Free (1) Computer Utility Software for Nonprofits
November, 2004
by Bob Alston (Ntech Collaboartive Volunteer)
All are FREE for personal use and almost all are FREE for use by 501(c)(3) Organizations (1).
Introduction
Personal computers have become an important tool for individuals, students, families, businesses and other organizations. With the development of the World Wide Web, information is much more readily available and easily accessible. Spreadsheets allow complex computations to be accurate and quick. Database software such as Microsoft Access allows individuals to develop and maintain databases of information and to easily produce reports.
Unfortunately, there is an increase in destructive activity by those who create computer viruses, spyware and Trojan-horse software. These unwanted elements are pervasive and fast spreading. It is essential that personal computers be properly protected from such. Fortunately, a select group of software that either prevent or find and destroy such (or do both) are available which are free for personal use and many are free or offered at a discount for 501(c)(3) organizations.
What is a virus, worm and Trojan Horse? For a straightforward explanation, read this Microsoft web page:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/viruses/virus101.mspx
The following are my recommendations for software to protect PCs from viruses, spyware, Trojan horse and other unwanted pests.
The computer programs are divided into four groups:
- Firewall
- Popup Blocker
- AntiVirus
- Anti Spyware
1. Firewall
A firewall protects and isolates the passenger compartment of a car from heat and potential fire in the engine compartment of a car. Similarly, a computer firewall protects computers from various nasty programs and destructive people on the internet.
Hardware Firewall
If you have one or more computers connected to the internet in an always connected environment, such as a cable modem or DSL connection or other high speed internet link (e.g. not dial up via the telephone) you really need the protection of a hardware firewall. Such a device is often included in devices called a router or a wireless access point. They restrict the ability of programs in the internet from contacting your computer on an unsolicited basis. Typically, such programs only allow responses to requests sent out by you. Unsolicited traffic to your computer, in terms of programs trying to access various ports on your computer, is rejected.
A second benefit of such firewall devices is that they shield your computer from the internet. Using something called Network Address Translation or NAT, all requests from your PC are translated so that only the address of the router or firewall is sent over the internet. Even though your PC has an IP address, it is not used when actually accessing the internet. Similarly, programs out on the internet cannot even see your PCs IP address. This functions like a PO Box, which can receive mail, but mailers do not know your house street address even though it exists.
If you have wireless computer connections, your wireless access point probably provides for NAT and firewall protection. A router can do the same thing. If you do not have one of these, and your have an always-on connection to the internet, you need a hardware firewall device. YOU connect your high speed modem to this router, and then other computers plug into the router.
Routers are available for about $50 from retail stores such as Best Buy, CompUSA and many office supply stores. Talk to a sales person for assistance in selecting a unit for you.
Software Firewall
All PCs need a software firewall. Even if you have hardware firewall you need a software firewall.
If you dont have a hardware firewall, you need a software firewall to perform the same kind of protection. In my opinion, however, a hardware firewall is more reliable. In addition to the typical protection of a hardware firewall, the software firewall protects the internet from bad software that may make it on to your PC and starts using your PC to propagate onto the internet. Any program on your PC that wishes to access the internet must be given permission. This can be a remembered permission so you only have to approve such access once for any given piece of software.
This is important as it 1) can prevent proliferation of viruses and Trojans on the internet and 2) it can alert you to the presence of such software that can slow down your PC, so you can take action to eliminate it.
I recommend use of Zone Alarm by Zone Labs Inc. I use it personally. You can download it for free from this link:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp
Outbound traffic from your computer to the internet requires approval. For new programs, a pop up screen appears requesting approval or denial for internet access. If the program should be allowed internet access, you can click on Allow and check the remember box so you will not be asked this question again, and this program will always be permitted internet access.
2. Popup Blocker
Another problem often encountered when surfing the internet web is popup screens that appear and interfere with what you are trying to do. Usually they are trying to sell you something. They sure can be annoying.
If you have Microsofts Windows XP operating system, either Home or Professional editions, you should install Service Pack 2. This is available from Microsoft via their web site. Included in this update are many security protections. It also includes a built in popup blocker.
For information on downloading or ordering a CD with the latest WindowsXP updates, see: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389
If you dont have Windows XP, or have it but have not yet installed the Service Pack 2, you should consider using free popup stopper software. I recommend Window Shades
http://www.g-m-m.com/Software/WindowShades/
Also see this link for the results of testing of 10 completely free pop-up blockers:
http://www.popupcheck.com/pop_up_blocker.asp
3. AntiVirus
Most people are aware of viruses and know they should have antivirus software on their PC. Many new PCs come with trial antivirus software already installed. However, most trial software requires a license or subscription to updates after the expiration of the trial period. And most readily available antivirus software available in stores or listed in PC magazine articles is not cheap.
In addition to viruses there are other bad things that can get on your computer. Three types are spyware, Trojans and worms. Spyware is addressed in the next section.
Worms are programs designed to propagate themselves, to move from one infected computer to other computers. To see Symantecs distinction of a computer virus vs. a computer worm, look at
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/wormvsvirus.html
Trojan software is disguised software that looks to be innocuous but actually contains destructive or malicious software as a payload. The payload software could do almost anything.
So in addition to antivirus software, you need software to get rid of spyware, Trojan software and worms. Some antivirus software will also purge your PC of some Trojans and worms. Most wont touch spyware. Some anti-spyware will also detect and prevent or clean Trojans and worms
I firmly believe that every PC should have antivirus software installed and operating. It is also critically important that updates to the virus definitions be updated regularly. Without this, the antivirus software can quickly become useless.
Most antivirus software has an active component and a scan option. The active component is always running in the background, watching for viruses and eliminating them when identified. They typically have a scan option, that can scan your entire hard disk for viruses. This is important as you could catch a virus before your virus definitions are updated. Once updated, after the virus is already on your hard disk, the active component cannot protect you.
Recommended Antivirus AVG
I use and highly recommend AVG by Grisoft. Unfortunately, AVG offers a version which is free for personal, individual use but NOT FREE for 501(c)(3) organizations. But they do offer a discount for charitable organizations. And it is great software!
The standard price is $33.30 for a single license, $59 for 2 licenses and $109 for 5. They state they offer discounts of up to 30% for charities. The license duration is 2 years. Contact sales@grisoft.com to get an application for a discount.
They offer a 30 day free trial of the software so you can try it out to see if you like it. http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_trial.php
The software has an automatic capability to check for and download virus definition updates. As noted above, this is critical. And, the virus update definitions are included in the 2-year license.
It also has an always active component to scan files downloaded, copied or opened. So it is always running in the background.
It also provides for automatic scheduled scans of your disks for viruses. When a virus is identified, it will automatically heal the files wherever possible. I recommend you set this to scan your hard drive weekly.
Finally, it has plug-in components for selected e-mail software (I use it with outlook express) that checks incoming attachments, and outgoing attachments, adding a note that certifies the outgoing email as virus free.
If you get only one anti-virus software, this is the one!
Important NOTE: Be sure you remove any other antivirus software that has a resident component before you install this one. It is important that you run only one antivirus software that has a resident capability. Otherwise, they trip over each other!
Other Antivirus Software for Occasional Use
In addition to a resident antivirus software program, from time to time it makes sense to do scans of your hard drive using one or more different antivirus software. Different software catches different things. This is especially important to do when you think you may have a virus and you are not sure that your virus software has fixed it.
Panda Online Virus Scan
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm
Free online virus scanning software. Actually downloads the virus scanning software and automatically downloads updates to the virus definitions before running.
Note that you can disconnect while it is running and then reconnect when completed to retrieve the report.
Takes a long time to run but seems to occasionally catch things that AVG and other software doesnt catch.
Note, in case you have popup blocking software installed, when you click the Scan your PC button, it opens a popup. Be sure to temporarily disable popup blocking (typically by holding down the ctrl key when you click on the button.
I recommend you run this periodically, perhaps monthly.
RAV AntiVirus
http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/indexie.php
Free online virus scanner and cleaner.
WinPatrol
http://www.winpatrol.com/
Free antivirus and anti-spyware software. Has an always active component.
Avast!
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_cleaner.html
Free Virus cleaner and worm remover tool.
4. Anti Spyware
As noted above, in addition to viruses there are other bad things that can get on your computer. One type is called Spyware which tracks what you do, where you go on the computer and sometimes makes this information available to vendors. Other than that, spyware is generally not generally nasty or destructive but it is invasive.
Almost all web sites use some form of cookies, pieces of data kept about you and associated with a web site. Such helps to keep track of where you were last. Some of this are session only and are useful for helping you browse their site at one sitting or session. Sometimes, they track more things.
So in addition to antivirus software, you need software to get rid of spyware. Generally antivirus software wont touch spyware. However, some anti-spyware will also detect, prevent or clean Trojans and worms
I recommend that you install and use the four software projects listed below. Two are scanning type software which you must run periodically. The other two you run once and it stays resident in your PC and actually prevents infections!
Spybot Search & Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download
Provides for free online updates to definition files. Also, you can configure the software to check for updates automatically each time it is run (if you have a DSL or cable connection to the internet).
If you get only one anti-trojan/anti-spyware, this is the one.
You could use Windows automatic scheduling product to run this periodically.
I suggest you run this monthly.
Ad-Aware SE Lavasoft
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download506.html
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/
Addresses spyware, Trojans and other malware.
Provides for free definition updates. But you have to manually check for definition updates.
Sometimes catches things others do not.
If you get more than one anti-spyware product, this should be #2.
Spywareblaster
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Prevent the installation of spyware and other potentially unwanted pests. Prevents them from installing in the first place! Now thats a great idea.
Install this one! Once installed, it runs in the background and you never have to worry about it again.
Spywareguard
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html
SpywareGuard provides a real-time protection solution against spyware that is a great addition to SpywareBlaster's protection method.
Install this one also! Once installed, it runs in the background and you never have to worry about it again.
It is important that you take prudent steps to protect your computer and the important information it contains from these potential threats. The hardware and software identified above will serve as important protections for your computer.
Unfortunately this tends to get complicated rather fast. For help, feel free to contact Ntech Collaborative or the author at: bobalston9@aol.com .
Disclamer
I have made a good faith effort to correctly identify software as free for charitable organization use. If you find that there are errors in this stated in the document, please contact the author.
NOTES
(1) The one exception of free for charitable use is the AVG antivirus software. AVG is not free for 501(c)(3) organizations. But they do offer discounts. See section above on antivirus and AVG. |
