Category: Security

We often come across situations when we want to delete some files in such a way that nobody can recover them. The reasons vary from the need to deleting private or sensitive data regularly to getting rid of unwanted files like malware left-overs. We have previously discussed many free ware tools to achieve this goal. Zer0 from KC Softwares is a similar tool that helps you delete selected files beyond recovery.

If you have not enabled the Automatic Windows Update feature, then you are taking a big risk of exposing your system to many vulnerabilities that have already been patched by Microsoft. But if you insist on installing the Windows updates manually, then a simple freeware tool called Protector Plus Windows Vulnerability Scanner can help you out. It can scan your system for patches (or hotfixes) that you have not installed and give you a list of vulnerabilities your system is open to.

A botnet is a collection of internet connected zombie computers which are being controlled by cyber criminals through the bot malware like SpyEye, Zeus and Palevo. The most common way of a PC getting infected by bot malware is through drive-by-downloads. When you visit a specially crafted website, it automatically downloads bot malware on your PC and infects it. The free Mirage AntiBot tool updates your HOSTS file to block such attack sites.

These days cyber criminals are trying to hide attack scripts inside the comments or advertisements of good websites too. If you are doubtful about a website, then you can scan it using the free Quttera URL Scanner. It can scan all the elements of the target site for malicious files and suspicious scripts. It can detect known as well as new types of injected malicious scripts.

Private Tunnel is a free VPN (virtual private networking) service from OpenVPN Technologies Inc. It allows you to spoof your IP address, encrypt your data transfer over the internet and block attack websites. It is very useful if you are trying to access the geographically locked content. For example, the BBC website allows to watch free TV online only if you are from the UK. Using Private Tunnel, you can spoof your IP address and make it appear to be from UK and access those TV shows.

Contrary to the popular belief that you stay anonymous on the internet, you are actually exposed as soon as you visit websites. Your IP address can be used to identify you and locate you geographically on the world map. OkayFreedom VPN is a free virtual private networking (VPN) service that allows you to spoof your IP address, surf the web anonymously and access the blocked sites in your region.

The new trend in the PC malware is ransomware. The ransomware is a malware that locks your PC or encrypts the documents on your PC and demands you to transfer money to the cybercriminals account so that they can unlock your PC or decrypt the files. There are some ransomware like FBI Monkeypak and Reveton that have infected a multitude of people. You can use the free Anvi Rescue Disk to clean these types of known ransomware from your PC.

Modern malware capture your financial information using keylogging and screen capture methods. They record your keystrokes when you enter your login credentials into your banks website and then send it to cybercriminals server. You can protect yourself from such keyloggers by using free SpyShelter software. It is a freeware Windows application that blocks keyloggers, screen captures, webcam captures and sound recordings by unauthenticated programs.

More and more people are preferring WiFi networks over the traditional Ethernet cable based networks. The WiFi network is a tad costlier to install but it requires very little maintenance later and absolutely no cabling is needed. Because you do not need a cable connection, just about anyone can access your WiFi network making them easier to hack as well. SoftPerfect WiFi Guard is a small tool that helps you keep you WiFi network secure and protected.

SmokeScreen is a nifty little tool that can save you from being caught red-handed by your boss. The program allows you to take a full-screen capture of your working screen and displays at a single stroke of your mouse in any direction. This results in hiding your pleasure seeking activities (watching videos on youtube, hanging out with friends on Facebook) with a fullscreen image of your working screen – giving an illusion to your boss that you are working.