Free security softwares for Windows Vista

Although Microsoft says that their latest operating system, Windows Vista, is more secure than their previous operating systems, but we still need to install other security softwares to enhance the protection.

If you don’t have money to spend to buy security applications for your Windows Vista, here I will share with you free security softwares that you can use for your system. No money is required but you still need to pay for your internet subscription.

I have divided this entry into three sections, Antivirus, Firewall and Anti-Spyware. You can click on the page number below to go through the sections.

ANTIVIRUS

AVG Antivirus [ Website | Download ]
AVG is a well known free antivirus solution to computer users. It is not only free-of-charge, it is also easy to use and not slow your computer down.

Features:

• Automatic update functionality
• The AVG Resident Shield, which provides real-time protection as files are opened and programs are run
• The AVG E-mail Scanner, which protects your e-mail
• The AVG On-Demand Scanner, which allows the user to perform scheduled and manual tests
• The AVG heueristic analysing monitor
• Free Virus Database Updates for the lifetime of the product
• AVG Virus Vault for safe handling of infected files

avast! 4 Home Edition [ Website | Download ]
Avast! is another good freeware antivirus software for your Windows Vista. With simple user interface and some other extra protections like P2P and IM shield, Avast! is a good antivirus to all home computer users.

Features:

• Antivirus kernel
• Simple User Interface
• Resident protection
• P2P and IM Shields
• Network Shield
• Web Shield
• and more…

Avira AntiVir [ Website | Download ]
Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic can protect your computer against computer viruses and other threats. This antivirus is included with Internet-Update Wizard for better updating and also can detects and removes viruses easily. And it is also protect you from spywares and adwares.

Features:

• Detects and removes more than 150,000 viruses
• Always among the winners of comparison test featured in computer journals
• The resident Virus Guard serves to monitor file movements automatically, e.g. downloading of data from the internet
• Scanning and repair of macro viruses
• Protection against previously unknown macro viruses
• And more…

FIREWALL

Firewall is not a wall with fire. Lol… It is actually like a guard who is standing in front of your door and checks for any intruders. If an intruder is found, the guard will block him and will not allow him to enter your house.

Microsoft Vista has a built in firewall with name Microsoft Vista Firewall. But it is not enough and not so powerful. We want more, with more features and settings. Currently there are not many free firewalls available for Vista. Hopefully there will be more developers will develop free firewalls that support Vista.

PC Tools Firewall Plus [ Website | Download ]
PC Tools Firewall Plus is a powerful Windows firewall that will block any unauthorized users from gaining access to your system. It is also can stop Trojan, backdoors, keyloggers and other malware from damaging your computer and stealing your private information.

Features:

• Protects your PC as you are working, surfing and playing.
• Intelligent automatic protection without all the questions.
• Easy to use. Designed for both, novice and expert users.
• Advanced rules to protect your PC against common attacks.
• Best of all it’s FREE. No catches, limitations or time-limits.

ANTI-SPYWARE

When we talk about anti-spywares, two names came into my mind. There are Spybot Search & Destroy and Lavasoft Ad-Aware.

Spybot Search & Destroy [ Website | Download ]
Spybot Search & Destroy so far is the best anti-spyware application I ever use. Not only because it is free, it is also good in protecting my PC from spywares and adwares. Although you don’t see anything, but, your computer may be infected. So, this software is a must for every PCs.

Lavasoft Ad-Aware [ Website | Download ]
Another option is Lavasoft Ad-Aware. It is another good anti-spyware for your computer. It serves you advanced protection against spyware that secretly attaches and takes control of your computer. But if you want real-time protection, you can upgrade it to Ad-Aware SE Plus!.

Features:

• User-controlled spyware removal
• Customizable Scans
• Code Sequence Identification (CSI) technology
• Extensive Lavasoft Detection Database
• ADS scan
• Blocks browser hijackers
• Quarantine manager

With security in mind, I hope your lovely Vista computer will be more secure by using these softwares. But take note, paid softwares usually serve you more and far better protection and they also use more resources.

Btw if you have any other suggestions for the free security softwares for Windows Vista, kindly leave the comment below. Thank you.