tool box

Knowledge is power. If you are a do-it-yourself-er, here are some great tools we use every day. Most of these tools are free. Please note: as a general rule, anything offered free on the Internet is a trick.  Don't download free stuff no matter how tempting. 

That said, there are a few gems to be found.  This page is dedicated to sharing our favorite gems.

 

 

Google Chrome Browser

Our new favorite browser is Google Chrome.  It's super, super fast and safe. It's smart too: there is no search bar; you type your search terms in the address bar and you're off and running. The only downside is that Google's own Toolbar doesn't work in Chrome. Go figure... Get more info

Malwarebytes Anti-Spyware

Our new favorite spyware remover is Malwarebytes. With great performance and excellent detection capabilities, it's one of the best available programs to keep your computer clean. 

In the past, we've used two or more spyware detection programs in conjunction because they all have different strengths. Malwarebytes is powerful all by itself.

If you try it and like it as much as we do, please consider buying their retail program. Get more info

AVG Anti-Virus

AVG Free is a very good antivirus program if you're on a budget.  Automatic updates and scans can be set. When choosing a great anti-virus program we look at accuracy, performance, speed of updates, and price.  Other non-free programs edge out AVG in all these categories but not by much! When we factor in the price (free) AVG wins. Get more info

Cloudmark Anti-Spam

No other anti-spam program has even come close to the accuracy and usability of Cloudmark's anti-spam program.  It relies on feedback from people using the program to correctly flag spam.  It runs as an add-on for Outlook, Thunderbird, and Windows Mail. Unlike other tools on this page, it's not free ($40ish per year) but we think it's well worth the extra investment.  Get more info

other favorite tools

Firefox Browser

Always a favorite.  It's fast (though not as fast as Google Chrome) and it's considered safer than Microsoft's Internet Explorer. As Firefox's popularity grows, however, we've seen a corresponding growth in Firefox exploits. So, it's not as safe as it once was. Still, it's a great choice especially if you don't want to give up handy tools like the Google Toolbar.  Get more info

Spybot Search and Destroy

While it's a little clunky in appearance, Spybot S&D is an excellent spyware remover and does a pretty good job keeping your computer spyware free.  To get full benefit of its protection, however, you need manually update it and use the "Tea Timer" feature.  We've seen Tea Timer slow down performance a bit and it's not the most user-friendly tool. Despite its minor quirks, it's still a favorite because it does such a good job.  Get more info

Ad-Aware by Lavasoft

In recent years we've seen its accuracy and performance decrease. The free version will not pro-actively protect you from infestation.  You can now get the retail version for free if you submit to advertising offers. Ummm...we appreciate that it's hard to make a buck these days but going over to the dark side is probably a mistake. Ad-Aware is hanging on this list by a thread.   It's still here because despite Lavasoft's dubious new marketing ploy,  Ad-Aware is still a great tool.  Get more info

Avast! Anti-virus

While not the most user-friendly tool, Avast! is quite good.  Its "run-at-boot-time" command line scanner has grabbed viruses that other scanners failed to kill.  Get more info

you should know...

• Install and use these tools at your own risk. We offer no warranty.
• We do not participate in affiliate programs or accept any compensation for our recommendations.
• When we recommend a program, it's because we really like it and use it ourselves.