| Microsoft Windows Update | Your first destination to automatically check your machine has the latest critical patches. Essential. |
| Microsoft Safety Scanner | A free scanner that is frequently updated and only works for 10 days from download to ensure that the definitions are up to date. |
| Microsoft Security Essentials | A free, realtime antivirus detection program that updates upon scheduled intervals. Very lightweight in operation, it's particularly good at detecting infections in Microsoft's own products. |
| Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer | A good tool to start off checking any vulnerabilities in your build. |
| Microsoft Security Tools | A whole raft of security tools from Microsoft. |
| Zone Alarm | Checkpoint Software's ZoneAlarm is probably the best software firewall on the market. The free version is very good. The Pro version includes some extra features including a log showing who has tried breaking into your system. |
| Shields Up! | So you think you've set up your firewall well? Try testing it out using the free Shields Up! utility from Gibson Research Corporation. |
| SpyBot Search and Destroy | SpyBot Search and Destroy is perhaps one of the best anti-spyware programs out there. Highly recommended to prevent those nasty pop-up web pages. |
| JavaCool Software | Home of SpywareBlaster and other tools. An alternative to SpyBot. |