Selected computer security tools

Here are a few links about certain computer security tools that I have repeatedly suggested to friends and family members:

• Microsoft Security Essentials -- Free antivirus / antispyware
  
• PC World review of beta version
  
• Ars Technica revew
  

• Secunia Software Inspector -- Use one of these to check your installed programs for vulnerabilities:
  
• Online Software Inspector -- scans from web page
  
• Personal Software Inspector -- download version that monitors PC continuously
  

• OpenDNS -- Can be set in your router or in each PC individually. For a laptop that is used elsewhere to access the Internet, it should be set up in the laptop even if set up in the home router. For a household with many PCs, especially children's, the router may be a good place to set it. The optional user account can enable more powerful and customized filtering of web sites.
  

• Password Managers
• SplashID -- I use on my PDA. It syncs with the version on my PC.
  
• Password Safe -- Free. Duplicates what I have on SplashID. Has a nice Auto Type feature that provides single-keystroke entry of userid & password at a web site's log-in screen.
  
• LastPass -- A web-based password manager; I have not used it.

• File Shredder -- Can process individual files or entire folders and their subfolders with contained files. Example of the latter usage is to shred the entire "Documents and Settings" folder of a PC being recycled or discarded.
  

• CCleaner -- Excellent product for cleaning up software debris that accumulates in your PC.
  

• Drop My Rights -- A free utility from Microsoft that reduces the administrative rights of a web browser, email program, or media player to prevent most accidental installations of malicious software when using these routine programs.
  
  

Electronics Recycling
Off topic, but included here for convenience. See the blog posting about Technical Knock Out, a good place for recycling old computers.