The selection of data wiping algorithms is pretty much the same you'll see in any app like this. You can perform a simple data-randomizing wipe all the way up to a 35-pass deletion, which is extremely secure.

Hardwipe does what it claims, and is easy to use. If your PC is shared and the normal log in has Administrator rights, be aware that Hardwipe can do some major damage if used maliciously or carelessly. We'd recommend only installing Hardwipe on an account that requires and Administrator log in! This secure data deletion program is not a cleaning app - for basic PC spring cleaning we'd recommend CCleaner.

Download Hardwipe 1.5.0 in Softonic

This simple tool enables you to create brand new passwords randomly, just by selecting the character map and the number of characters you want to use.
Random Labs uses diverse techniques but unfortunately it doesn't state the differences among them. What's more, you even have to register to use one of them.

Besides creating new passwords, the program also enables you to generate random lotto number combinations. In all, it's not the best password generator out there but at least is better than using your dog's name.

Download Random Labs 2.0 in Softonic