Security - Reviews

Sentry Parental Controls

RRP: TBA

AVG (AU/NZ) Anti-Virus 8.0 Free

Review Date: 26-MAY-2008

RRP: $0.00

Even if it wasn't free, AVG Anti-Virus 8.0 Free would be a good antivirus product.

Review Date: 13-MAY-2008

PC Tools ThreatFire 3.5

RRP: $0.00

ThreatFire adds a worthwhile layer of security for your computer. Even more impressively, it's free.

Review Date: 19-JUN-2007

Lavasoft Ad-Aware 2007

RRP: $0.00

Ad-Aware 2007 Free is a solid post-infection tool. If you don't want to dredge up the money to purchase real-time protection with Ad-Aware Plus or Pro, we recommend this free version as a utility that savvy users shouldn't be without. However, as threats become more sophisticated, the real-time protection available with the Plus and Pro versions should be a strong consideration.

Acronis Privacy Expert Suite 8.0

Review Date: 10-JAN-2006

RRP: Unavailable

As a standard spyware stopper, Acronis is simple to use - but it isn't exactly revolutionary. The secure deletion facility will be of use to the paranoid or those looking to wipe old hardware before disposing of it, but could be considered overkill for everyday use.

Alwil Avast Antivirus Home Edition

Review Date: 31-AUG-2009

RRP: $0.00

Alwil Avast Antivirus Home Edition will do a decent job protecting a PC from malware, and it's free, but if you're willing to put up with a less-than-perfect interface (and some ads), you're better off going with Avira's top-notch blocking.

Zone Labs ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6

Review Date: 01-OCT-2005

RRP: Unavailable

Suite protects against a wide range of baddies and adds much-needed anti-spyware features, but it may require too much hand-holding for some users.

Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta1

Review Date: 16-MAY-2005

RRP: $0.00

A welcome addition, but don't trash your existing tools yet.

Review Date: 24-FEB-2006

Avast 4 Home Edition

RRP: $0.00

With a wide array of protections for your PC, Avast! works superbly to keep your computer safe, a rare thing in free software.

Lavasoft Ad-Aware Personal Edition

Review Date: 20-MAR-2006

RRP: $0.00

Probably the best free anti-spyware software currently available. Combine it with a few other freebies and you’ll never be troubled by pop-ups again.

Review Date: 17-MAY-2006

Merjin HijackThis V1.99

RRP: $0.00

As the most powerful anti-spyware program available online HijackThis is also the most complicated. It is extremely useful for removing problems other programs just can’t crack.

Internet, Security

Review Date: 06-MAY-2009

Nir Sofer IECookiesView

RRP: $0.00

A useful free utility; we like IECookiesView.

Safer Networking Spybot Search and Destroy

Review Date: 22-MAR-2006

RRP: $0.00

Combine this with other free software and you’ll ensure your PC stays well protected and operating properly.

Review Date: 31-AUG-2009

Avira Antivir Personal

RRP: $0.00

Some less-than-friendly default behaviours make Avira AntiVir Personal a better choice for tech-savvy users who know how to muck about in the settings. If you're willing to put up with a somewhat clumsy interface and the recurring pop-up ads, in return you'll enjoy top-notch, free protection against malware. It's not a bad trade-off by any means.

AVG Technologies 8.5 Free

Review Date: 09-SEP-2009

RRP: $0.00

AVG 8.5 Free is well-rounded overall, but its second-tier malware detection rate should make you consider one of the better-performing programs first.