Firefox
This PC Mag Editors’ Choice web browser has been on top of the heap since version 1.5 came out in late 2005.
GIMP
www.gimp.org
The GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) does most of what Photoshop does; the Gimpshop project (plasticbugs.com) even makes it look like Photoshop.
OpenOffice.org
www.openoffice.org
You can spend a lot for Microsoft Office or nothing for this suite with full-function word processor, spreadsheet, database, presentations, even an equations editor.
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
free.grisoft.com
Windows Its control center is awkward, but AVG
scans files on demand, upon access, on a schedule, and in e-mail. Its rescue disks will help you recover from disaster.
NanoScan
www.nanoscan.com
Web In less than a minute, NanoScan can analyze all processes running on your computer and identify viruses, Trojan horses, spyware, or other malicious programs.
ShieldsUP!
www.grc.com
Web Be sure your fire-walls are keeping your always-on Internet connection hidden from attackers. Shields-UP! provides a quick confirmation.
Hotspot Shield
www.anchorfree.com
Windows Create an instant virtual private network (VPN) tunnel between your laptop and the router at any Wi-Fi hot spot to protect your data from snoops on the public airwaves, even if you’re using extra encryption. If you’re on a network that limits the use of certain apps (such as Skype), the VPN could give you unfettered access. It even works with your wired connection for an extra layer of security.
mint
www.mint.com
Web Mint isn’t like Quicken, where you enter in all your transactions. Instead, it syncs with your bank and credit card accounts online, checks your spending habits, and tells you how to improve to save money. If you’re not paying attention to your spending, it’ll send you regular alerts to inform you where your money has gone (nice for making sure you haven’t been ripped off).
Plaxo
www.plaxo.com
Web Perhaps the ultimate online address book, Plaxo is enhanced with the superpowers of a social network and plug-ins for many Web-based services like Flickr, YouTube, Twitter and LiveJournal for sharing across the Internet.
PassPack
www.passpack.com
Web Pack away all your passwords in this secure online vault; it even logs you in to Web sites.
SyncToy v2.0
www.microsoft.com/downloads
Windows Make sure folders across your networked computers contain the same files, even on drives that change location and name.
Defraggler
www.defraggler.com
Windows Defragment your entire hard drive-or just one heavily fragmented file at a time.
Google Desktop
desktop.google.com
Let Google index and search your hard drive contents. The sidebar adds graphical widgets to your desktop.
PrinterAnywhere
www.printeranywhere.com
Windows Share your printer with others over the Web; in turn, send jobs to other shared printers, no matter their location.
Picasa
www.picasa.com
Google’s photo manager makes it easy to get pictures off a digital camera, organize them, and even edit and share them.