Computing
Free, low cost, and high quality software & hardware - the results of our own quest for best value & price.
No malware, spyware, or nagware.
2BrightSparks
Home of SyncBack - file backup software with precision control for on-the-fly work snapshots. Free and shareware versions.
Acronis is a world leader in backup, deployment, migration, and disaster recovery solutions for enterprise, small business, and home users.
In case you're worried that Artificial Intelligence will rampantly grow, take over the world, and terminate real sentient intelligence →
AV-Comparatives.org -and- AV-Test.org
Independent tests of anti-virus software, with product reviews and charts of the effectiveness of standard security features. Start here when researching your next security software purchase for desktop and mobile devices.
AxCrypt
From Axantum Software AB, strong, reliable file encryption for macOS and Windows with collaborative sharing and cloud storage awareness, and read-only for Android and iOS. Decrypts on-the-fly to a hidden file for editing, and re-encrypts when done without leaving unencrypted traces behind. A word of advice: DON'T lose your password; there are no back-doors.
Bleeping Computer
One of the largest help and resource forums for answering computer, security, and technical questions. All services to the public are free, including malware and rootkit cleanup of infected computers and removal instructions for rogue anti-spyware programs.
Dan Hates Spam
Think nobody cares about spam email? Dan Balsam is passionate about it.
Svilen Dobrev
Wise man, philosopher, and humanist who also builds computer software and systems. Enlightening reading and resources.
E-Waste solutions
E-waste is the toxic legacy of our digital age. Our waste electronics are polluting drinking water and harming ecosystems around the world. It’s time to fix the problem.
Electronic Privacy Information Center
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported entirely by donations, EPIC is a public interest research center in Washington, D.C., established in 1994 to focus attention on emerging civil liberties issues and to protect privacy and constitutional values. "EPIC is on the front lines of the most important civil liberties issues of our age." -- Bruce Schneier
Emergency Recovery Utility for NT
Super fast, reliable backup and restore of the NT based Windows system registry - the heart of the operating system. For Windows ME, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, and Windows 7.
Emsisoft
This small security provider offers its own branded software including Online Armor (originally by Tall Emu) - our choice for best free firewall - and Free Emergency Kit - malware detection and cleanup (100% portable).
GetLinkInfo.com
Surfers, bookmark this site NOW! Use it to reveal the true destination of "short-links" - website addresses which have been shortened and stored by link shortening services, originally for use in short messages such as Tweets, but also misused to redirect you to bad websites.
Fax services: GotFreeFax and FaxZero
If you seldom send faxes, such as for business or legal reasons, both of these services send cheap or limited free faxes online from your computer. The process and payment are secure with confirmation by email, and your data is retained for only a few days. We found GotFreeFax to be more polished and easier to use. For more robust services, including a dedicated fax number, see Tom's Guide: Best & Worst Online Fax Services 2017
f.lux
It's clear that background blue light from display screens is unhealthy. f.lux automatically adjusts your screen "color temperature" by time of day, from "hot" (normal blue) to "cool" (less blue) at night. You can set the temperature range and optionally suspend it for color graphics work. Available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and iPhone/iPad.
Have I Been Pwned?
Check if your email account has been compromised in a data breach.
Help Net Security
Computing security frontier news and forecasts for the masses.
HTMLy
A free, databaseless (flat file) blogging platform, written in PHP by Danang Probo Sayekti.
Internet Storm Center
Provides a free analysis and warning service to Internet users and organizations, and actively works with Internet Service Providers to fight the most malicious attackers.
IronVest (formerly Abine)
Honest products that mask your identity during web transactions to keep your personal info safe: email addresses, passwords, even your calls and credit cards. Free and paid versions depending on features; and they store your data ... on your own machine. Great response time for issues too.
Krebs on Security
This renowned security sleuth tracks and exposes current hacks and scams in well-written, intriguing, and frequently cited articles. Don't miss his "Tools for a Safer PC".
Lauver Designs
Web development, graphic design, and a very attractive site. We just couldn't resist adding this sole proprietor to the list.
Led by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Internet Security Research Group will provide free, automated, open-source SSL/TLS certificates to anyone who owns a live domain.
Libre Office
A free, open-source office system with databases, graphics, math, presentations, spreadsheets, word processing, and general compatibility with major brand systems such as Microsoft Office.
MalwareBytes
Your go-to for regular security as well as immediate virus removal. If nothing else, be sure to keep a copy of the free version on hand for emergencies.
Micro Center Online
Current, high quality, low priced computer hardware and software.
MOGware, Inc.
Home of File Hamster - automatic, versioned file backups while you work. Best of 3 different products in price, reliability, and system overhead.
Morguefile.com
A library of actual, free, public domain images to use wherever you like. Attribution may be required (read the fine print), but you can skip all the other debates about copyrights.
MxToolbox
Supports global Internet operations by providing fast, accurate, free diagnostic and lookup tools to help resolve a broad scope of network issues. Intelligent, responsive customer service.
the No More Ransom Project
Europol, the Dutch police, Intel Security, and Kaspersky Lab have teamed up to create No More Ransom, a web-portal with ransomware detection and decryption tools to help victims of ransomware retrieve their encrypted files without having to pay their attackers, and advice on how to prevent infection.
Notepad++
Notepad++ is a truely robust free replacement for Windows Notepad. Character conversions, line hiding, macro record/playback, multiple views, multi-file string search/replace, regular expression search/replace, sorting, tabbed editing, and accurate user defined syntax highlighting for coders. Serious text-fu!
OpenDNS
If your Internet experience dawdles or grinds to a stop, stay away from the "magic fixes" seen on TV. Instead, switch from your ISP's quirky, weak domain name servers to OpenDNS with added protection from evil websites.
PegTop
Home of Pixel Meter - a free on-screen measuring tool for graphics work. PegTop also offers PStart - a unique, portable "start menu".
Photo Filtre
An easy to use, full-featured, free graphics editor.
Quasima Chrono Tracker
Quickly and accurately record and summarize your work time for multiple tasks and projects. This free application includes excellent documentation.
Sci-Tech Concept - Alexander Vechersky
Hands down, Glint for Windows is the king of small footprint system activity monitors, with up to 200 indicators displayable as bar and line graphs or color intensities. Updated in 2010 for Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7, also works in Windows 8/10, and still free.
The Secret Guide To Computers
Russ Walter's BIG book (and free telephone help) demystifies everything about computers because it's written in (gasp) layman's terms! Cheap and updated for both new and older technology. (Russ inspired us to avoid the usual "robber baron" style of fees.)
SnapFiles (WebAttack)
A large, superb freeware and shareware site. No adware, spyware, or "nagware" allowed. Quality ratings by the site and the user community. Some freeware is professional grade.
SpeedTest.net
Test the speed of your Internet connection. See if you are getting what you pay for, and share your results with others.
Stop Work-for-Hire
Learn why and how to avoid permanently signing away your rights to your own creative efforts. A message from the Professional Artists League.
SysInternals
First class Windows internals diagnostic and utility software - much of it free. Recently acquired by Microsoft.
TorProject.org
Tor ("the onion router") is a free open-source platform, for Windows, Mac, Linux/Unix, and Android, that protects your privacy from network surveillance and traffic analysis by encrypting and routing your communications through random relays in a distributed global network. Tor's user experience has grown from complex and slow to simplified and reasonably quick.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Combatting illegal narcotics, mail and package theft, identity theft, mail fraud, suspicious mail, money laundering, cybercrime, and child exploitation, and providing Postal employee protection, fraud prevention and education, disaster response, and global mail security - the USPIS has worldwide jurisdiction. Report suspicious calls, mail, scams, and more.
W3Schools Online Web Tutorials
An amazing resource for web designers. All the details, languages, methods, live examples, and reference material you need. Current, and free.
WebPageTest.org
Provides detailed analysis, multiple diagnostic views, and advice on website performance, flow, and efficiency.
What Is My IP Address
In-depth IP lookup, traceroute, geo-location, and resolve, black-list check, tutorials, and more.