Copyright © 1995-2008 Freebyte.com. All rights reserved. |
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| Introduction | |||||||||||||||||||
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| On this page you will find truly free anti-virus software, free firewalls, free email protection software, free virus prevention software, tests of anti-virus programs, links to specialized anti-virus sites, information about virus prevention, useful evaluation versions of anti-virus software, etc. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Contents | |||||||||||||||||||
| Free Virus Scanners | |||||||||||||||||||
| Virus scanners operate by searching your harddisk(s) for files which might be infected
by a virus. This method is never 100% secure, since only known viruses (or known virus patterns) are detected.
If an infection has been detected in a certain file, the virus scanner might be able to clean the file,
but very often this is not the case. In that case, you can try another scanner to clean the file, you can try to
replace the file or - as a last resort - delete it. However, if many important operating system files are affected, it might be the best solution to reformat the harddisk and install the operating system from scratch. There are even viruses can not be cleaned by mere hard-disk reformatting. E.g. so-called boot-viruses infect the boot-sector of disks, and will very often not be removed by simply reformatting the harddisk. In this case you will need to repair the boot-sector, a good utility for this can be found in Norton Utilities (not free). | |||||||||||||||||||
| Antidote Super Lite version | Freeware lite version of the commercial Antidote program. It utilizes the same virus database as the commercial version. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Avast! | Anti-virus program for Windows. The home edition is freeware for noncommercial users. | ||||||||||||||||||
| AVG Free edition | Free edition of the AVG anti-virus program for Windows and Linux. Tested and recommended by Freebyte.com. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Avira Antivir | Free anti-virus software for Windows, Linux, Free BSD and Solaris. Detects and removes more than 50,000 viruses. Free support. | ||||||||||||||||||
| BitDefender | Freeware virus scanner for Linux. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Clam AV | Freeware, GPL, Linux. Clam AntiVirus is a GPL anti-virus toolkit for UNIX. The main purpose of this software is the integration with mail servers (attachment scanning). The package provides a flexible and scalable multi-threaded daemon, a command line scanner, and a tool for automatic updating via Internet. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ClamWin | Freeware, open-source anti-virus program for Windows. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Comodo Anti-Virus | Free anti-virus program for Windows. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cyberhawk | Protects against viruses, worms, trojans and other spyware, designed to be a complement to your current anti-virus software.
Cyberhawk does not need to know anything about a virus before it can protect you against it.
This is because Cyberhawk looks at the behaviour of an infected program (instead of the contents of the infected file).
The basic version is free. Note from the editors: after testing Cyberhawk we found that it generates a lot of false alarms on legitimate software. Nevertheless we think that this program can be useful provided you know how to interpret these alarms. | ||||||||||||||||||
| FProt | Free anti-virus software for Linux, FreeBSD and DOS (personal use). Evaluation version for Windows. | ||||||||||||||||||
| HandyBits | Free for personal use. Virus 'scanner integrator'. After performing an auto-search for installed virus scanners, it will scan your files using all found installed virus scanners. This can be useful, since some antiviral programs are good for one type of viruses, other programs for other viruses. | ||||||||||||||||||
| PC Tools AntiVirus | Free anti-virus program + firewall for Windows. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Free Online Virus & Trojan Scanners | |||||||||||||||||||
| The virus and trojan scanners in this section do not need to be downloaded or installed, they run from inside your Webbrowser. | |||||||||||||||||||
| VirusTotal | Freeware online malware scanner. You can upload a single suspicious file which will be scanned by around 30 well-known virus scanners. | ||||||||||||||||||
| GFI online Trojan Scanner | Freeware online Trojan scanner. This program runs in your browser (Internet Explorer only, Windows), no explicit installation is required. | ||||||||||||||||||
| McAfee's Virusscan Online | Online virus scanner by McAffee | ||||||||||||||||||
| Panda Active Scan | Ffree tool for detecting and eliminating viruses from your computer. Installs as an ActiveX control in your Web browser (Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher). | ||||||||||||||||||
| PC Pitstop | A large number of online computer and Internet related tests, including a virus scan and spyware test. The free virus scanner installs itself as an ActiveX control inside your Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher. | ||||||||||||||||||
| RavAntivirus | Online scanner which can also remove viruses. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Symantec Security Check | A number of online tests (run in your Web browser), including a virus scan. Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher required. | ||||||||||||||||||
| TrendMicro HouseCall | Free virus scanner which runs directly in your Web browser (Windows only). | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-free Virus Scanners | |||||||||||||||||||
| The programs below you can try out for free for a certain time. During this trial period they can be very helpful. You need to spend a little bit of money should you decide to use them beyond that period. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Command AntiVirus | Useful 30-day trial versions for Windows, Linux, Netware, DOS, Exchange, Lotus Notes | ||||||||||||||||||
| eSafe | Anti-virus software for Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP. | ||||||||||||||||||
| InVircible | Detects viruses, Worms, Trojans, Hacking tools, backdoors, etc. utilizing generic methods: without needing a virus-pattern database. An example of a generic virus-detection method is: detecting code installing itself to be activated at system startup or 'shell open'. InVircible uses many different generic methods simultaneously. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Solo | Detection and removal of viruses. The system integrity checker protects against Internet Worms, Backdoor programs, malicious VB and Java scripts. 30-day anti-virus trial versions. | ||||||||||||||||||
| McAfee | 30-day anti-virus evaluation versions. | ||||||||||||||||||
| NOD32 | Anti-virus evaluation versions for Windows. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Protector PLUS | 30-day anti-virus evaluation versions. Versions for Windows (all flavours), DOS and Netware. | ||||||||||||||||||
| QuickHeal | 30-day anti-virus evaluation versions. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Kaspersky | 30-day trial versions available for: Linux, DOS, Windows.
Protects against: trojans, backdoors, logic bombs, macro viruses, etc. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Norman | Anti-virus and firewall trial versions for Windows, Linux, Novell, OS/2. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Norton Anti Virus | Anti-virus trial versions. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Panda Software | Anti-virus trial versions. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Principal AntiVirus | Scans for viruses, trojans, worms, backdoors, adware, spyware and any other type of malware. For Windows. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sophos | Anti-virus trial versions. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Free Firewalls | |||||||||||||||||||
| Firestarter | Freeware open-source firewall for Linux with graphical user-interface. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Kerio Limited free edition | For Windows home users, Kerio Personal Firewall 4 is available in two flavors - the full edition and the limited free edition. More information. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Omniquad Personal Firewall Freeware | Free personal firewall for Windows created by Omniquad. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Outpost Firewall FREE | Free firewall for Windows. Created by Agnitum.
The PRO version (non-free) has a number of additional features. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Comodo Firewall | Free firewall for Windows 2000 and Windows XP SP2. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Premidius Firewall Lite | Free firewall for personal use. Windows. | ||||||||||||||||||
| R-Firewall | Freeware firewall for Windows, with many features. | ||||||||||||||||||
| SensiveGuard | Free firewall for personal use. Windows 2000, XP. | ||||||||||||||||||
| x-Wall Series | Non-free security software package, but the firewall component is free. | ||||||||||||||||||
| AppArmor | Security suite for Linux, freeware, open-source. AppArmor is also very useful for preventing scripts and programs running on Webservers from being hacked and exploited. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Zone Alarm (Basic version) | Free basic PC desktop firewall for Windows. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Home PC Firewall Guide | Independent reviews of Internet security and privacy-related products. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Free Computer Vulnerability Tests | |||||||||||||||||||
| These services test whether your computer is open for attacks from other computers connected to the Internet through a process called 'port scan'. You can protect your computer against these attacks through a firewall. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Shields Up! | Shields Up! tests your computer for vulnerabilities from outside attacks through the Internet. You do not need to install anything. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Free Virus Prevention | |||||||||||||||||||
| Bootminder | Prevents your computer from being infected by boot-viruses. Freeware for Windows.
Bootminder will warn you if a floppy is in your A: drive when closing down Windows.
This way, you won't start up with the floppy still in it. Result: no boot-virus infection.
Created by Freebyte.com. | ||||||||||||||||||
| AnalogX | AnalogX Script Defender protects against script viruses (those viruses using e.g. Visual Basic Script, Java Script). Gives a warning when scripts are executed. | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Free Virus Removal tools | |||||||||||||||||||
| NOD32 | Besides their non-free anti-virus software, a large collection of free worm-cleaners is offered. | ||||||||||||||||||
| BitDefender | Free virus removal tools for a number of viruses. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Free Email Protection | |||||||||||||||||||
| SpamDel | This very useful freeware program enables you to delete virus emails and spams directly on the mail server before download. This not only saves costs and time, but also reduces the risk of virus infection. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Inbox | Inbox deletes and filters spams, viruses and other unwanted emails directly on the mail server before they reach your email program. Freeware for Windows. | ||||||||||||||||||
| GFI Email security test | Due to the unsafe design of some email programs, email viruses now are able to infect computer systems just by email.
Once infected, a computer system can spread the virus further by sending malicious emails to other systems without any human interference.
Well designed email programs do not display these vulnerabilities. Unfortunately, commercial success is not related to good design... Virus scanners (please see above) can offer good protection against email viruses by scanning each incoming mail, but will never protect against 100% of all attacks, since it is impossible to know and detect each and every possible type of virus. Therefore, even when you have a real-time virus scanner, it is wise to get some information on the vulnerabilities and strengths of your email program. The GFI site tests your email program by sending you number of emails that probe your mail system. | ||||||||||||||||||
| How not to get an email virus | Prevention is the best cure when approaching the hazards of email viruses. This article, written by Dhugael McLean, explains how to best handle a variety of email attachments, and which file types you should never open when they are sent to you by email. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Outlook protection | Some Outlook and Outlook express versions are very vulnerable to virus attacks through email.
Several versions of Outlook and Outlook Express can execute malicious scripts or programs
hidden inside emails sent to you without warning. These sites offer non-free Outlook protection software: ScanMail Slipstick systems NemX | ||||||||||||||||||
| Free Anti-Rootkit Software | |||||||||||||||||||
| A rootkit is a set of utilities which can run hidden on a computer system, often with the intention of providing secret access to (and control over) the computer's operating system. Usually hackers, viruses, worms and other malicious entities use rootkits to hide their presence on infected systems. | |||||||||||||||||||
| AVG Anti-Rootkit free | Freeware software for detection and removal of rootkits by AVG. Runs on Windows. | ||||||||||||||||||
| F-Secure BlackLight Beta | Time-limited rootkit detection and removal program for Windows 2000, 2003 and XP. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rootkit Detection and Removal | Page with useful links and information on detecting and removing rootkits. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rootkit Hook Analyzer | Identifies all processes which are 'hooked' into the operating system kernel ('kernel hooks').
Some of these hooks may be legitimate, some might be malicious. Suitable for Windows XP, 2000 and 2003. | ||||||||||||||||||
| RootkitRevealer | A free root kit detection utility for Windows NT 4 and higher which detects all persistent rootkits published at rootkit.com. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Free anti-Trojan tools + information | |||||||||||||||||||
| Trojans are programs, which - like viruses - can be active on your computer without your knowledge.
In general Trojans do not replicate though. Trojans are dangerous, since they can transmit secret information, such as
passwords, credit card information, company secrets, confidential information, personal letters, etc. Also: trojans can delete files, open backdoors, connect secretly to external sites. | |||||||||||||||||||
| a-squared Free | Freeware trojan scanner.
Complementary product to antivirus software which is specialized in protection against harmful software.
Antivirus software often features an inadequate protection against Trojans, Dialers and Spyware. This program fills this gap. The non-free personal edition has additional features, such as continous background trojan-scanning and automatic updates. | ||||||||||||||||||
| GFI online Trojan Scanner | Freeware online Trojan scanner. This program runs in your browser (Internet Explorer only, Windows), no explicit installation is required. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Whitepaper: how to protect against Trojans | Trojans - and how to protect your network against them. This white paper outlines what Trojans are and why they pose a danger to corporate networks. As early as 2001, an eWeek article reported that tens of thousands of machines are infected with Trojans. This is still the case today. More... | ||||||||||||||||||
| Virus- Spyware- and Trojan- scanner tests | |||||||||||||||||||
| Check out these sites if you want too see which scanning programs offer the best protection or find out whether your scanner is effective. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Spycar | Spyware-simulation tools to test anti-spyware programs. Runs on Windows. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interceptor 2005 AV Review | 2005 Review of various Virus scanners by Interceptor. | ||||||||||||||||||
| The PCMan Website | Free virus scanner test. This service tests your Virus Protection online see if your installed virus scanner detects the test string. This test virus was developed by the European Institute for Computer Anti-Virus Research (EICAR). This is just a test it is NOT a real virus but a harmless string of characters. This string is used to verify the effectiveness of your virus scanning software. If your virus scanner is set up and working properly it should intercept the downloading of these files. | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Virus Information | |||||||||||||||||||
| McAfee Virus Information Library | Detailed information on where viruses come from, how they infect your system, and how to remove them. | ||||||||||||||||||
| AVP Virus Encyclopedia | News on viruses, virus listings alphabetically or by category. | ||||||||||||||||||
| F-Secure Virus Information Center | News and information on viruses | ||||||||||||||||||
| GetVirusHelp.com | Site to help people understand today's computer viruses and assist them in cleaning their own systems. Information is presented in a Q & A format. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stiller Research's Hoax Page | Database of virus Hoaxes and other annoying misinformation. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Symantec Virus database | Viruses listed alphabetically, threat list. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Trend Virus Map | Real-time World Virus Tracking Center. It shows a map with the regional distribution of viruses worldwide during the past 24 hours, past 7 days and past 30 days. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Trend Virus Information Center | Virus Encyclopedia. Very useful site containing extensive lists (and background information) on many viruses. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Virus Bulletin | Articles, resources and journal on developments in the field of computer viruses and anti-virus products | ||||||||||||||||||
| Virus or Hoax? | The World Wide Web pages of 'Virus or Hoax ?' are created to give you basic information about viruses, hoaxes, Trojan Horses, macro viruses and Internet related viruses, such as worms and email bombs. | ||||||||||||||||||
| VirusList.com | Virus encyclopedia, anti-virus software, events, facts and commentary. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Various anti-virus resources | |||||||||||||||||||
| AntiVirus World | The latest virus news and related information. | ||||||||||||||||||
| comp.virus | Newsgroup on anti-virus related issues. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Doug Muth's Anti-Virus Help Page | Lots of up-to-date information. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gladiator Security Forums | News and forums on security, firewalls, antivirus, trojans, spyware. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Security related Websites & Resources | |||||||||||||||||||
| All Internet Security | Directory which is aimed at both PC and Macintosh users and security professionals. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Broadband Security forum | Discussion forum on security and privacy-related matters. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Free Click | Free PC security utilities, such as anti-virus programs and anti-spyware. | ||||||||||||||||||
| HackingAlert.com | Expert Tips to Deal with Hacking. | ||||||||||||||||||
| NewOrder | Computer security and networking portal. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Offensive Computing | Malicious code research, information and analysis | ||||||||||||||||||
| SecurityFocus | This Website is designed to facilitate discussion on computer security related topics, create computer security awareness, and to provide a comprehensive database of computer security knowledge and resources to the public. It also hosts the BUGTRAQ mailing list. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Related Freebyte pages | |||||||||||||||||||
| Free Anti-Spyware | Free utilities to detect and remove spyware. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Free Encryption and Computer Security | Free file, disk and email encryption software; free password managers, free data wiping tools, firewalls, computer vulnerability tests. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Free Anti-Spam Tools | Free spam-filter services, free anti-spam software, free spam-reporting services, free anti-spam email services, free server-side anti-spam tools, etc. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Free File and Disk Utilities | Disk catalog programs; backup, compression, split and zip programs; disk search engines, disk management utilities, remote file storage services, data recovery tools, data wipe tools, downloadable boot disks and more. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Free System and Administrator utilities | Free process viewers, system analysis tools, network monitoring tools, registry tools, task schedulers. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Free Software created by Freebyte | Free Personal Information Managers, free File and Disk Utilities, free Address Books, free eBook Software and more. All created by Freebyte.com. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Free Technical Support | Free technical support for all computer-related issues: Hardware, software, PC, Windows, MAC, PDAs, Linux, drivers, Modems, dll's, virus. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Free drivers, dll's, and bios upgrades | Find your missing system file (dll, vxd, ocx, driver, etc.) or BIOS upgrade, and download it for free. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Free Operating Systems | Free operating systems, such as: Linux, FreeBSD, Windows clones, emulators and much more. Also: interesting alternative commercial operating systems. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Free Programming Tools | Free programming tools for Windows, Linux, etc. Free C++, C, Delphi, Basic, Assembler, Cobol, Pascal, Java, SQL, Databases; links to free compilers, databases, interpreters, IDE's, installers, components, libraries, languages, helpfile generators and more. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Software sites | A large list of freeware sites, freebie sites, shareware sites and software search engines. | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Information wanted! | |||||||||||||||||||
| If you know of any free anti-virus software (not listed here), sites performing Virus scanner tests, or other useful anti-virus resources please let us know! | |||||||||||||||||||
| About this page | |||||||||||||||||||
| Last updated on May 14, 2008
Copyright:
Freebyte.com If you have any comments about this page, | |||||||||||||||||||
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