Freeware Program List

[Archangel]

Just finished typing this monster up elsewhere, and thought I might share the love. So, ladies, I present to you my epic list of free stuff that is cool. Feel free to add your own contributions.

To any of you chaps that might be noob enough to ask, 'Freeware' means the software has no restricted licensing, and any sunnova gun with an internet connection can go online, download and install the program completely free of charge. No catches. And these here are what I reckon are the best ones in town.

Avira (http://www.avira.com/en/download/) - Pretty sure most people know this one, but nonetheless, here she is. Avira is a great, and entirely free, virus scanner. It picks up on a couple more False-Positives than things like, say, NOD32. But it also picks up on more things than NOD32. And doesn't cost large wads on money. Its AntiVir Guard scans files in the background and as your PC accesses files, and it makes a very inconsequential dent to overall system performance (Right now it's using about 20mb of my memory, and 0 CPU). It also gets updates fairly regularly, which means the folks over at Avira are keeping it updated as new virus definitions are discovered, which is tops. Overall, its quiet, its discrete, its effective, and its free.

Comodo (http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/free-download.html) - If you have the mental capacity to determine what processes and applications should be allowed to connect to the internet and what shouldn't, then you should try Comodo. It is amongst the best firewalls around in terms of effectiveness, and it's rather beautiful in terms of efficiency--right now, it's using 0 CPU and 5mb of my memory, whilst blocking about 18 random outgoing Windows connections (You don't realise just how much BS pinging and such that applications do until you install this, seriously), and allowing 7.
The UI is also amongst the best I've seen in free firewall solutions, allowing you to change the level of alert detail from simply monitoring applications and blocking connections, blocking each connection to alternate IPs, blocking each connection to alternate IPs based on port, etc. And you can customise the type of connection allowed, based on the protocol being used, and the direction of travel.
Basically, it comes in 'simple' and 'expert' modes, so every fool in town can have a crack, and does a really nice job of things.

CCleaner (http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download) - This should also be fairly well known, but anyhow: CCleaner is a nifty little tool that lets you clean out Temp files, cookies, history, browsing cache, thumbnail chaces, Explorer MRUs, the Recycle Bin, the clipboard, memory dumps, Checkdisk fragments, Log Files, Error Reports, DNS Caches, Prefetch Data, Tray Notification Caches, IIS Logs... so on, so forth. It can clean up a lot of crap on your disk that you didn't even know existed, and certainly had no use for. It also does basic Registry Cleaning, and I've run it hundreds of times error-free, as well as acts as a Uninstall utility, a system restore utility, and lets you monitor all Startup applications, disable unwanted ones, or delete them from the Startup order altogether.
Pretty much your one-stop "Fix everything wrong with my computer" shop.

CD Burner XP (http://cdburnerxp.se/download.php) - Its UI is a touch laggy at times, but it does what it says on the tin: it burns CDs. DVDs and BluRays, too. You can do video disks, music disks, data disks, create CD Images, Burn CD Images, Copy whatever disk is in the drive, erase rewritable mediums, so on, so forth. I haven't had any gripes asides from a 5 second load time, and it performs exactly as it should. What more could you ask for?

IZ Arc (http://www.izarc.org/) - IZArc is hands-down amongst the top contenders for opening, modifying and packaging archive files. It looks and functions much like WinRAR does, only it does it for free. It does lack the ability to create .RAR archives (licensing issues and whatnot), but it can still open them just fine. And, unlike winRAR, IZArc actually implements .ZIP functionality that is up to date and, well... good. So it makes ZIP files as well as WinRAR makes a RAR. It also does 7-ZIP, A, ACE, ARC, ARJ, B64, BH, BIN, BZ2, BZA, C2D, CAB, CDI, CPIO, DEB, ENC, GCA, GZ, GZA, HA, IMG, ISO, JAR, LHA, LIB, LZH, MDF, MBF, MIM, NRG, PAK, PDI, PK3, RAR, RPM, TAR, TAZ, TBZ, TGZ, TZ, UUE, WAR, XXE, YZ1, Z, ZIP and ZOO archive types, too, which is handy.
On top of that, it can (per user request) be integrated into Windows' shell function, so with a right-click you can be extracting or packing away, and it has a 256 Bit AES security Encryption function too, in case you like your security a little too much.

K-Lite Codec Pack (http://www.free-codecs.com/download/k_lite_codec_pack.htm) - My personal favourite for watching any video format in existence. K-Lite comes with Media Player Classic bundled, which outperforms Windows Media Player, iTunes and anything else you can think of by having both better performance, and having superior video renderers, offering better playback quality. On top of just that, as it is a Codec Pack, it comes bundles with a whole bunch of codecs. Like, a whole bunch. I have not encountered any video wrapper or codec, or audio codec, for that matter, that this baby didn't already know about, and I watch alot of videos, if you know what I mean. Its performance is superb, and it can play anything. I have never had need, want or use for even considering an alternative.

MediaMonkey (http://www.mediamonkey.com/download/) - Stands just about side-by-side with WinAMP as a Music Media Player. Explicitly, I've not found one or the other to run faster or use less resources, though the two of them are vastly superior to any other media player on the market (iTunes, I'm looking at YOU). I put MediaMonkey here, though, because far less people have heard of it, and I consider it my favourite. It doesn't run slower, but in my experience its audio output plugins gave me a better sound than WinAMP ever did. It is also designed to be highly customisable in just about every way, meaning you can change all the different plug-ins used, and customise the view to suit your needs in almost any way. You can even create your own menu buttons. Mostly, though, it means there are a whole bunch of addons you can install, like new skins and themes, new audio plugins, new audio mixers (There's a couple that have sliders for the full sound-board effect, where you can fiddle with pretty much everything sound-related), an inbuilt LastFM scrobbler, so on, so forth.
It also has its own inbuilt tagging system, which is the best I've seen, and a whole bunch of other goodies that you can get to know. Quite fine, for a freeby.


XRecode (http://xrecode.en.softonic.com/) - XRecode is hands-down the best Audio Encoding software I know of. It runs fast, can convert audio between all the major formats, has superb multithreading for running parallel files on different CPU cores, and allows a fairly high amount of customisability for what you want your output to be, like whether it has a Variable Bit Rate, what the average Bit Rate should be, quality in Hz, etc. It also has a nifty "move original to recycle bin" option for people like me, who are very disk space conscience, and get their brand new music as high quality FLAC, and then re-encode it with a variable bitrate to mp3 so's it can have roughly the same playback quality (As I lack $400 speakers and a Sound Card, so all that high-quality FLAC audio gets completely lost as soon as it hits my motherboard soundcard) with far smaller filesize.

Notepad++ (http://notepad-plus-plus.org/) - Notepad++ is basically who Notepad, or even Wordpad, should wish they could be. It is a far more advanced text-editor (designed in part for editing source code) with a much better GUI that allows for running multiple documents in seperate tabs, offering line and character numbers, etc. It also has a vast array of different supported Language Formats that it can read and save to--more than notepad or wordpad ever had--and allows for the installation of plugins, such as spellcheckers. It's not quite Word, or Open Office, but that's not what it's trying to be. What it tries to be is a replacement for notepad, that is just as small, discrete, but far more effective. And it does exactly that. It also has a shell extension so you can right-click any file and pop it open in notepad++ just like that.

EVGA Precision (http://www.evga.com/precision/) - If you're a tech-head like me, or even if you're not, EVGA Precision is a handy little tool to have. What it is is an excellent NVidia overclocking utility. But don't stop reading there, folks. It's also a very handy app for monitoring GPU temperatures and clocks speeds, and it can also be used for UNDERclocking, too. Why would you want to underclock? To save power and generate less heat when you have a giant son-of-a-graphics-card and all you're doing with it is watching a video or surfing the web. Save on your electricity bill when you're downloading overnight by halving your clocks speeds and reducing power, heat and, as such, noise from the fan. For the most part, the program only allows you to clock within a certain range, so you can't completely balls up your card by clocking it too low or too high, and its GUI is fairly easy to use. You can also make some profiles and assign them to hotkeys for ease of use. This app in full will use about 5mb of Memory, and its made by EVGA who make a whole range of other products, so it is quite certainly trustworthy.

Virtual CloneDrive (http://www.slysoft.com/en/virtual-clonedrive.html): More than likely, at some point you've been a dirty pirate, or perhaps you've just had cause to turn a DVD into a DVD image on your PC. AKA you have an ISO or NFO or whatever other Disk Image Format you can name, somewhere, somehow, on your PC. Since the dawn of time, man has wondered how then, with these mystical and ill-gotten disk images, do we get to the precious hidden within them? The answer is not Alcohol (120), nor is it Daemon(Tool)s, bur rather 'tis Virtual Clone Drive. For the simplest, easiest, most discrete and most effective solution to crackin' open them Disk Images so you can pirate your way to freedome, VCD is the way to do it. It has a handy shell extension too, so you just right click your disk image file and then select 'mount to virtual drive'. Simple.


So yeah, there's me post. Hope some of y'all find something you like, and if not, then please do enlighten me on your superior choices.

[Jason]

Great list. Rep++

[Archangel]

Why senkyou, sah. If there is one thing I do well, it is Tech-Geeking all over everything.

[Lance]

Yes very cool, +rep - I already use a fair few of the programs there - except for Virtual CloneDrive - I've been using MagicDisc (http://download.cnet.com/MagicDisc/3000-7970_4-10383679.html) since the DVD Drive is screwed on my Laptop and it's cheaper to just burn an image on the older computer to run it on the Laptop

[Hyperion]

For Avira, I would also add that its interface makes good sense and is easy to use.

Since an anti-virus and firewall were mentioned, I was expecting an anti-spyware to make the list, too. After all, if I understand correct, spyware is a growing threat. That said, I recommend Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, the developers of which pride themselves in maintaining a product that catches the real nasties of the spyware inventory, such as those that hijack desktops.

Moving on, I also like Revo Uninstaller, which makes sure that programs are thoroughly and cleanly uninstalled.

[Archangel]

Avira I believe has its own anti-spyware engine.

[Jason]

Wait, do you mean Avira or Avast!, Archie?

[MyNameDidntFit]

Being that he has Avira in the list, I'd say he means that ;)

[Hyperion]

Avira! I believe has its own anti-spyware engine.
The full version only, I believe. I don't know how good it is compared to stand-alone (i.e., only) anti-spyware programs, though.

[Archangel]

Wait, do you mean Avira or Avast!, Archie?

Being that he has Avira in the list, I'd say he means that ;)

Yeah, that. I always forget which one totes the exclamation mark at the end. They both start with 'Av' and have two 'a's... but yeah, Avira's the one I meant.


The full version only, I believe. I don't know how good it is compared to stand-alone (i.e., only) anti-spyware programs, though.


Yeah, it probably wouldn't live up to a full-time anti-spyware kit, but I'd rather use it without a dedicated anti-spyware program. Simply 'cause a) I don't download large sums of spyware and b) dislike having a too many bloated programs around the place. A firewall would also pick up on most spyware that isn't embedded in another program--and as mentioned previously, I don't typically download incredibly shady programs that are likely to be loaded with spyware.

Nonetheless, for anyone who likes their spyware non-existent, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware should do the trick.

And on the topic of Avira's own functionality, as far as I can tell Avira doesn't wanna release product information on the personal firewall as readily as it wants to advertise what the Premium version does. Premium handles Spyware... I can't find if Personal does, though.

Wiki reckons it does Spyware, though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avira_security_software#Version_features_summary

[Hyperion]

I don't imagine having a dedicated anti-spyware is that important, either. In fact, when I received a deadly spyware that nearly crippled my computer, it was the fault of a sibling. I failed, then, at a basic security requirement: educate your family.

Also, I haven't been keeping up with Internet security for a long while, so I was blindsided when I considered myself knowledgeable enough.

[MyNameDidntFit]

Way I see it, if you're not a) an idiot, b) new to the internet or c) a pirate you wont need antivirus, let alone anti-spyware.

I have both because one of those three things applies to me from time to time.

[Archangel]

It's because you're an idiot, isn't it?

Everyone who goes on the net should have a basic AntiVir, I reckon. Doesn't matter who you are or what you do, there is always the off chance that you or someone using your computer will click a bad link. Or not even that, but your friend will give you his USB for something and you'll put it in to find out its got all kinds of viral infections. Lord knows enough of my friends are fools enough that they do.

When there's a free AntiVir like Avira, and it runs very discretely, why shouldn't you use it?

[Jason]

Exactly. My laptop is used by me and me alone. I don't pirate anything, and while I'm no uber-geek, I'm fairly security-savvy, but I still make sure Avira is always up-to-date. As Archie points out, it doesn't have to be anything I do that will screw me up.

[MyNameDidntFit]

My point is that it's not needed by the average net user.

The likelihood of a reasonably educated internet user who does not allow others to access their PC getting any form of malware is about as likely as malware getting through AV. The only real chance of this happening I see are times when websites are hacked and implanted with malware -- in which case it's quite likely that no AV will kill it anyway (take the recent FPSBanana.com hacking for example, the only confirmed killer of the virus was Kapersky -- removal had to be done manually otherwise).

Even in cases such as the above, the internet community quickly rallies and within a day or two information is readily available on the removal of the malware involved.

My laptop is used by me and me alone.

...

it doesn't have to be anything I do that will screw me up.
Contradiction does not compute.

[Jason]

Okay, so how about if my mother sends me an email with an infected attachment?

[Lance]

Okay, so how about if my mother sends me an email with an infected attachment?

Probably means she doesn't like you Jase :p

[MyNameDidntFit]

And yet you choose open it. Just saying, ya know. Short of a sabotage attempt where someone sneaks into your house and downloads malware, it always comes down to the end user.

[Jason]

It's entirely possible that a legitimately and deliberately sent file could be infected. The point is, is that even if you're the most safety-conscious net user in the world, if your computer is connected to the internet, it's madness not to use one of the many good and free virus checkers.

Probably means she doesn't like you Jase :p

:lol: - funny fecker, aintcha? Rep++

[Nonsequitur]

And yet you choose open it. Just saying, ya know. Short of a sabotage attempt where someone sneaks into your house and downloads malware, it always comes down to the end user.

If you're on the internet and someone want's in your computer they'll get in. The only thing that will slow them down are firewalls and security software. Without a firewall you have no chance, without some security software you're living in a warzone with no protection. Recently a bunch .gov websites here started dishing out malware to all visitors because server farm they where using got attacked and compromised.

This kind of stuff happens all the time and the scary thing is that the ones that get caught do so because they are so blatant. I wonder about those done with a bit more cunning. There is always new stuff popping up like now .pdf files can call up executables. I was reading recently that a database was found that contained 44 million gaming credentials. Who's to blame when Steam downloads an "update" to your game?

[MyNameDidntFit]

If you're on the internet and someone want's in your computer they'll get in.
If someone wants in your computer, a firewall will not stop them, nor will run-of-the-mill AV. This comes down to the aforementioned sabotage.

Who's to blame when Steam downloads an "update" to your game?
Allow me to point out:
The only real chance of this happening I see are times when websites are hacked and implanted with malware

You seem to all think I'm saying that it's impossible to get malware if you're not an idiot. I'm saying it's extremely unlikely -- you're probably more likely to be hit by a bus. The further point I'm making is that if something is so cunning as to be able to install itself without you knowing (from a reputable source, no less), there's a good chance it will be able to get passed the majority of AV (note the previously mentioned FPSBanana hacking incident).

[Archangel]

If someone wants in your computer, a firewall will not stop them, nor will run-of-the-mill AV. This comes down to the aforementioned sabotage.

No... no, a firewall will stop 'em pretty good. Without a firewall (or a password), it's one helluva vanilla-flavoured cakewalk to gain access to someone's computer. A password alone will mean the average hacker has to learn something more complicated than Command prompt to hack, or will have to determine your password. A firewall will stop them from ever getting nearly that close.

If I know your IP and your password, it would take about 30 seconds and two lines of text. If you had a firewall, it would take determining the functionality of the firewall and attempts at bypassing it, which... is roughly infinitely more complex. And for a standard Home-PC--which is to say, not a PC belonging to a multi-billion dollar corporation--no hacker will put in that much effort. There are alot of folks out there that will simply prod at a PC to see if it doesn't have any security, because it's like easy money. As soon as they find that the PC has some form of security, they'll just move on to find an easier target.

There are few hackers around capable of bypassing a firewall, and fewer still that would pass up trying to crack NASA so that they could work on your home computer. Which is to say, there are roughly none.


there's a good chance it will be able to get passed the majority of AV

Yeah but, no. Every new virus can infect every schmoe. It's 'cause it's new. That's why AV's update. It's why things like Avira and NOD32 get a new update every 6 hours. If I were a dirty commie and wanted to make a virus, and knew how to no less, it wouldn't take all that long to come up with something to do the job. But it also doesn't take all that long to remedy the situation.

Your FPSBanana example holds little bearing for precisely that reason. Only thing that makes it particularly special is that this new virus got put somewhere with a good deal of traffic.

But anyhow. AV's and firewalls beh good. And free ones beh gooder.

[Nonsequitur]

You seem to all think I'm saying that it's impossible to get malware if you're not an idiot. I'm saying it's extremely unlikely -- you're probably more likely to be hit by a bus. The further point I'm making is that if something is so cunning as to be able to install itself without you knowing (from a reputable source, no less), there's a good chance it will be able to get passed the majority of AV (note the previously mentioned FPSBanana hacking incident).

Sorry, I didn't mean to miss characterize your argument. I just meant to point out the prevalence of corrupted websites, DNS routing and the like. I do disagree about the uselessness of av software in detecting those threats. Much of the creation of malware and specifically botnets has become automated and generic. While AV software won't protect you from zero day threats it does help against stuff that can be downloaded from bad guy walmart. Much of the AV software available now have elements of IPS software like behavioral profiling that will at least alert the user if their PC starts behaving abnormally