By: spy.assasin

AntiSpyware
- HijackThis v 1.99.1 (http://www.merijn.org/files/hijackthis.zip)

- Webroot SpySweeper (not a cracked version!) Detects Rootkits from guys like the creator of HackerDefender and uses a method somewhat like KHS (KillHideServices - http://hxdef.czweb.org/download/khs01.zip) to retrieve possible rootkits.

- Autoruns (http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/Autoruns.html) /HijackThis (Definitely help to resolve programs running at startup or hidden in a startup role deep in the registry)

AntiVirus (free)
- BitDefender Free (http://www.bitdefender.com/PRODUCT-14-ca--BitDefender-8-
Free-Edition.html) <-- This one is pretty good!

- AVG Antivirus (http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1)

- Avast! (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html)

Free Online Virus Scans
- Trend Micro (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/)

- BitDefender (http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html)

- Symantec (http://www.symantec.com/cgi-bin/securitycheck.cgi)

- ComputerAssociates /eTrust(http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx)

- Fsecure (http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml)

Basic Security Audit on your home pc
- Shields Up! (http://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?rh1dkyd2)

- AuditMyPC (http://www.auditmypc.com/)

- DSLreports Port Scan (http://www.dslreports.com/scan/)

- PCFlank (http://www.pcflank.com/faq.htm)

- TestMyFirewall (http://www.testmyfirewall.com/)

FIREWALL - A MUST HAVE
- Zone Alarm Pro (http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_zap.jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=CA&lang=en&lid=ho_zap)

- Black Ice Defender (http://www.digitalriver.com/dr/v2/ec_MAIN.Entry10?V1=253470&PN=1&SP=10023&xid=26412&CID=0&DSP=&CUR=840&PGRP=0&CACHE_ID=0)

- More choices (http://www.firewallguide.com/software.htm)


I'm sure I am missing a lot, so others can definitely post some more...

One app I wanted to point out that I love is ActivePorts (http://www.snapfiles.com/php/download.php?id=100150). Others may suggest FileMon, RegMon... I like those apps too, however, they are more for advanced users whereas ActivePorts gives you a readble/user friendly interface with somewhat of the same type of information.