Comments on: Top XP Freeware that every user needs http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/ A technology blog covering software, mobile phones, gadgets, security, the Internet and other relevant areas. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:58:57 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Joe http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-655682 Joe Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:47:16 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-655682 I don't use any type of firewall either but I wouldn't recommend that to the average user. The average desktop user is completely clueless about what's going on. The average user is working with root (administrator)privaleges! That's a very bad thing but it's a reality you have to face when setting up a box for the average Joe. The averave user likes to download stuff from just about any old place. The average user opens email attachments from unknown senders. The average user has never heard of a checksum. The average user doesn't know that just about any executable (or worse a .bat file) can be hidden in a downloaded picture or video. Firewalls aren't designed to protect users from all the nasty little script-kiddies but to protect the average user from themselves. If a user is aware of all these neat little problems, they don't need you to set up a box for them. If they can't install an OS and configure it on their own, they need a firewall. I don’t use any type of firewall either but I wouldn’t recommend that to the average user. The average desktop user is completely clueless about what’s going on. The average user is working with root (administrator)privaleges! That’s a very bad thing but it’s a reality you have to face when setting up a box for the average Joe.
The averave user likes to download stuff from just about any old place. The average user opens email attachments from unknown senders. The average user has never heard of a checksum. The average user doesn’t know that just about any executable (or worse a .bat file) can be hidden in a downloaded picture or video.

Firewalls aren’t designed to protect users from all the nasty little script-kiddies but to protect the average user from themselves.

If a user is aware of all these neat little problems, they don’t need you to set up a box for them. If they can’t install an OS and configure it on their own, they need a firewall.

]]> By: Top XP Freeware that every user needs Part 2 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-174701 Top XP Freeware that every user needs Part 2 Tue, 09 Oct 2007 08:36:45 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-174701 [...] promised to write a second part of the article Top XP Freeware that every user needs and here it comes. I was concentrating on security aspects in the first [...] [...] promised to write a second part of the article Top XP Freeware that every user needs and here it comes. I was concentrating on security aspects in the first [...]

]]> By: Googlisti.com - far sapere è più importante che far ignorare - http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-78724 Googlisti.com - far sapere è più importante che far ignorare - Sat, 06 Jan 2007 16:12:47 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-78724 [...] 4. Top XP freeware di cui ogni utente ha bisogno [...] [...] 4. Top XP freeware di cui ogni utente ha bisogno [...]

]]> By: Great XP Freeware For Your PC » OneTipADay.com http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-77136 Great XP Freeware For Your PC » OneTipADay.com Fri, 29 Dec 2006 20:49:33 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-77136 [...] To read the full guide click here. [...] [...] To read the full guide click here. [...]

]]> By: Top XP Freeware that every user needs : Tech Tips http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-75060 Top XP Freeware that every user needs : Tech Tips Mon, 11 Dec 2006 05:59:21 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-75060 [...] Top XP Freeware that every user needs [...] [...] Top XP Freeware that every user needs [...]

]]> By: Martin http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72570 Martin Wed, 15 Nov 2006 18:04:29 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72570 I will mention many of the tools mentioned in the comments in the second part of the article, nameley Unlocker (which is very useful), Process Explorer, Autostarts, CCleaner, Foxit, VLC, Eraser and more :) Demon, I have the anti-spyware installed but not running in the background. I check my system with them every once in a while and it normally only finds some third party cookies.. I will mention many of the tools mentioned in the comments in the second part of the article, nameley Unlocker (which is very useful), Process Explorer, Autostarts, CCleaner, Foxit, VLC, Eraser and more :)

Demon, I have the anti-spyware installed but not running in the background. I check my system with them every once in a while and it normally only finds some third party cookies..

]]> By: DemonLlama http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72569 DemonLlama Wed, 15 Nov 2006 17:45:05 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72569 I keep my systems as streamlined as possible, I don't like extra processes taking up resources in the background. Therefore I don't install any anti-spyware proggies unless I see a problem that needs fixing (which I never have on my own systems. It's about smart browsing). I also never use software firewalls. They have too much overhead and cause too many things to break. IMO everyone on broadband should be behind a router w/ a hardware firewall built in anyway. In fact (sure to get flamed for this), I don't even have an AntiVirus installed on all my systems. The only time I've ever had a true virus infection was when a less savvy roommate dragged in Nimda while he was downloading pr0n and it spread over the network like wildfire. That was about 4 years ago. Now that I live alone I'm not as concerned. I keep my systems as streamlined as possible, I don’t like extra processes taking up resources in the background. Therefore I don’t install any anti-spyware proggies unless I see a problem that needs fixing (which I never have on my own systems. It’s about smart browsing). I also never use software firewalls. They have too much overhead and cause too many things to break. IMO everyone on broadband should be behind a router w/ a hardware firewall built in anyway.

In fact (sure to get flamed for this), I don’t even have an AntiVirus installed on all my systems. The only time I’ve ever had a true virus infection was when a less savvy roommate dragged in Nimda while he was downloading pr0n and it spread over the network like wildfire. That was about 4 years ago. Now that I live alone I’m not as concerned.

]]> By: RG http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72565 RG Wed, 15 Nov 2006 16:48:14 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72565 Before mentioning my choices I have to agree that stuff like Zone Alarm are becoming increasingly useless and buggier too, so a good choice is always a hardware firewall. Spybot, Ad-aware, AVG antivirus, and CCleaner here (AutoHotKey and Samurize for productivity) Before mentioning my choices I have to agree that stuff like Zone Alarm are becoming increasingly useless and buggier too, so a good choice is always a hardware firewall.
Spybot, Ad-aware, AVG antivirus, and CCleaner here (AutoHotKey and Samurize for productivity)

]]> By: Kip http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72561 Kip Wed, 15 Nov 2006 16:31:50 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72561 Nice list: I'd have Avast instead of AntiVir. I'd add CCleaner (privacy tool and registry cleaner), Foxit Reader (essential for PDF files),What's Running (a recent replacement in my toolbox for Sysinternal's Autoruns and Process Explorer), SIW (for a system audit), FreshUI (for system tweaking) and Spyware Terminator (free resident antispyware) Nice list: I’d have Avast instead of AntiVir. I’d add CCleaner (privacy tool and registry cleaner), Foxit Reader (essential for PDF files),What’s Running (a recent replacement in my toolbox for Sysinternal’s Autoruns and Process Explorer), SIW (for a system audit), FreshUI (for system tweaking) and Spyware Terminator (free resident antispyware)

]]> By: Tobey http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72554 Tobey Wed, 15 Nov 2006 15:37:19 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72554 Just check this out: http://www.listible.com/list/windows-opensource-and2For-freeware , everyone can choose something from this list. BTW as I think, you shouldn't forget to install Media Player Classic (QTA & RA), I couldn't live without it :) Just check this out: http://www.listible.com/list/windows-opensource-and2For-freeware , everyone can choose something from this list. BTW as I think, you shouldn’t forget to install Media Player Classic (QTA & RA), I couldn’t live without it :)

]]> By: Thinker http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72527 Thinker Wed, 15 Nov 2006 10:17:12 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72527 There is yet one must-have tool - Unblocker. When you get a message like: Cannot delete folder: It is beign used by another person or program use this one: http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/ (if link stop working, you can look for it by google) Really great tool There is yet one must-have tool – Unblocker.
When you get a message like:
Cannot delete folder: It is beign used by another person or program
use this one: http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/
(if link stop working, you can look for it by google)
Really great tool

]]> By: Cappella http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72525 Cappella Wed, 15 Nov 2006 10:01:49 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72525 Wow, there are definitely more very uesful freeware out there, but these are certainly my favourite ones as it help me solves lots of problems. Process Explorer - Number one diagnostic tool to help me see even clearly the processes running in my PC. Used to be from Sysinternals, but now bought over by Microsoft. Even use this to find spyware. Eraser - Military grade data scrubbing software. You can create any kinds of data scrubbing mechanism using this to ensure your data cannot be recovered by any means. Autohotkey - Use to automate repetitive tasks. I use this sometimes to automate some mouse clicks which require one to do it repeatedly for hundred over times. Can be difficult to master as it requires textual scripting. Wow, there are definitely more very uesful freeware out there, but these are certainly my favourite ones as it help me solves lots of problems.

Process Explorer – Number one diagnostic tool to help me see even clearly the processes running in my PC. Used to be from Sysinternals, but now bought over by Microsoft. Even use this to find spyware.

Eraser – Military grade data scrubbing software. You can create any kinds of data scrubbing mechanism using this to ensure your data cannot be recovered by any means.

Autohotkey – Use to automate repetitive tasks. I use this sometimes to automate some mouse clicks which require one to do it repeatedly for hundred over times. Can be difficult to master as it requires textual scripting.

]]> By: Abisurd http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72521 Abisurd Wed, 15 Nov 2006 09:10:02 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72521 SandBoys software (Revelation) is really outdated. The website was last updated about three years ago. Copyright information says its circa 2000. Does not work on Firefox, and failed on my IE session authenticating me to my Exchange Server. Also failed on Yahoo sign-in page and the Google sign-in page. I somehow feel that his product is designed for Windows native applications and does not work for browsers. SandBoys software (Revelation) is really outdated. The website was last updated about three years ago. Copyright information says its circa 2000. Does not work on Firefox, and failed on my IE session authenticating me to my Exchange Server. Also failed on Yahoo sign-in page and the Google sign-in page.

I somehow feel that his product is designed for Windows native applications and does not work for browsers.

]]> By: Martin http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72517 Martin Wed, 15 Nov 2006 08:40:04 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72517 Using Windows without a firewall and without updating all your software to the latest version is nothing I would recommend though. Make sure everything is up to date. Using Windows without a firewall and without updating all your software to the latest version is nothing I would recommend though. Make sure everything is up to date.

]]> By: Martin http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72516 Martin Wed, 15 Nov 2006 08:39:02 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72516 I have been using it with a direct connection (without hardware firewall) for most of the year. Had to switch to a new router (because of 16 mbit connection) and this one has a hardware firewall. I have been using it with a direct connection (without hardware firewall) for most of the year. Had to switch to a new router (because of 16 mbit connection) and this one has a hardware firewall.

]]> By: Magnus http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72514 Magnus Wed, 15 Nov 2006 08:22:39 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/15/top-xp-freeware-that-every-user-needs/#comment-72514 When choosing not to use a firewall, is that because you already are behind some hardware firewall or NAT router, or do you have your XP connected directly to the Internet (allowing incoming connections)? When choosing not to use a firewall, is that because you already are behind some hardware firewall or NAT router, or do you have your XP connected directly to the Internet (allowing incoming connections)?

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