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Advice on free PC software, multimedia and web design for individuals and churches

Below are personal recommendations on programs and techniques for your consideration. (The adverts on the left will offer alternative commercial products and services)

Security

Spyware, hacker attacks and computer virus are part of web life I'm afraid. You will need the programs below or their equivalents. The goodnews is that the free programs below will give you good protection.

Antivirus software is expensive it typically costs Ł29.99 per annum. Thats right they bill you every year to get the update files.AVG by Grisoft is a free anti virus program - you can use it for free on a home computer but not a church computer. AVG make their money because home users who find AVG to be reliable are likely to purchase it for work. In the magazine tests it is well up with the brand leaders. In fact at least one of the brand leaders is coasting on its reputation. An antivirus program is essential for a home PC - you will get virii in your email. Don't over rely on your antivirus program, delete any suspicious emails without opening them.

Fire Wall

A firewall is essential if you have a broadband connection. Modem users are much less likely to be attacked because they aren't on line for long enough and they don't have a fixed address. For the most part Firewalls can be set up and then left to get on with it. From time to time they will report that one of your programs is asking to use the web. If you recognise it allow it - many programs use the web to update themselves. A free firewall is provided in XP (if you have been updating). I have a sneaking suspicion that this is the firewall that hackers are most likely to attack and crack so I have continued to use McAfee which my isp provided. Don't bother with reports of incidents (most of which are harmless anyway). Your ISP (internet service provider) will often supply a firewall free or use Zone Alarm which is available in a free version for non business use, or use the XP one. Don't try to use two firewalls they will just fall over each other. Stick with the default options. If you use a router (a device which allows two or more computers to network and share a web connection), be sure to change the default password, give your network a unique name not the default but write down what you change it too or else you wont be able to change the router settings. If you use a wireless network it can be accessed by someone nearby especially if your network is called "my network" change it to "Ezekiel37"

Spyware removal

Spyware is little programs dropped into your computer from certain websites which then slow your machine and report back on your internet use to their makers. Its not a bad idea to have two of the free spy ware removal programs and use them alternatively to remove this junk. Lavasofts ad-aware is the one which I use in addition to the one which came free from my ISP. Spy-bot is also commonly used.

All of the above programme are completely free - and are as good as their commercial rivals. Indeed I recently uninstalled a big brand antivirus program which was causing me problems in favour of AVG.

Passwords

Beware of using one password for everything on the net. Your money is at risk. Also try not to let a supplier keep your credit card details. If finance is involved then use a strong password. A weak password is something that is easily guessed - your first name or a spouses name or a childs name. Dont use your pin as part of a password. A strong password is A7cq456ga5bhk of course it is impossible to remember so most of us comprimise something like F7R4E7D for example.

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