Uninstalling the Foxit Reader (adware?) will not help you to uninstall the toolbar; you can only disable it from the browser. So, beware while installing this new version (v.3.0).

It is interesting to know that this new browser considers each and every parts of a website like iframe, subframe, etc as some of these are commonly used for inserting malicious code on a site.

Gazelle is still in prototype and those who like to know more about this project, a PDF document is available for download from Microsoft research lab. [via]

From my experience Nod32 is not that much problematic. After performed a normal uninstall, you can perform a manual clean-up as described here. But it required registry tweaking and is suitable for advanced users only.

However, if you have any problems when uninstalling or installing Nod32 product here is a free tool from Nod32 Netherlands., just download Nod32 Removal tool(176Kb, v.1.0.0.2) and run the program, select ‘yes’ to finish the job. Note that the program interface language is Dutch. [via]

This dangerous programs monitors traffic and keystrokes and make a backdoor into the system for the hacker's use. Rootkits are often hiding their presence from virus scanners, so, only a scanner specialized in this type of malware can help.

Here is a good program, Radix Anti-rootkit that uses sophisticated methodologies and removes pests and manipulated drivers, system files and processes from your system.

How to use it? Download Radix Anti-rootkit (free, 162Kb), unzip and run it from a USB stick (so windows file protection doesn’t get in the way of the tool). Check all options under ‘1-click Check’ tab. Ignore all warning messages (it is advisable to back up the registry before doing anything, because in some exceptional cases it result in a malfunctioning system)

Now click on ‘Check’ button for scanning. It will take some time to finish the scanning. After all tests complete, select all to fix the problem. After all, the program will display a list of files that have been repaired and modified.

How to use it? Presently you can perform the scanning either from your hard drive or from a USB stick (VIPRE PC Rescue CD will be available shortly). Download the program (68Mb including virus signature) from SunbeltSoftware and extract the ‘sbresue’exe, it will extracted in to a folder (for example C:\SBRESCUE) and open a command line window and perform a quick scan automatically.

After the initial scan you can perform additional scan by navigating to C:\SBRESCUE (or the directory VIPRE PC Rescue Program was extracted into). At the command prompt, enter: "SBRescueScanner" and use one or more of the following command line options:

1. No command line option: (C:\SBRESCUE>SBRescueScanner and hit enter) Quick Scan with Rootkit enabled
2. C:\SBRESCUE>SBRescueScanner /boot: Registers the boot-time scanner (no scan performed until the computer is rebooted)
3. C:\SBRESCUE>SBRescueScanner /deep: Performs a deep scan
4. C:\SBRESCUE>SBRescueScanner /log: Enables verbose logging
5. C:\SBRESCUE>SBRescueScanner /norootkit: Disables the rootkit engine.

If you have experienced any problems when uninstalling or installing Norton products such as Norton antivirus and Internet Security 2003 to 2009, Norton 360, Norton System Works 12.0, Norton Ghost, etc, here is a free tool called Norton Removal Tool (v.2009) which allows you to completely remove failed installation or a damaged Norton product.

Using this product is very simple, no configuration or any thing is required. Just download (2.92Mb) it and run the exe. Click next to proceed, it will scan and remove all problems automatically.

[If you have any problems with the above link when downloading, just copy the link location and paste in to your browser address bar and proceed].

DiskDigger gives a significant result; it recovered many files from my computer that are deleted years back. DiskDigger is a tiny application (605Kb) that can recover files from any type of media that your computer can read. This includes USB flash drives, memory cards (SD, CompactFlash, Memory Stick, etc), and of course your hard drive. The types of files that it recovers include photos, videos, music, documents, and other formats.

The program doesn’t require installation, just unzip and run. Select a drive (one of the main demerits of this program is that there is no option to select an individual partition, so it takes longer time to scan the entire disk), select a file type e.g. JPEG, PNG, PDF Doc, MP3, etc and click next to scan and save.[via]

To get this e-book for free, just visit at http://www.thegeekstuff.com/linux-101-hacks-free-ebook/ and follow the instructions.

To get this e-book (PDF 44.8Mb), simply sign up for the Microsoft Press Book Connection Newsletter, register, and download. Download Windows Vista Resources kit[via]

Unlike other online virus scanners, with BitDefender Quickscan there is nothing to install or update (scanner requires the download of a small ActiveX control) and work with Internet Explorer and Firefox (To run in Firefox you need to install IE Tab)

Sideshow gadgets includes Office Outlook gadget, Feed Viewer, Picture Viewer, etc and is a mini-programs that run on a Windows SideShow-compatible device and update the device with information from the computer.

There are some Desktop Gadget that you can add to your Windows desktop can also download such as Blogger Buddy, Traffic by Live search Maps, etc [via].

GeeMail is a cross platform application that works on Windows, Mac and Linux. Its interface is looks like the original Gmail, so just work the way you do in Gmail, right down to the keyboard shortcuts.

Although not all the features of Google's popular web mail, GeeMail is an interesting alternative for those who do not have Internet connection always and need to constantly work with received messages. Requirements: Adobe air run time[via]

RIOT (Radical Image Optimization Tool) [free] might be a right tool for this, which reduces any image (JPG, PNG, and GIF) considerably, without any significant quality loss. The program is simple to use, just download (1.14Mb, v.0.21) and install it. Select any image by clicking ‘Open’ button. Input any size (in percentage) or drag the ‘Quality’ slider to an acceptable level (you can view it in preview pane) and save the image.

There are some other options are also available with this tool such as rotating, re-sampling image, removing metadata (EXIF), etc, this further enhances the performance of the tool. More details and download at http://luci.criosweb.ro/riot/download/

Most of these fixes require editing the registry. Some users may find it bit difficult, but by carefully following the instructions and backing up the registry before modifying, you can easily solve most your computer problems. More details about Microsoft Fix it Solution Centre [via]

In addition, Blueman is tightly integrated with the Gnome environment and Network Manager 0.7, so any Dial- up or Network connections will be made available (via HAL) to Network Manager.

More details and download from: http://www.blueman-project.org/downloads.html [via]

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware new version (1.34) incorporates the following additions and improvements:

• Removing registry keys with corrupt permissions,
• Removal of drivers now improved,
• Improved memory usage,
• Certain types of freezing during full scan,
• Improved full scan times significantly,
• Better detection techniques for the real-time protection module,
• Directories now counted as items scanned,
• Disinfection for certain USB spread infections (Conficker).

More information and download from http://malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

When opening Movie maker on Vista, if you get an error message "Windows Movie Maker cannot start because your video card does not support the required level of hardware acceleration or hardware acceleration is not available", just download version 2.6 and install it.

Check your movie maker, if you get the above mentioned message, download Windows Movie Maker 2.6 and install it.

With Androsa FileProtector you can password protect any files such as video, image, documents or folders that contain data. After installation, select files or folders by right clicking on it and select an encrypting method (e.g. AES 256) and enter a password to encrypt. You can also drag and drop files in to Androsa FileProtector window to encrypt it.

The program supports Windows 2000, XP and Vista and required Microsoft .net framework 2 for XP and Windows 2000. Download latest version from programs home page.

File & Folder Unlocker is a powerful, easy-to-use system utility that gives complete control over the locked files and folders on your computer. With this program you can unlock file or folder objects that are locked, search for files that are open or locked, find which process has a file or folder open, lists all files & folders held open by a specific process, lists all files & folders held open by all processes and lists all files & folders held open by remote (network) users.

File & Folder Unlocker is a freeware and no installation is required (portable). File size:36Kb. Supports Windows 2000, XP, 2003.

For applying digital signature on files you can use eParapher. This is an end user security software that digitally sign files and manage keystores content's. It supports almost all file types. PDF, PDF/A, CMS and XML

eParapher supports all operating systems – Mac OS X 10.4 or later, Windows 32bit and Linux x86, x86_64 and required Java runtime (JRE 1.5 minimum) installed on your system. More information and download from http://maven.eparapher.com/index.html

Kaspersky Anti-Virus protects your computer against known and unknown threats, and against unwanted data. It combines traditional signature scanning of bad applications (blacklisting) with an extensive database of more than 400 million known good applications (white listing).

Kaspersky India offers a free six month trial license to its latest antivirus KAV 2009 as a promotion. Any one, who likes to get this offer, visit at Kasperskyindia site and register your personal details. It will take few days to get download link and license key in your inbox. [Via]

SBMAV Disk Cleaner 2009 is a tiny (just 900Kb), powerful tool for cleaning cobwebs of useless information clogging your system. SBMAV Disk Cleaner Lite (free edition) searches for and deletes temporary files and folders created by Windows and other applications, as well as searches for invalid links to documents that have long since been deleted.

System Requirement: Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP/Vista

This platform independent program (Windows and Mac) is targeted at all users in a computer workplace who value detailed documentation of their working hours, whether they use it for customer billing or for monitoring the duration of individual projects. It simplifies the work involved in entering your time data, while at the same time ensuring that incorrect time data cannot be input.

One of the main functions of timeEdition is its close links to popular calendar applications. It works with Apple's iCal, Microsoft Outlook and Google Calendar. The software lets you automatically transfer your time records into any one of these calendar applications.

Following are some of the functions timeEdition offers:

• Warning if user becomes inactive and variable settings for auto-stop function
• Integration into iCal, Outlook and Google Calendar
• Project countdown display
• Extensive export functions (Excel, XML, CSV, iCal)
• Freely definable hourly rates
• Entry for calculated project duration
• Colour coding of customers
• Comprehensive, customisable displays
• Complete options for editing completed time records

In 1997, Rockstar North and Rockstar Games released the original Grand Theft Auto (GTA1) on an unsuspecting public. The groundbreaking non-linear urban crime game shook up a complacent game industry with its irreverent game play, humor and style- and a phenomenon was born.

GTA2 is expanded on the top-down, open-ended crime world game play formula with a host of new features including the advent of multiple rival gangs – seven, to be exact, including the Yakuza, Scientists, Looneys, Rednecks, Zaibatsu, the Russian Mob and Hare Krishnas.

Wild Metal (1999) is a 3D strategic vehicular combat game set in a distant land, in which you command armed roving vehicles to disrupt dangerous automated military units that have overtaken the Tehric planetary system.

Just fill out the form to get your free copy of original Grand Theft Auto [via]

Features of Express Burn:

• Writes a variety of different audio file formats as tracks on the Audio CD
• Audio CD's can be written multi-session to add tracks at a later time.
• The audio files are automatically converted to the required format for the Audio CD.
• ASPI and SPTI writing are supported which allows writing on all versions of Windows. Optionally the CD burning features of Windows Media Player under Windows XP can also be used.
• Audio files can be previewed before burning.
• Fully ISO compliant data CDs, DVDs, HD DVDs and Blu-ray disks with Joliet extension.
• Fully UDF compliant data CDs, DVDs, HD DVDs and Blu-ray disks of UDF 1.02 revision.
• Files may be dragged onto the desktop icon and they will be automatically added for burning.
• Creates simple DVD movie disks from a wide range of video files.

System Requirements: Windows NT4/95/98/2000/Me/XP/2003/Vista.

The application run silently in the system tray. Once a website with an embedded video is loaded it will automatically display an overlay and speed up the loading time of that video to avoid pauses during playback.

Bywifi will speed up video streaming automatically. You do not need to change any watching habits. It uses multiple technologies to speed up video streaming and said to be 3-5 times faster with it than watch video websites directly. The software supports Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP, 2003, and Vista [via]

Your Cleaner has very intuitive interface and has some additional functions (you can add or remove additional file extensions, for example .temp, .bak or additional files and folders for deleting.) that enhances its usage. Moreover, there is an option to select whole or individual drives for scanning and can be back up registry files for restoring, if anything went wrong.

Your Cleaner completely removes traces of your online activities like temporary Internet Files, Cookies, History, Auto complete Form, Saved Passwords, Saved URLs in address bar of all major browsers such as Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Opera, Firefox and Safari.

SafeHouse Explorer works with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Server 2003, 2008 and
64-bit XP/Vista/Server and very easy to use. You can drag and drop file on to SafeHouse Explorer window for encrypting it (After creating a private storage vault). Your files are completely invisible until you enter your password. After you enter your secret password, you access your files using SafeHouse Explorer's familiar drag-and-drop Explorer-like interface.

With SafeHouse Explorer, you can protect any files residing on any drive, including memory sticks, external USB drives, network servers, CD/DVDs and even iPods.

• Complete full-featured stand-alone security solution.
• Hides, locks and encrypts documents, spreadsheets, photos, videos and anything else.
• Perfect for USB memory sticks and other portable media - even iPods
• Super strong 128-bit advanced encryption ensures your total protection.
• Unlimited number of private storage vaults as large as 2,000 Gigabytes each.
• Graphical password strength meter helps you choose strong passwords.
• Can be run directly from USB memory sticks without prior Windows installation.

MyLastSearch doesn't require any installation, unzip and simply copy the executable file (MyLastSearch.exe) to any folder, and run it. It will automatically scans the cache and history files of Web browsers (IE, Firefox and Opera) and shows the results.

4. Internet Explorer 8 RC1 for download: IE8 new version with many security features such as InPrivate Browsing, Smart Screen, InPrivate Filtering, etc

5. Remove hidden data from your MS Office 2003 / XP documents: Official add-on for Microsoft Office 2003 and XP for removing meta data (hidden personal information)

6. Discover hidden objects from your computer: ESET SysInspector is free, portable tool for inspecting your computer for any possible threats

7. Protect your PC from virus infection through USB pen drive: One of the main causes of virus infection is careless use of pen drives (USB sticks). A free tool for preventing infection through pen drives

8. Clickmeter: A free service for monitoring clicks on your links. It allows you to check how many users are clicking on a particular link, how many times they click,etc

9. Lavaoft 10th Anniversary edition: Lavasoft released an anniversary edition (2009 marks their 10th anniversary) of their world's most popular anti-spyware, Ad-Aware, which is available for free download.

10. A new service to scan webpage link for possible threats

11. Find out how hackers steal your personal information: Usually malicious programs transfer sensitive data from your computer to the hackers through the open ports of your system…

12. Get all information about Mozilla product and service from one centralized location at Lizard Feeder

13. Back up all important files automatically: FBackup is an automatic backup software for Windows which is very useful for saving important data from losing because of a hard disk failure, system crashes or virus infection

14. Beware of fake CNN news site: A fake news site looks like CNN, installs malicious codes on your computer.

15. SafeSpace: An internet security product which isolates your favorite internet applications such as Web browser, Instant Messengers and File sharing applications in a virtual sandbox and prevents Malwares

16. Identity Finder now available for free: Identity Finder is a security program that will find out unprotected instances of passwords, credit card or debit card numbers and other personal information that existed without your knowledge in files and hidden areas of your computer

17. A complete Windows 7 Transformation pack for Windows XP:

18. A browser Security Hand book from Google for free download

19. Parallels Workstation fro free: Parallels Workstation is an easy to use, powerful virtualization software (like VMWare) that lets you run multiple operating system side-by-side on a single PC without rebooting.

Screen shot of XP Police Anti-virus:
Be careful about such fake programs before downloading and installing from internet.

You can customize the duration of your work time and length of breaks (in minutes). During the break time you may exercise your eyes - look away or look at distant objects, etc. You can also password protect the program from disabling the ‘break’- useful for protecting children who plays video games much too long time, forcing them to take breaks.

Previously I posted a topic on one such tool EyeDefender that can also consider here. Eyes Relax can be downloaded from here or here. The program is straightforward and very easy to use. Required Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 for Windows XP. Supports Windows XP and Windows Vista

This application might be a good assistant in the daily task of collecting pieces of useful information, like your own thoughts and ideas, article excerpts, blog postings, famous people quotes, research data, curious facts, Wikipedia entries, etc, etc.

Retrieving information is also quite easy, just open CintaNotes and type any text, only notes which contain the text you type will remain in the list. You can also search by title or by typing URL the note was taken from or by date, etc.

Unlike browser-based tools like Google Notebook or Firefox plug-ins, it doesn’t require a web browser to work - it works in any application that can copy text to clipboard - Microsoft Word, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, etc

CintaNotes is a totally free and portable; you can put it on a flash drive and run it directly from there.

There is also an offline password generator that you can download free from PC Tools, which allows you to securely and easily create passwords locally on your own PC. You can check the quality and strength of a password. By entering your password in the checker it will run a series of tests on the password to indicate how strong it is, and therefore how easy it may be to guess or crack.

The associated Password Revealer reveals saved password that you have entered in web-forms but may have subsequently forgotten or lost. Works with Internet Explorer.