Security Tools

This page does not deal with configuring security (permissions), but lists some basic security tools that may help you protect your computers from viruses and malware.

By now, every sane computer user will be aware that some form of anti-virus and anti-malware is required for Windows computers.
As the list grew too long and changed too frequently, I removed the anti-virus, anti-malware and firewall sections.
Just use your preferred search engine to find a decent anti-malware solution.
Do some research, though, preferably before downloading and/or buying anti-malware software — there are many "rogue" (a.k.a. fake and even malicious) "anti"-malware software vendors!
If you aren't sure, stick with the "big guys" like EmsiSoft, Kaspersky, BitDefender, Avira, Avast, Norton, VIPRE etc.
Most have a free (trial) version available.
But still you'd better do some research before using and/or buying it.

• Prevention
  • Security Check / Patch Management
  • Password Management
  • Encryption
  • Privacy Protection
  • Miscellaneous Prevention
• Detection
  • Laptops
  • Miscellaneous Detection
• Repair / Recovery / Removal
• Related Stuff

Prevention
Prevention
Security Check / Patch Management
Security Check / Patch Management
Product		Function		Programmer / Manufacturer		Download	Buy
beITsmart		Online enterprise version of Belarc Advisor		Belarc		💾	🛒
beITsmart
Online enterprise version of Belarc Advisor
Belarc
💾	🛒
Belarc Advisor		List installed hardware, software & license numbers, missing Microsoft hotfixes, anti-virus status & CIS benchmarks		Belarc		💾	🛒
Belarc Advisor
List installed hardware, software & license numbers, missing Microsoft hotfixes, anti-virus status & CIS benchmarks
Belarc
💾	🛒
BrowserCheck		Check security patches of browsers and plugins		Qualys		💾	Free
BrowserCheck
Check security patches of browsers and plugins
Qualys
💾	Free
JavaRa		Update JRE and		SingularLabs		💾	Free (donations welcome)
JavaRa
Update JRE and
SingularLabs
💾	Free (donations welcome)
Kaspersky Software Updater		Scan your PC for security-critical software and update it		Kaspersky Lab		💾	Free
Kaspersky Software Updater
Scan your PC for security-critical software and update it
Kaspersky Lab
💾	Free
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer		Check your Windows installation for vulnerabilities		Microsoft		💾	Free
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
Check your Windows installation for vulnerabilities
Microsoft
💾	Free
Microsoft Security Assessment Tool		Assess weaknesses in your IT security environment		Microsoft		💾	Free (validation required)
Microsoft Security Assessment Tool
Assess weaknesses in your IT security environment
Microsoft
💾	Free (validation required)
Microsoft Security Compliance Manager		Configure and manage your computers using Group Policy and SCCM		Microsoft		💾	Free
Microsoft Security Compliance Manager
Configure and manage your computers using Group Policy and SCCM
Microsoft
💾	Free
Office Update Inventory Tool		Check status of Microsoft Office updates		Microsoft		💾	Free
Office Update Inventory Tool
Check status of Microsoft Office updates
Microsoft
💾	Free
Patch My PC		Scan your PC for security-critical software and update it		Patch My PC		💾	Free
Patch My PC
Scan your PC for security-critical software and update it
Patch My PC
💾	Free
Qualys FreeScan		Detect vulnerabilities on your Internet-facing server		Qualys			Free
Qualys FreeScan
Detect vulnerabilities on your Internet-facing server
Qualys
	Free
Qfecheck		Command line utility to verify the installation of Windows 2000 and Windows XP hotfixes		Microsoft		💾	Free (validation required)
Qfecheck
Command line utility to verify the installation of Windows 2000 and Windows XP hotfixes
Microsoft
💾	Free (validation required)
Symantec Online Security Check		Online security scanner		Symantec			Free
Symantec Online Security Check
Online security scanner
Symantec
	Free
Windows Server Update Services		Deliver updates to corporate environments from Microsoft Update		Microsoft		💾	Free
Windows Server Update Services
Deliver updates to corporate environments from Microsoft Update
Microsoft
💾	Free
Password Management
Password Management
Product		Function		Programmer / Manufacturer		Download	Buy
Kaspersky Password Manager		Password manager		Kaspersky Lab		💾	Free
Kaspersky Password Manager
Password manager
Kaspersky Lab
💾	Free
KeePass Password Safe		Open source password manager		Dominik Reichl		💾	Free (donations welcome)
KeePass Password Safe
Open source password manager
Dominik Reichl
💾	Free (donations welcome)
LastPass		Password manager		LastPass		💾	Free
LastPass
Password manager
LastPass
💾	Free
LastPass Premium		Password manager		LastPass		💾	🛒
LastPass Premium
Password manager
LastPass
💾	🛒
Password Checker		Test the strength of your passwords		Microsoft			Free
Password Checker
Test the strength of your passwords
Microsoft
	Free
RoboForm		Automated password manager & form filler		Siber Systems		💾	🛒
RoboForm
Automated password manager & form filler
Siber Systems
💾	🛒
Saved Password Editor		Improved password management add-on for FireFox		Daniel Dawson		💾	Free
Saved Password Editor
Improved password management add-on for FireFox
Daniel Dawson
💾	Free
Encryption
Encryption
Product		Function		Programmer / Manufacturer		Download	Buy
CryptoStorage		Encrypt logical, removable or virtual disks, files and/or folders		InfoWatch		💾	🛒
CryptoStorage
Encrypt logical, removable or virtual disks, files and/or folders
InfoWatch
💾	🛒
Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs		Centrally control EFS settings on all your PCs		Microsoft		💾	Free
Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs
Centrally control EFS settings on all your PCs
Microsoft
💾	Free
File Checksum Integrity Verifier (FCIV)		MD5 and SHA1 file checksum calculator		Microsoft		💾	Free
File Checksum Integrity Verifier (FCIV)
MD5 and SHA1 file checksum calculator
Microsoft
💾	Free
StringHash		MD5 and SHA* string checksum calculator		Rob van der Woude		💾	Free (donations welcome)
StringHash
MD5 and SHA* string checksum calculator
Rob van der Woude
💾	Free (donations welcome)
SysKey		Secures/encrypts the Windows (XP) SAM accounts database		Microsoft		Native in Windows XP and later
SysKey
Secures/encrypts the Windows (XP) SAM accounts database
Microsoft
Native in Windows XP and later
Privacy Protection
Privacy Protection
Product		Function		Programmer / Manufacturer		Download	Buy
Adobe Flash Player Settings		Manage security settings for Adobe Flash player		Adobe			Free
Adobe Flash Player Settings
Manage security settings for Adobe Flash player
Adobe
	Free
DelFlash.bat		Delete "Local Stored Objects" ("Flash Cookies") (3)		Rob van der Woude		💾	Free (donations welcome)
DelFlash.bat
Delete "Local Stored Objects" ("Flash Cookies")
Rob van der Woude
💾	Free (donations welcome)
FlashCookiesCleaner		Delete "Local Stored Objects" ("Flash Cookies") (3)		Mixesoft		💾	Free
FlashCookiesCleaner
Delete "Local Stored Objects" ("Flash Cookies")
Mixesoft
💾	Free
Ghostery		Detect and control online tracking elements (Firefox/Chrome add-in)		Ghostery		💾	Free
Ghostery
Detect and control online tracking elements (Firefox/Chrome add-in)
Ghostery
💾	Free
Google Redirects Fixer & Tracking Remover		Replace redirected URLs in Google Search results by their "final" target URL		Agustí Méndez		💾	Free
Google Redirects Fixer & Tracking Remover
Replace redirected URLs in Google Search results by their "final" target URL
Agustí Méndez
💾	Free
IEHistoryViewer		Browse IE's history and/or remove selected entries		NirSoft		💾	Free
IEHistoryViewer
Browse IE's history and/or remove selected entries
NirSoft
💾	Free
O&O AppBuster		Manage Unwanted Windows 10 Apps		O&O Software GmbH		💾	Free
O&O AppBuster
Manage Unwanted Windows 10 Apps
O&O Software GmbH
💾	Free
O&O ShutUp10		Manage Windows 10 Privacy Settings		O&O Software GmbH		💾	Free
O&O ShutUp10
Manage Windows 10 Privacy Settings
O&O Software GmbH
💾	Free
Miscellaneous Prevention
Miscellaneous Prevention
Product		Function		Programmer / Manufacturer		Download	Buy
Adobe Flash Player Settings		Manage security settings for Adobe Flash player		Adobe			Free
Adobe Flash Player Settings
Manage security settings for Adobe Flash player
Adobe
	Free
AskAdmin		Block applications, folders and/or files		Sordum		💾	Free limited edition, pay to unlock advanced features
AskAdmin
Block applications, folders and/or files
Sordum
💾	Free limited edition, pay to unlock advanced features
Attack Surface Analyzer		Catalogue changes made to the OS attack surface by the installation of new software		Microsoft		💾	Free
Attack Surface Analyzer
Catalogue changes made to the OS attack surface by the installation of new software
Microsoft
💾	Free
CryptoPrevent		Prevent infection by Cryptolocker malware or "ransomware"		Foolish IT		💾	🛒
CryptoPrevent
Prevent infection by Cryptolocker malware or "ransomware"
Foolish IT
💾	🛒
Dan Pollock's HOSTS file		Set IP address 127.0.0.1 for maliscious or unwanted sites		Dan Pollock		💾	Free
Dan Pollock's HOSTS file
Set IP address 127.0.0.1 for maliscious or unwanted sites
Dan Pollock
💾	Free
Free Hide Folder		Hide files and folders (2)		Cleanersoft.com		💾	Free (donations welcome)
Free Hide Folder
Hide files and folders
Cleanersoft.com
💾	Free (donations welcome)
LUA Buglight		Trace and fix LUA bugs		Aaron Margosis		💾	Free
LUA Buglight
Trace and fix LUA bugs
Aaron Margosis
💾	Free
McAfee Wi-Fi Scan		Online Wi-Fi security check (Internet Explorer 5+)		McAfee			Free
McAfee Wi-Fi Scan
Online Wi-Fi security check (Internet Explorer 5+)
McAfee
	Free
MyUSBOnly		Manage access to removable media		MyUSBOnly		💾	🛒
MyUSBOnly
Manage access to removable media
MyUSBOnly
💾	🛒
NetWrix USB Blocker		Manage access to removable media (6)		NetWrix		💾	Free
NetWrix USB Blocker
Manage access to removable media
NetWrix
💾	Free
NoAutoRun		Block viruses in USB flash/disk from auto-running		NoAutoRun Team		💾	Free
NoAutoRun
Block viruses in USB flash/disk from auto-running
NoAutoRun Team
💾	Free
NoAutoRun.bat		Block Windows' AutoRun.inf feature		Scott Dunn (.reg), Rob van der Woude (.bat)		💾	Free
NoAutoRun.bat
Block Windows' AutoRun.inf feature
Scott Dunn (.reg), Rob van der Woude (.bat)
💾	Free
OpenDNS (for home use)		Web filtering at the DNS level		OpenDNS.com			Free
OpenDNS (for home use)
Web filtering at the DNS level
OpenDNS.com
	Free
OpenDNS		Web filtering at the DNS level		OpenDNS.com		N/A	🛒
OpenDNS
Web filtering at the DNS level
OpenDNS.com
N/A	🛒
Securable		Check which security features (64-bit instruction, DEP, virtualization) your CPU supports (4)		Steve Gibson		💾	Free
Securable
Check which security features (64-bit instruction, DEP, virtualization) your CPU supports
Steve Gibson
💾	Free
SSL Blacklist		Firefox add-on to detect unsafe SSL certificates (5)		CodeFromThe70s.org		💾	Free
SSL Blacklist
Firefox add-on to detect unsafe SSL certificates
CodeFromThe70s.org
💾	Free
SSL Guardian		Internet Explorer add-on to detect unsafe SSL certificates (5)		Heise Online		💾	Free
SSL Guardian
Internet Explorer add-on to detect unsafe SSL certificates
Heise Online
💾	Free
Windows SteadyState		Restrict acces and/or undo any system or file modifications		Microsoft		💾	Free (validation required)
Windows SteadyState
Restrict acces and/or undo any system or file modifications
Microsoft
💾	Free (validation required)
Detection
Detection
Laptops
Laptops
Product		Function		Programmer / Manufacturer		Download	Buy
LAlarm (for home use)		Emits a loud siren sound when an USB stick is removed (requires an old USB stick that can be tied to the furniture) (7)		LAlarm		💾	Free
LAlarm (for home use)
Emits a loud siren sound when an USB stick is removed (requires an old USB stick that can be tied to the furniture)
LAlarm
💾	Free
Laptop Alarm		Emits a loud alarm when someone tries to steal your laptop (1)		Syfer.nl		💾	🛒
Laptop Alarm
Emits a loud alarm when someone tries to steal your laptop
Syfer.nl
💾	🛒
Miscellaneous Detection
Miscellaneous Detection
Product		Function		Programmer / Manufacturer		Download	Buy
RUBotted		Check if your computer is part of a botnet		Trend Micro		💾	Free
RUBotted
Check if your computer is part of a botnet
Trend Micro
💾	Free
TDSSKiller		Quickly detect and remove both known and unknown rootkits		Kaspersky Lab		💾	Free
TDSSKiller
Quickly detect and remove both known and unknown rootkits
Kaspersky Lab
💾	Free
VirusTotal		Free online virus, malware and URL scanner		VirusTotal (subsidiary of Google)			Free
VirusTotal
Free online virus, malware and URL scanner
VirusTotal (subsidiary of Google)
	Free
Repair / Recovery / Removal
Repair / Recovery / Removal
Recovery
Recovery
Product		Function		Programmer / Manufacturer		Download	Buy
Emsisoft Emergency Kit Free		Cleanup after infection		Emsi Software		💾	Free
Emsisoft Emergency Kit Free
Cleanup after infection
Emsi Software
💾	Free
Emsisoft Emergency Kit Pro		Cleanup after infection		Emsi Software		N/A	🛒
Emsisoft Emergency Kit Pro
Cleanup after infection
Emsi Software
N/A	🛒
Sophos Virus removal Tool		Return an infected computer to a working state		Sophos		💾	Free (registration required)
Sophos Virus removal Tool
Return an infected computer to a working state
Sophos
💾	Free (registration required)
System File Checker (SFC)		Repair missing or corrupted system files		Microsoft		Native in Windows XP and later
System File Checker (SFC)
Repair missing or corrupted system files
Microsoft
Native in Windows XP and later
Stinger		Cleanup after infection		McAfee		💾	Free
Stinger
Cleanup after infection
McAfee
💾	Free
VIPRE PC Rescue		Scan and clean heavily infected PCs where installation of AV software is no longer possible		ThreatTrack Security Inc		💾	Free
VIPRE PC Rescue
Scan and clean heavily infected PCs where installation of AV software is no longer possible
ThreatTrack Security Inc
💾	Free

Related Stuff:

• Batch commands to manage security settings (i.e. permission)
• A discussion of the (poorly documented) root/SecurityCenter2 WMI namespace
• How do I restore security settings to a known working state?
• Microsoft's Account Lockout and Management Tools
• Use OpenDNS to protect your network against Conficker-like threats
• Elaborating on the previous item, you can use the following commands to completely disable Autorun:
  :: Stop and disable autorun for removable media (effective immediately)
SC Stop ShellHWDetection
SC Config ShellHWDetection start= disabled
:: Disable autorun.inf (effective after next reboot)
SET RegKey=HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\IniFileMapping\Autorun.inf
REG Add "%RegKey%" /ve /d "@SYS:DoesNotExist" /t REG_SZ /f
• More on disabling autorun and autoplay:
  The NoDriveTypeAutoRun policy setting
  The AutoRunAlwaysDisable setting for CDROM drives
  Use GPEDIT.MSC to disable Autorun for removable media in Windows 7
• Use SecLogin.bat to prevent display of the last username at logon, require Ctrl+Alt+Del to login, and use the "classic" login dialog instead of Windows XP's welcome screen
• Use SecPol.msc to prevent display of the last username at logon and require Ctrl+Alt+Del to login in Vista and Windows 7
• The ultimate guide to desktop Linux security by Jon Watson
• Use CheckShortURL to check where short URLs will redirect to
• TopVPNCanada's article on Anonymous Search Engine: Protect Against Tracking
• BestVPN's Complete Firefox Privacy and Security Guide