Norton has been always considered to be a synonym of security. Some of their products have been in the market for years and are used by millions of computer users around the world on a daily basis. And Norton Internet Security is one of them.

This complete security suite has just released its latest version, with a noticeably better performance that makes the program run faster and an improved behavior, thanks to which you can just work with the computer or browse the web without being interrupted every now and then.

The suite includes antivirus and antispyware tools, along with two new features which I personally find very interesting: a network security monitor and an identity protection tool. The first one is especially good for wireless connections, as it enables you to prevent unauthorized accesses, while the second one protects you from phishing attacks by displaying an unattractive toolbar in your web browser.

On the downside, I found out that this program is really meant to be permanently running, as there's no option to switch it off. I know I'm not supposed to do that, but in any case there should be an easy, accessible way to temporarily turn protection off. Also, I didn't like the fact that this Norton comes bundled with the Yahoo! toolbar, although you can decline this offer during installation.

Download Norton Internet Security 2008 in Softonic

Kaspersky® Internet Security 7.0 provides you with the same proven anti-virus protection as Kaspersky Anti-Virus together with additional features including Parental Control, a personal firewall, an anti-spam filter, Privacy Control and more.

Product Highlights

• Integrated protection from all Internet threats
• Integrated antivirus protection: 1) Hourly automated database updates, 2) Preliminary behavior analysis, 3) On-going behavior analysis. New!
• Real-time scanning for email, Internet traffic and files
• Personal firewall with an IDS / IPS system. Improved!
• Protection from leaks of confidential data. New!
• Parental Control. New!
• Protection from spam and phishing
• Automatic database updates

Additional Features

• Protection from viruses, Trojans and worms
• Protection from spyware and adware
• Protection from all types of keyloggers. Improved!
• Detection of all types of rootkits. Improved!
• Protection from viruses when using ICQ and other IM clients
• Rollback of malicious changes on your PC
• Self-defense of the antivirus program from being disabled or stopped
• Tools for creating a Rescue Disk
• Free technical support

Download Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 8.0.0.357 in Softonic

Cain & Abel is a password recovery tool for Microsoft Operating Systems. It allows easy recovery of various kind of passwords by sniffing the network, cracking encrypted passwords using Dictionary, Brute-Force and Cryptanalysis attacks, recording VoIP conversations, decoding scrambled passwords, revealing password boxes, uncovering cached passwords and analyzing routing protocols.

The program does not exploit any software vulnerabilities or bugs that could not be fixed with little effort. It covers some security aspects/weakness present in protocol's standards, authentication methods and caching mechanisms; its main purpose is the simplified recovery of passwords and credentials from various sources, however it also ships some "non standard" utilities for Microsoft Windows users.

Cain & Abel has been developed in the hope that it will be useful for network administrators, teachers, security consultants/professionals, forensic staff, security software vendors, professional penetration tester and everyone else that plans to use it for ethical reasons. The author will not help or support any illegal activity done with this program. Be warned that there is the possibility that you will cause damages and/or loss of data using this software and that in no events shall the author be liable for such damages or loss of data. Please carefully read the License Agreement included in the program before using it.

Download Cain & Abel 4.9.8 in Softonic

Norton 360 is a comprehensive, automated protection with proven PC Security & PC tuneup technologies plus new anti phishing and automated backup. From your wireless connection to exchanging documents or shopping online, Norton 360 will make your web habits safer. It offers the following advanced features:

• PC security defends you against a broad range of threats
• Transaction security safeguards you against online identity theft
• Automatic backup and restore protects your important files from loss
• PC tuneup keeps your PC running at peak performance
• Embedded support components diagnose problems and help you quickly resolve common issues
• Includes free support via email and live chat
• Includes 2GB of online storage for photos, music, contacts, & financial documents (option to purchase additional storage)
• Includes protection updates and new product features as available throughout the renewable service period

Download Norton 360 1.0.0.184 in Softonic

When it comes to crushing the evils of spyware and adware, AdAware is the undisputed king of the castle, and many people don’t even bother considering an alternative such is its popularity. However, there are a few genuine pretenders to AdAware’s crown, including the rather smart AVG Anti-Spyware.

Let’s start with a little dig at the developer’s slightly misleading branding of the product – AVG Anti-Spyware is not, in fact, a complete security suite because it doesn’t support detection of viruses and worms. It does though, do a sterling job at trawling your files for spyware and Trojans, and used in conjunction with a decent anti-virus app and a firewall you transform your PC into a fortress.

AVG Anti-Spyware boasts an incredibly simple interface and manages to cram a bevy of features into a single interface while still making everything look crystal clear. These options include a series of innovations not seen in other anti-spyware products, such as the ability to download test bugs, send infected files to the developer for testing, view and remove start-up apps with ease, and view reports of previously-saved scans. What’s more, it can automatically update the software online to obtain the latest spyware definitions.

When matched up against the might of AdAware, AVG Anti-Spyware performs admirably. Performing a full system scan with AVG Anti-Spyware is actually slightly quicker than its more popular rival, and the program managed to intercept several dubious files that AdAware missed. Having said this, when run the other way around, our tests showed that AdAware spotted dozens more than this that were ignored by AVG Anti-Spyware. Nevertheless, its ease-of-use, speed, and unique bug-bashing features make AVG Anti-Spyware a worthy alternative.

Download AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5.1.43 in Softonic

rotects your confidential information. Keeps hackers out. Prevents theft of bank details. Keeps PCs free from viruses and spyware.Blocks spam. Protects your children on the Internet.

Enjoy truly global security with the new Panda Internet Security 2008. All your computer activity will be fully protected against identity theft and you can forget about viruses, spyware, hackers, spam, online fraud and other Internet threats. You'll also be able to make automated backup copies of your most important documents and optimize the performance of your computer.

Key features:

In-Depth online scanning

• Deep scanning of your PC with TotalScan Pro..

• The exclusive technologies in Panda TotalScan Pro allow periodic in-depth scanning to detect and delete the most sophisticated threats that can slip past traditional protection. Always protected against the most sophisticated threats!

Automated backup system

• Safeguard your files against accidental loss or damage.

• No doubt at some time or other you have lost important documents that were saved on your PC, either through unintentionally deleting them or due to hard disk problems or other accidents. With Panda Internet Security 2008 you can now make simple automatic backup copies that will let you restore these files whenever you need. You can also select the files that you want to save and make backup copies either on hard disk, CD, DVD or other external drive. Back up your files quickly and easily!

Optimized PC performance system

• Panda Tuneup: helps optimize operating system performance.

• Sometimes your computer may operate erratically or slow down for no apparent reason. In these cases, the first thing to do is to use the system's optimization and maintenance tools. Panda Internet Security 2008 helps you access these utilities directly. First it cleans out all unnecessary components (removing cookies, temporary files, items in the recycle bin, etc.) and then defragments the disk to optimize performance. Keep your computer in top shape!

Now 12 months' free online backup

• With up to 1 GB of storage space on a secure online server.

• The ability to access your most important documents securely from any computer offers numerous advantages. Panda Internet Security 2008 lets you make backup copies -quickly and simply- on a secure Internet server, with up to 1 GB of storage space for 12 months. Safeguard your information online!

Latest generation antivirus

• Automatically detects and eliminates all types of viruses.

• If content is missing from your hard disk, if you have problems starting your computer, or if some of your files are unusable, you can be sure you've been hit by a computer virus. You can be infected just by surfing the Net, downloading a file, or opening an email attachment. There are also the dangers of worms and Trojans which now use new stealth techniques to evade detection.

• With Panda Internet Security 2008 you can use the Internet and download or share files in the knowledge that you are fully protected against all types of viruses, worms and Trojans. Forget about infections!

Powerful AntiSpyware

• Keeps your PC free from spyware.

• Computer slowdowns, annoying and aggressive pop-up ads, sudden changes to your system settings... these are just some of the effects that spyware can have on your PC. The real danger however is that these threats can steal information about your Internet activity and then use it without your knowledge.

• Panda Internet Security 2008 automatically detects and removes spyware and other annoying programs. Safeguard your privacy!

Panda Identity Protect

• Secures your personal data.

• Whenever you shop or bank online, you have to provide data to verify your identity, such as your account number, credit card number or other ID. This information is sensitive and needs to be protected. The new Panda Internet Security 2008, through the Identity Protect feature, lets you know at any time when this type of data is about to be sent out of the computer so you are in control at all times. Don't let anyone access your data without your permission!

Personal bi-directional firewall

• Blocks hackers and intruders.

• When you connect to the Internet, many programs try to access your PC. Some of them are not dangerous, such as those that let you update applications you have installed, but others will try to exploit your connection or control your computer.

• Panda Internet Security 2008 includes a configurable personal firewall to stop intruders and hackers from accessing your PC. Turn your computer into a fortress!

• AntiPhishing

Protects against online fraud

• Certain emails are designed to trick you into revealing your confidential bank details. They may appear to have been sent from your bank, but they have not. Falling into the trap can be costly: it could give the phishers complete access to your accounts. Panda Internet Security 2008 can identify these fraudulent emails, and prevent you from revealing your bank details, account numbers or other confidential information.

• Panda Internet Security 2008 will keep you safe from these dangerous scams. Bank and shop online with complete peace of mind!

TruPrevent Technologies

• Double protection

• Some new threats are able to spread globally in just a few hours. In this time, your PC could be unprotected as your antivirus will not have had time to update. The TruPrevent Technologies included in Panda Internet Security 2008 detect and block these unknown threats, intelligently scanning program behavior. This means your PC will have the reinforced protection it needs. Stay one step ahead of unknown threats!

AntiRootkit

• Detects threats that try to hide on your PC.

• Rootkits can be used to hide threats and prevent them from being detected by security solutions. These threats can then act with impunity on your system. With Panda Internet Security 2008 you won't have any problem, as its reinforced protection system can detect threats that use this stealth technique. Protect yourself from hidden threats!

AntiSpam

• Automatic blocking of junk mail.

• No doubt you often receive emails from unknown or dubious senders. This avalanche of spam is time-wasting and can make it difficult to find the emails you really need to read. The reinforced anti-spam technology in Panda Internet Security 2008 automatically filters junk mail, keeping your inbox free from spam. Rid yourself of the avalanche of junk mail!

Parental control

• Restricts access to inappropriate websites.

• If you're worried about your children accessing violent, pornographic or racist content, or that your employees are wasting valuable time visiting non-work related websites, Panda Internet Security 2008 has the solution. Its content control feature can let you decide what type of web pages each user of a computer can view, with a range of custom filters (child, adolescent, employee…) You decide how the Internet should be used!

Download Panda Internet Security 2008 in Softonic

Windows Live OneCare helps protect your computer, and its automated optimization features keep your PC running at its speediest. OneCare even regularly backs up your important files. You get all this in one convenient package:

• Protection Plus, with its antivirus and antispyware scanners and managed, two-way firewall, helps protect your computer from viruses, worms, Trojan horses, hackers, phishing, and other threats. It runs continuously in the background, but you can scan individual files and folders for viruses on demand simply by right-clicking them. You can even scan attachments you receive via Windows Live Messenger or MSN Messenger.

• Performance Plus regularly defragments your hard disk, removes any unnecessary files that can clog your PC, and helps make sure important security updates from Microsoft are installed efficiently and on time.

• Backup and Restore regularly copies your important files and settings to CD, DVD, or external hard disk.

• Instant Support provides online help anytime you need it, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Download Windows Live OneCare 2.0.2500.12 in Softonic

RogueRemover is a utility that can remove various rogue antispyware, antivirus and hard drive cleaning utilities. Rogue applications are applications that rather than remove spyware, provide false positives, distribute malware or spyware, advertise, or provide useless uninstallers. The main point is that rogue applications are useless and eat up system resources.

RogueRemover has the ability to completely remove WinAntiSpyware/WinAntiVirus, SpyAxe, VirusBlast, VirusBursters and many more!

Simply download RogueRemover from the link below. Unzip to a convenient location such as C:\RogueRemover. Navigate to the folder you unzipped the files to and double click on the file named RogueRemover.exe. Finally, select Scan and the program will walk you through the remaining steps.

Download RogueRemover 1.20 in Softonic

This suite of free tools comes in the form of an Internet Explorer add-on and includes a mix of powerful security ehancements and features to make browsing a little more convenient.

There are thirteen utilities bundled into Foxie, which range from a spyware scanner to the ability to use tabbed browsing in Internet Explorer. The selection available seems a little strange given that some of the tools seem quite unrelated, but the idea is to cover everything, removing the need for users to install a multitude of software for each aspect of their online experience.

Tabbed browsing in Internet Explorer is a much-needed feature and will finally make browsing a bit easier, although it does reduce the viewing area of the browser. If you have multiple toolbars you may want to consider how much more room you can afford to sacrifice. Foxie also adds in an ASK Jeeves search bar, a drop-down shortcuts menu that lists sites according to those you most frequently visit, and a desktop search option, all very handy functions if you don’t already use something similar.

The spyware scanner is very quick and powerful, as is the disk cleaner, and "The Infinity Button" will appeal to any fans of The Hitchhikers Guide, as it predictably takes you to a random pages in cyberspace that you can then rate, send to friends or bookmark.

Foxie Suite tries to integrate the best features of Firefox into Microsoft Internet Explorer and in my opinion, succeeds to do so. Now you can have tabbed-browsing while still using the worlds most popular browser.

Download Foxie Privacy, Security & Productivity Suite 1.1.2 in Softonic

UnHackMe is specially designed to detect and remove Rootkits. The intruder installs a rootkit on a computer using a user action or by exploiting a known vulnerability or cracking a password. The rootkit installs a backdoor giving the hacker a full control of the computer. It hides their files, registry keys, and process names, and network connections from your eyes.

Your antivirus could not detect such programs because they use compression and encryption of its files. The sample software is Hacker Defender rootkit. UnHackMe allows you to detect and remove Rootkits.

Download UnHackMe 4.8 in Softonic

MJ Registry Watcher is a simple system tray program that monitors changes to any of the startup folders, startup registry keys, and any files you want alerting on. If a trojan attempts to change your startup settings, you will be alerted, and you can prevent any changes being made.

It is fully configurable as to what keys and files are monitored, so, if you have a vested interest in protecting your file association for the mailto protocol (your default emailer), so that your preferred app loads them, and something else is trying very hard to undermine this association (Outlook for example), this will popup, offering to stop a new association attempt, after Outlook had loaded, say. The key that stores this association is hkey_lmus\software\classes\mailto\shell\open\command, and you could protect other associations by changing "mailto" to the desired type, for example, "jpegfile".

Download MJ Registry Watcher 1.2.6.3 in Softonic

Do you ever wonder if the PCs in your house are truly safe? Would you like to know how well your PCs are protected against computer viruses, spyware, identify theft, network intrusions and other online security threats?

Introducing Active Security Monitor (ASM), a free diagnostic tool that continuously monitors your PC and Home Network giving you a consolidated view of your overall security. ASM determines a security score for your PC, and for all other PCs in your home network, by evaluating the status of all the major components needed for a robust system: Anti-Virus software, Anti-Spyware software, Firewall protection, Wireless Security, Operating System, Web Browser, Back up software and PC Optimization (ensures your PC is running at it's best).

ASM provides you with:

• A simple, clear display of the current security status of all the PCs in your home network.
• A security score, similar in concept to a credit score, that measures your exposure to viruses, identity theft and network intrusion.
• A recommended list of products, services and articles to help you resolve any security vulnerability found.
• Messages and alerts concerning your security software.

Download Active Security Monitor 1.0.0.231 Beta in Softonic

Dial-a-fix is a collection of known fixes gleaned from Microsoft Knowledgebase articles, Microsoft MVPs, and other important support forums, that will assist you in repairing problems with your system. Although this tool is ordinarily meant for power users, technicians, and administrators, it is quite safe to use even without technical guidance (although it is recommended). Simply choose the solutions you wish to apply via checkmarks, and click GO. There are other buttons and tools present on the main dialog as well, such as the policy scanner. All tools and checkmarks identify their purpose when you mouse over them.

Download Dial-a-fix 0.57.7 in Softonic

ZoneAlarm Security Suite is the easy-to-use, comprehensive security solution that is based on the world's best firewall to keep out hackers, viruses, worms, and other threats. It combines the most popular firewall with antivirus protection, web site filtering, privacy protection, and instant-messaging security to provide the best overall protection of any PC-security suite.Now stronger than ever, ZoneAlarm Security Suite 5.5 protects Internet users against hackers, spammers, viruses, spyware, worms, identity theft, and more.

ZoneAlarm Security Suite combines Zone Labs’ award-winning firewall with antivirus, privacy, instant messaging protection and other tools all in one easy-to-use package. New SPAM Blocker automatically stops unwanted e-mail from clogging your inbox while also protecting you from the latest “phisher” e-mails and other Internet fraud.

Download ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7.1.078.000 in Softonic

Sandboxie is an interesting alternative to traditional anti-virus/anti-spyware software. According to the developers, when you run a program on your computer, data flows from the hard disk to the program via read operations. The data is then processed and displayed, and finally flows back from the program to the hard disk via write operations. For example, if you run the Freecell program to play a game, it starts by reading the previously recorded statistics, displaying and altering them as you play the game, and finally writing them back to disk for future reference.

Sandboxie changes the rules such that write operations do not make it back to your hard disk. The key is the transient nature of the sandbox which makes it easy to get rid of everything in it. If you were to throw away the sandbox, by deleting everything in it, the sandboxed statistics would be gone for good, as if they had never been there in the first place. You maye in fact prefer to run your Web browser inside the sandbox most of the time. This way any incoming, unsolicited software (spyware, malware and the like) that you download, will be trapped in the sandbox. Changes made to your list of Favorites or Bookmarks, hijacking of your preferred start page, new and unwanted icons on your desktop - all these, and more, are trapped in and bound to the sandbox.

This is a very original solution to the perennial problems caused by adware, spyware and malware. However, it's dubious as to whether it can deal with the continual sophistication of such programs.

Download Sandboxie 3.30 in Softonic

With internet usage becoming ever more ubiquitous and PC use becoming increasingly mobile, privacy is an ever important issue.

This is an essential suite for anyone that uses the same password for multiple logins. The security consequences if anyone gains access your password can be sever but this suite minimises the chances of that ever happening. The same goes for confidential e-mails which can be easily intercepted and read. Steganos Privacy Suite works by protecting your most sensitive data by effectively encrypting your hard drive - including external devices. You can even turn your USB stick and iPod into a Portable Safe which can be opened on almost any computer. The beauty is that the program eliminates the need for passwords enabling you to open your safe with an iPod, USB stick ­or by clicking on a sequence of pictures. In addition, if your laptop gets lost or stolen, Steganos AntiTheft mechanism ensures that the thieves won't be able to do much with it. There's a Shredder that destroys sensitive data completely and an e-mail encryption tool so you can exchange business correspondence in peace of mind. In addition to all this, you can even hide encrypted data James Bond style in sounds or even pictures.

In summary, this a very powerful and comprehensive security suite ideal for those that do business or other private dealings on their PC.

Download Steganos Privacy Suite 2008 10 in Softonic

F-Secure BlackLight Rootkit Elimination Technology detects objects that are hidden from users and security tools and offers the user an option to remove them. The main purpose is to fight rootkits and all kinds of malware that use rootkits. The F-Secure BlackLight Rootkit Elimination Technology works by examining the system at a deep level. This enables BlackLight to detect objects that are hidden from the user and security software.

Key benefits of F-Secure BlackLight rootkit elimination technology:

• F-Secure BlackLight can detect and eliminate active rootkits from the computer
• F-Secure BlackLight does not confront the user with a long list of suspected objects
• F-Secure BlackLight Rootkit Elimination Technology can be used in the background

Download F-Secure BlackLight Rootkit Eliminator 2.2.1042 Beta in Softonic

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) 2.0 is an easy-to-use tool that helps small and medium businesses determine their security state in accordance with Microsoft security recommendations and offers specific remediation guidance. Improve your security management process by using MBSA to detect common security misconfigurations and missing security updates on your computer systems.

Built on the Windows Update Agent and Microsoft Update infrastructure, MBSA ensures consistency with other Microsoft management products including Microsoft Update (MU), Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Systems Management Server (SMS) and Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM).

Download Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 2.1 in Softonic

If your PC is connected to the Internet, you should protect your privacy like your grandmother protects her life savings. What with viruses, malware, Trojans and the like omnipresent on the web, and getting more vicious by the day, there is no way you can overlook the safety of your PC. That’s where My Privacy comes in.

What makes the application attractive is its accessibility. A cartoon-like interface, with large colourful icons depicts each of the options: web pages visited, cookies, private information, graphics and temporary files. Don’t worry about erasing the wrong files by mistake. Once you’ve carried out one of the security tasks, you will see a list of the corresponding files that My Privacy has found. Just click wipe to get rid of them for good. If you’re really lazy you can just click the “Analyze” and “Wipe” buttons at the bottom and My Privacy will take care of everything. You should consider carrying out these tasks daily if you use the Internet often.

How do you know that you’ve performed all the My Privacy tasks fully? Just check out the privacy level percentage at the top. It’s a mystery as to how this number is calculated and what it really means. Is it the amount of files My Privacy has erased? Is it the percentage of My Privacy tasks you’ve carried out? From our observations, we guessed it corresponded to the amount of files you erased out of all the ones My Privacy found. So if you’ve wiped out everything, it should tell you your privacy level is 100%. You should be aware by now though that the web is riddled with dangers and that it’s impossible to have total protection. A 100% privacy level doesn’t mean you’re bullet proof against any threat.

The basic PC user will enjoy My Privacy’s security recommendations, found in the options section. These are obvious yet often overlooked tips to improve the safety of your PC. For example, did you know that using autofills in online forms puts you at risk? What about allowing access to temporary file preferences? Check that you’ve tweaked them to My Privacy’s recommendations to increase the privacy of your PC.

My Privacy’s weakness lies in its purpose. When run for the first time, the program failed to identify all of the cookies, temporary files and private information stored in the PC. Basic information like the cache could not even be wiped. We also realized that My Privacy had no way of blocking pop ups or websites, an absolute necessity when browsing the web.

My Privacy makes beginners aware of the importance of privacy on the web and what steps they should take to protect it. Unfortunately, in terms of security, the program does not offer anything you wouldn’t find in full security suites. Chances are if you’re using a relatively recent browser like Opera or if you have a good antivirus program you’ll be able to carry out the same security tasks much more efficiently.

Download My Privacy 3.5 in Softonic

TweakUAC is a free software tool that you can use to quickly turn UAC (User Account Control of Windows Vista) on or off, or to make UAC operate in the quiet mode.

Turn UAC off

This option turns UAC off completely. If this is what you want, select this option, press OK, restart the computer, and you won’t see the elevation prompts anymore. Windows Vista will operate pretty much like Windows XP does when you login to its administrator’s account.

Switch UAC to the quiet mode

This option does not turn off UAC; instead, it only makes UAC to operate in the quiet mode. In the quiet mode, UAC does not display the elevation prompts for the administrators. That is, when you attempt to do an administrative task, you will be allowed to proceed automatically, without prompting you to confirm the operation. All other features of UAC would still be enabled: the programs will run with the standard user permissions by default, and the standard users will still see the elevation prompts (the quiet mode applies to the administrator accounts only).

Leave UAC on

If you have previously turned UAC off or switched it to operate in the quiet mode, you can use this option to restore the original behavior of UAC.

Download TweakUAC 1.0 in Softonic