Useful free software to optimize and secure your system

Here’s a list of useful programs in different categories. Most of these programs are for Windows, but some of them are also open source and works for Linux. I only list programs that are free. I might update this post over time.

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Mozilla Firefox
The web-browser Firefox, has optional add-ons that you can install which makes it possible to extends the browsers functionality. I’ve picked out three add-ons that I find very useful. They speed up the browser and adds more security.

NoScript
It blocks all Javascript, Java and other malicious code from sites you don’t trust. Ever since I installed this, i’ve never had any spywares on my XP computer at all. A most have for people who wants a secure browser. My favorite add-on.

AdBlock Plus
Get rid of all those annoying banners and ads on websites.

Flash Block
Blocks all flash animations on all websites. If you want to play a certain flash animation though, just click on it, that’s what I like most about this add-on.

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Security
Zonealarm Firewall – A free version of the popular firewall Zonealarm. This software also has program control and port stealthing for example.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition – Free anti-virus program, that is easy to use, provides high level of detection capability and doesn’t use so much system resources.

Ad-Aware 2008 – Scan for spywares, data-mining, advertising, and tracking components in general.

Spybot Search & Destroy – Spyware cleaner that also has real time protection.

TrueCrypt – Open Source encryption software. Can encrypt partitions, make virtual drives and encrypt harddrives completely.

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Optimize and cleaning software
JkDefrag – Free disk defragmenter program. Optimizes your harddrive.

CCleaner – System optimization tool which cleans registry and removes temporary files. It’s very fast.