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• Ad-aware - Arguably the most popular free "anti spyware" utility, Ad-aware prevents programs from relaying information about your surfing habits to advertising companies. The program thoroughly scans your system registry and other folders to safely delete any rogue packages. Inexperienced computer users will also find Ad-aware easy to use. Its "wizard-style" interface allows for the step-by-step deletion of spyware.

• Eraser - A fine privacy and security tool for Microsoft Windows systems. Using a drag and drop facility, Eraser permanently deletes files so they cannot be recovered, even by the most advanced software. It's ideal for covering your tracks or for removing sensitive information from your PC. No uninstall utility (free or commercial) can bring back the files once you have deleted them with Eraser.

• ZoneAlarm - ZoneAlarm is widely regarded as the most popular freeware firewall. This program protects your computer from malicious hacker attacks, viruses and intruders. It will also notify you of any attempted break-ins and then advise on how to deal with them. As a user, you can customise your level of protection and also surf the Internet in "stealth mode", invisible from the outside world. (Recommended)
  > Whilst ZoneAlarm is a reliable firewall for home usage, users of older computers have often complained of the program hogging system resources. A system specification of Windows 2000 Pro/XP, with a Pentium III (450 MHz) processor or higher is recommended.
  > ZoneAlarm is free for individual and not-for-profit charitable entity use (excluding governmental entities and educational institutions).

• SpywareBlaster - Are you wary about spyware? You needn't be if you install SpywareBlaster. Unlike similar programs that scan, detect and then clean your computer of any programs attempting to monitor your actions, SpywareBlaster takes a different route and prevents them from being installed in the first place. Nobody has to put up with spyware thanks to this clever little program.

• HushMail - Provides an online e-mail service with extra security features. You can send mail to any person with an address, but to take advantage of their high 1024 bit encryption, your recipient must also have a HushMail account. After the hiccup with "Hotmail hackers", you should seriously consider this if handling mission critical e-mail. HushMail is robust, solid, reliable and extremely secure.

• mail2web - This service allows you to securely access your POP3 e-mail inbox from anywhere in the world. Ideal for when you're on the move (or when you need to access your messages remotely), mail2web functions very much like any other Web mail interface, and allows you to send mail, forward, compose and even delete messages on the fly. They also support WAP compatible mobile phone access.

• Cookie Monster - Follow the "Utilities" link at this site then scroll down to access the Cookie Monster information section. This program is a neat freeware utility, created so that you may have full control over cookies left on your computer. It allows you to scrutinise all cookies on your machine then delete the ones you don't want and save the ones you wish to keep (e.g. log-in details).

• Windows Defender - This free program developed by Microsoft provides a range of countermeasures to help protect you from spyware and similar security threats. Windows Defender's simple interface is a joy to use and enables you to both monitor and protect vulnerable system areas. The program can detect spyware before it causes any harm or eliminate rogue files once they become installed on your computer.
  > Microsoft provides automatic definition updates for Windows Defender to ensure the most recent security threats can be counteracted. To benefit from this, you must update the definition file regularly.
  > Unlike other "anti spyware" programs, Windows Defender constantly runs in the background and springs into action if a security threat is identified.

• ScramDisk - ScramDisk is a program that allows the creation and use of virtual encrypted drives. You create a container file on an existing hard drive which is allocated a specific password. This container can then be mounted by the ScramDisk software which creates a new drive letter to represent the drive. Only the correct password allows access. Without it, files are inaccessible. 

• ScrubXP - ScrubXP runs automatically when you start up your computer and offers a number of features, ideal for keeping your computer private. When activated, the program will delete all Internet Explorer History entries and temporary files, cookies and documents listed in the Windows "Start" menu. The Recycle Bin is also emptied and auto-complete on IE is refreshed. Follow the "Scrub XP" link (left hand nav bar).

• Cookie Cruncher - This is one of the best known cookie-killer programs on the Internet. The idea behind this piece of kit is to stop the activity of cookies on your machine. After browsing, all cookies collected can be deleted instantly, meaning any site looking for the information it cached earlier won't find it. Note: Cookie Cruncher is always being updated and now is very easy to upgrade.

• The-Cloak - A fine anonymous surfing tool that hides your identify from sites you visit, blocks cookies from entering your PC, allows you to remove Java applets and even post to message boards in complete privacy. The-Cloak carries everything from its own servers, meaning your IP address is never disclosed, sometimes even your local time isn't given away. It's a useful, although fairly basic free service.

• Whisper - Whisper stores all of your passwords in a locked file so that only authorised users with a "Whisper passcode" can access them. The program comes as freeware and has many features like automatic backups, the storage of every password in one secure file, private key encryption and much more besides. Whisper comes in a .zip file, so a compression utility would be useful.

• MailWasher - MailWasher allows you to manage any e-mail messages received before you download them, so only those you actually want will be delivered to your mail box. Although this freeware program is ideally suited to combating spam (junk mail), it also doubles as a virus checker and provides various tools to keep your privacy: an e-mail bouncer, blacklister, filtering rules, etc.

• Privacy.net - A huge resource for Internet privacy information. Here, you can opt to receive a full analysis of your Internet connection (including IP address). They tell you your screen resolution, Java Script status and lots more besides. The site also gives an in-depth round-up of all the things that can affect your privacy whilst online. Read all about it here (and be amazed what others may know). 

• HandyBits File Shredder - This cool program works in a similar way to a virtual shredding machine, permanently deleting your "sensitive" files so that they can never be retrieved. To use the program, you simply drag amd drop documents, etc. into a window, which in turn prompts you to confirm the deletion. If you accept to delete the document, it will be deleted, never to be read again.

• MultiProxy - MultiProxy is a freeware proxy server design specifically to protect your privacy whilst surfing the Internet. It can also completely hide your IP address from anybody by dynamically connecting you to various "non-transparent" anonymising public proxy servers. Note: this free version of MultiProxy is for personal and non-commercial use only. You may share it within the guidelines.