Click on the links. Some will try to install immediately. Look for the download button. It will start sending it to your computer. Then click twice on the downloaded icon to begin installing the program. Other links will bring you to the creator’s Web page; follow instructions on each page to download or install the program.

If you would like more explanation and links click here to go to the Tech blog

General

CCleaner (recommended, but not for a beginner user) - Does a nice general cleaning of outdated and unused files.

Google Pack (recommended) - Just remove the parts you do not want It contains an antivirus and a spyware remover.

Spyware removers

Ad-aware (recommended) - Removes spyware and ad-ware; remember to keep it updated.

HiJackThis (Advanced) - Allows individual cleaning.

Spyware blockers

SpyWare Blaster - Prevents the installing of Spyware.

Anti Phishing Software

Spoofstick (recommended) - A simple browser extension that helps users fake websites, download is at the bottom of the page.

Virus Protection

AVG (recommended) - Antivirus protection tool; remember to keep it updated.

Avast - Antivirus protection tool; remember to keep it updated.

Pop Up Blockers  - Stops pop-up ads

Google Toolbar (recommended) - Stops pop-ups and gives you many Google extras.

Unzip Software

FreeZip - Small, fast and efficient Zip utility for compression and decompression of files

Web Browsers - Surf the Internet in a safer, faster, and easier way

Just by switching browsers from Internet Explorer you will greatly increase both your safety and convenience

Firefox (recommended) - Fast, full-featured Web browser that makes browsing more efficient than ever before.

Safari

Chrome - (recommended) Google's version of a Browser

Opera - Very fast and simple

Photo Editors

Picassa 2 (recommended) - Find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC.

Gimp - For such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring.

Office Software (Find out more)

Openoffice - An alternative to Microsoft Office software.

Adobe Acrobat Reader (recommended) - Allows you to open a PDF document; many government papers are in this format.

Miscellaneous Software

iTunes - Allows you to listen and organize your music. Also it has a music store and free podcasts. Get a tutorial soon.

Google Earth - View various locales and points of interest for planning, navigation and recreation. Get a tutorial soon.

QuickTime - Gives your computer the ability to view QuickTime movies or files.

Macromedia Flash Player (recommended) - Gives your computer the ability to view flash on the internet. This is becoming an essential.

Shockwave (recommended) - Gives your computer the ability to view shockwave on the internet. This is becoming an essential.

Back to Computer Learning