Essential Free Windows Admin Security Software
One of the things that is always present in an IT admin’s mind is the need for security across computer systems. Hardly a week goes by that a household name either loses their customer’s credit card details or have their systems compromised. What’s more worrying is the many more companies that no doubt choose not to report their own security shortcomings.
Many systems administrators would argue that Linux provides a real alternative to Windows based networks and gives you better security and protection. This may be true, but the fact most home users and enterprises use Windows based network then those users need to be as secure as possible. So with this in mind I thought I’d share with you what I think to be the best peices of free software out there that will help you boost your security.
Antivirus
Antivirus should be the very very least you have installed on any personal computer. Most anti virus packages now run in real time so they can detect viruses as soon as the virus tries to run. They can also be incorporated into popular email clients to scan incoming and outgoing messages. Best of all they are often updated daily with new virus definitions meaning they’re giving you up to the minute protection.
Firewall
A firewall sits between your computer and the Internet analyzing the traffic to decide whether it poses a risk or not. While using routers and switches are examples of physical firewalls that offer some protection, software ones are more easily configured and managed. I would recommend Zonelab’s ZoneAlarm software. It has varying levels of protection but even the most basic is better than nothing!
Download Free ZoneAlarm Firewall
Spyware Adware Malware
Perhaps the most common problems Internet users face is having software on their PC that isn’t a virus but at the same time is harmful. Spyware is software that is usually installed without the users consent and records information about the users computer and transmits it over the Internet. Adware is linked to adverts, usually pop ups that appear on your PC without your consent. The most common form I’ve found these to be in are toolbars in Internet Explorer that appear at random. Malware is the more malicious software out there including viruses as well as rootkits, worms and trojans.
So for peace of mind that your PC is secure from damaging software that could compromise your safe use of the Internet I recommend Spybots, Adaware and HijackThis. They overlap somewhat on what they do but having all three free pieces of software will give you total protection.
Vulnerability Testing
This is a subject which I’ve only recently touched on but if you’re running a network then this software is for you. The thing about networks is that the devices on them are rarely the same meaning differences in hardware, software, operating systems and importance. Software like MS Baseline Analyzer and Nessus will scan all devices on a given network or IP range for security flaws that could be exploited. They will list the vulnerabilities by importance and provide solutions allowing fixes and the the security you need to have important systems running on the Internet.
Download Microsoft Baseline Analyzer
Further Steps
If you want to go a step further then a logical approach may be to use a proxy server such as Squid. As a proxy each user on the network goes though Squid to access the Internet. This means that certain websites can be blocked, files can be stopped from downloading and as this software runs as a cache it can speed up web access.
I hope you find these free peices of software suitable for your Windows security needs. If you want to suggest any more then please feel free to comment.
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