Simple security: In last year’s roundup of best free stuff, the beta version of Microsoft Security Essentials 2 impressed us. Since then, Microsoft has officially released the utility to the public, and our admiration has only grown. With its combined antivirus, antispyware, and firewall protection, Security Essentials provides a solid layer of protection against the most common threats without hobbling your PC or nagging you with annoying update reminders.

File killer: When you delete files from your PC via the Windows Recycle Bin, Windows marks them as erased and hides them from view; eventually it fills the drive space they occupied with newly created or downloaded content. To get rid of data right away, use Eraser, a free file-deletion utility that works with DoD-grade algorithms to overwrite deleted data repeatedly until it’s practically unrecoverable.

Facebook defense: Facebook is fun, but it’s also rife with malicious links that can damage your PC and compromise your private data. Defensio for Facebook intercepts those threats and alerts you before they can do any harm.

Software updater: Now that almost every PC application can access the Internet, dozens of potential security holes lie scattered across our systems. Secunia Personal Software Inspector helps mitigate the risk by searching for important security patches for every program on your PC. When I ran it, PSI found seven outdated programs on my machine, and pointed me straight to the download links for the updates I needed. Suddenly I feel much more secure.

USB protection: How much do you trust the USB drive that your friend wants to plug into your PC? If you use Panda USB Vaccine, you don’t have to take anything on faith. This simple utility automatically neutralizes common flash-drive threats to keep malware from making the jump to your hard drive.

Password keeper: You want to get to the Websites you use without stopping to recall a dozen unique passwords every day, but using the same password at multiple sites is a good way to compromise your data. Password Safe gives you the best of both worlds by storing all your logins and dropping them into the sites you visit as needed. As a result, you can maintain as many different, complex passwords as you need while having to remember only one master password to rule them all.

Any suggestions, ideas? Feel free to comment on this article!

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Simpler Web viewing: Remember when the Web was add less and clutter-free? A browser add-on called Readability takes you back to those times by stripping any page down to its main article. No ads. Minimal navigation menus. Almost no clutter. It’s great for creating printer-friendly pages, and for distraction-free reading.

Isolation booth: For distraction-free writing in Windows, I love WriteMonkey. While you write, this minimalist writing app hides all of the formatting menus and just about everything else by expanding to full-screen mode and filling your screen with the soothing background color of your choice.

Intelligent notepad: At your PC or on your tablet or phone, Evernote lets you capture Web clippings, text notes, audio notes, and pictures. It then syncs them across all your devices, and indexes them so they’re easy to find later.

Mind mapper: When you want to capture complex ideas, few methods are as effective as a mind map for visualizing the many related parts of a project. Xmind gives you simple, powerful mind-mapping tools that rival those of the most expensive apps around.

Office alternative: Want a powerful productivity suite without the expense of Microsoft Office? Oracle’s free OpenOffice.org has a robust word processor, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations with support for Microsoft Office file formats.

Screen sharing: Whether you’re the unofficial tech support person for your company or the go-to techie for your family and friends, LogMe­In Free simplifies the process of sharing your screen with a remote user or of taking control of that person’s screen in real time.

Search simplifier: An alternative to the ubiquitous Google, newcomer Blekko takes a hand-curated approach, relying on slash tags that allow you to refine your searches and get more-relevant results. To see re­­sults for “Windows tips” sorted by date, for instance, type Windows tips /date.

List manager: To-do lists don’t have to be complicated. For simple, effective lists that you can share with friends and access from any mobile browser, try 37Signals’ Ta-da List.

Easy presentations: Need to whip up a snazzy presentation fast? Log on to SlideRocket via your Google account, and use its slick templates to embed images, Flash objects, videos, and audio. Then export your presentation as a PowerPoint slideshow or PDF.

E-mail postponer: When you get an e-mail message that you need to act on but don’t have to deal with quite yet, NudgeMail serves as a smart snooze button. Forward the message to, say, tomorrow@nudgemail.com or June2@nudgemail.com, and the e-mail will reappear in your inbox when you do need to see it.

File converter: Want to convert a MOV video file to WMV format, or a Word document into an ePub book for your e-reader? Online Convert transforms a wide selection of formats, and it doesn’t require you to download or install any new software.

Streamlined PDF viewer: Adobe’s Acrobat Reader has evolved dramatically over the years, and it has grown a little bloated along the way. For quicker PDF viewing that won’t hog your system’s resources, give the free Sumatra PDF a try.

Any suggestions, ideas? Feel free to comment on this article!

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Instant organization: Instead of clicking around in Windows Ex­­plorer to find where Windows hid your newly downloaded MP3 file, try DropIt. This open-source utility lets you set up folder associations for specific file types. Just drop files on the big target icon on your desktop, and DropIt will automatically whisk them away to their appropriate (and easy-to-find) destinations.

Cleaner desktop: Stardock’s Fences lets you create separate areas on your desktop to organize unruly desktop icons into a manageable system. Keep programs in one fence and Word documents in another, for instance, or group them any way you like.

Complete removal: No list of great free tools would be complete without Revo Uninstaller. Windows’ built-in Programs control panel simply isn’t as good at removing the bits and pieces of programs that you want to banish from your hard drive.

Smart dock: The Windows 7 taskbar isn’t bad, but Stardock’s ObjectDock replicates the slick Mac OS X dock interface, complete with snazzy magnification animations, for Windows users.

Virtual machine: Oracle’s VirtualBox lets you run multiple virtual machines on your PC, so you can have multiple instances of Windows, Linux, or any other OS installed. It keeps a working image of a machine as a backup. Then, if things go horribly awry, you can delete the damaged image in favor of the backup.

All-in-one uncompressor: If you’ve ever asked “What’s a .rar file?” you need 7-Zip. It supports all of the essential file compression formats-and more than a few obscure ones, too-so it can unpack anything you download. The utility adds file management tools to Windows’ context menus, too, enabling you to zip files, unzip files, and convert file formats on the fly.

FTP essential: People who transfer lots of files still rely on the old File Transfer Protocol to move their bits around. FileZilla re­­mains one of the best FTP clients on the market, and it’s still free.

Display manager: DisplayFusion gives you multiple-monitor management powers that Windows doesn’t, such as the ability to display different background images on each screen or to span an image across two monitors. It also packs hotkey combos for automatically ar­­ranging your desktop, and it lets you set custom behaviors for your apps.

Easy-launch Web apps: If you spend most of your working life in Web-based apps such as Google Docs and Gmail, Mozilla’s Prism browser plug-in for Firefox can restore your sanity. By turning your favorite Web apps into separate applications that launch from Windows’ Start menu, the utility enables you to cut down on the number of mouse clicks required to get to the tools you need, while at the same time eliminating browser-tab clutter.

One keyboard, many PCs: I have three computers on my desk, running any of three operating systems: Windows, OS X, and Linux. But the free Synergy utility lets me use a single keyboard and mouse to control all three PCs, regardless of their OS. When my mouse pointer reaches the edge of a screen, Synergy uses the Wi-Fi network to take over the next machine. It’s the closest thing to magic that your PC is likely to encounter.

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These four free downloadable applications are designed to make handling your photos and videos easier and more effective.

Photo viewer: Whether you want to view TIFF pictures, MOV videos, or Flash animations, IrfanView is an indispensable freebie. Bonus: It includes a healthy array of photo-editing tools, too.

Image organizer: If your hard drive is littered with photos scattered across various locations, Fotobounce will round them up, organize them, and give you an easy way to share them with your friends.

Power editor: For most nonprofessionals, Adobe Photoshop is expensive overkill. Paint.net is jam-packed with powerful photo-editing features, and it’s free.

Magic eraser: Who’s the weirdo standing behind Aunt Marge in that Disneyland photo? (No, it’s not Uncle Fred.) Get rid of the interloper with PhotoWipe, a tool that lets you mark any object in a picture and automatically erase it without a trace.

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Here is an enormous list of websites that offer either free online storage or a free trial of their file hosting service .

• 4shared – your Free Virtual Drive with 500Mb online storage space. 4shared offers you the easy and fast way to store your files, access them from anywhere at anytime and share them with your friends and people all over the world
• Allmydata – harnesses the power of grid storage technology to securely store your email, photos, music, movies and more
• anywhere – a unique personal file storage and sharing service that allows you to save, retrieve and share files and folders with your own network of contacts. 5 gigs, 10 gigs and 20 gigs accounts. Free 15 days trial accounts come with 50 megs
• BestSharing.com – Free and easy-to-use file hosting. Allows uploading of virtually any type of files. Unlimited upload, unlimited download. You don’t need to registration and pay any fees. Max file size is 125 MB. Simply file manager allowed via email, file protect allowed too
• Bigupload – free file hosting provider. You don’t need to registration and pay any fees. You don’t need to install any special software. A file can be up to 2GB(and counting!). Host your file forever for free, until it is unused for 30 days. If nobody downloads your file for 30 days, it is automatically deleted. Try BigUpload right now and you will see why 100,000 people use it every day
• Bigvault – Provides “unlimited”, “secure”, “private” and “confidential” storage space on the Internet, that can be accessed at anytime from anywhere without the need to pre-download any software
• Biscu.com – Now individuals and small businesses can get affordable on-line, high-speed web file storage and information sharing services. There are no complicated contracts or long term commitments. Our simple, pay-as-you go service lets you use as little or as much storage as you need. You’re never charged for space you don’t use, and there are no hidden surcharges should you ever require more space. We’re the most budget friendly storage service on the Internet
• Boltfolio – unlimited storage. Allows uploading of virtually any media file – photos, video and audio
• Box.net – about to relaunch with free accounts, private beta ongoing now, more at http://live.box.net
• Streamload MediaMax -
• Netizen – Like FedEx for digital parcels. This Mozilla based Desktop app allows users to send huge files (over 4GB!) securely and quickly without bogging down email. Uses intelligent relaying to ensure reliable delivery of data. With an intelligent p2p architecture it doesn’t require massive hosting costs as other apps and sites do.
• MyOtherDrive.com – MyOtherDrive provides Internet users the ability to store online and share videos, music, photos – any file. The site provides each user with 5GB of storage space that can be selectively shared. Unlike other online storage sites, MyOtherDrive allows you to upload files in bulk (not one by one like so many sites do). The uploaded files can be any size (up to 2GB). The site allows the user to create groups and share their folders selectively to these groups (friends, family, coworkers, etc.) . You can define as many groups as necessary and friends can be placed in more than one group. Coming soon – content tagging and search capabilities.
• Pando – A cross between YouSendIt, BitTorrent, and AIM.
• Uploading – File Size Limit: 500MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• 4 Shared Free File Sharing – 500MB Virtual Drive
• LOADMAN – First german online storage hoster with a fine selection of services and relly low prices.
• Strongspace – Secure File Storage and Sharing
• DF Deposit Files – (Max. 250 MB)
• MediaFire – MediaFire is the first 100% free and unlimited file host. Unlimited uploads, unlimited downloads, unlimited bandwidth, multiple simultaneous downloads and no sign up required. You can also easily access your files from anywhere with a free account and your own “My Files” page.
• FileFront – File Size Limit: 1GB – Download Limit: Unlimited – File Life: unknown. Only for GAME related files. Any file format allowed.
• Imageshack – The ultimate image storage website. Allows images up to 1.5MB in size and allows hotlinking. Your images are available forever, and the site allows 100MB of transfer per hour. You can upload an unlimited amount of images with or without registering. Accepted file types are JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIF, TIFF, and SWF.
• EchoSign – For easily archiving your documents. E-mail in all your documents; EchoSign stores them; images them; turns them into PDFs; and makes them searchable for you – for free.
• filedropr – drop files for download.
• HugeUploads – Free file storage and image hosting, with unlimited bandwidth and 500MB per file. You get unlimited downloads and uploads and protect your files with a password. We keep your files on our server for ever if you download the files within 30 days! No registration required.
• ElephantDrive – ElephantDrive provides simple, secure, and automated online storage services to individuals and businesses. By combining the power of grid computing infrastructures such as Amazon Web Services’ S3, proprietary storage optimization technology, and simple, clean design, ElephantDrive’s service allows all users to enjoy the same availability and performance as enterprise solutions, at a fraction of the cost. While the company currently focuses on data protection, it is rapidly expanding its service to push all data into the cloud, where any web enabled device can store, retrieve, manage, and share any digital asset, from anywhere, at anytime.
• DropBoks – No bells, no whistles, just an easy and quick way to store your files online. 1 GB Free.
• File Storage Sites & Tools – Places to store your viral videos to your home photography.
• Nelsok.com Video/Media Upload – This service is free. Allows users to upload videos. Also allows for creating movies/slide shows from video clips, sound files, and pictures. Users can put advertisements on their video viewing pages using googles adsense.
• filicio.us – Free $0.15 using Amazon S3
• DivShare – Upload Anything – * 100% FREE * Upload unlimited files * Serve unlimited downloads * Files stay online forever! * No pop-up ads or spam * Incredibly fast, reliable servers
• MiHD – Max file size: 2048MB Resumable downloads: Yes! Download limits: None whatsoever! File lifetime: 3 Months
• UploadOK! Free File Hosting, Free Web Hosting and Cheap Dedicated Servers – Max 1,000 MB
• Blackbeard File Hosting .::. share your music, documents – 180 MB maximum file size.Files under the size of 50 MB will expire after 3 months of no download, larger files only 1 month.
• DotSpirit – Online file storage powered by phpNavigator featuring: 10GB disk space, multi-users, drag & drop multiple files/folders. Available in English and French. Free trial available.
• SnapDrive.net – Free File Hosting No File Deletion
• Fies-Upload.com – Up to 1Gb files. Upload by HTTP or FTP. No limited space, file life time: 45 days
• JungleDisk – Backup service using Amazon’s S3 service. Fast and cheap.
• ShareUA – Ukrainian file storage. UA-IX. 60 mb space. For Ukrainian users!
• mooload – File Size Limit: 500MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• YoUpload – Up to 500 megabytes per file Unlimited amount of uploads Unlimited amount of downloads Download managers accepted No download restrictions No “loading” times Fastest servers available
• SexUploader – (500MB) For 90 Days
• Diino – Diino is a personal, on-line environment, where it’s easy to share large files, back up important data, create an instant network, organize digital photos, play music and securely access important information
• I(2) Drive Online Storage – I(2) Drive provides secure online storage and file server access through WebDAV servers for Business and Personal use. Other features include inbound servers, podcasting and RSS Feed, photo albums, direct links, and more…
• MyTempDir – Maximum file size – 51,200 Kb (50 Mb)
• QuickSharing – Unlimited downloads, even if the file have 100000 downloads, it doesn’t matter. Free to use, there is absolutely no money involved, you can use this service for free. 500MB limit per file, upload and share as many as you want. We only delete if the file is not accessed within the past 30 days.
• EvilShare – Upload limit: 128 MB per file, unlimited number of files Download limit: none Files deleted after 30 days of inactivity. I like this site a lot because it’s simple, there are no download limits and no annoying waiting before download as on other sites. And it’s pretty fast, too. I highly recommend it.
• zalil – 50 mb
• File Planet – Know of a file that we should have but don’t? Let us know! Use the submission form below and get an instant link to your file. Be sure to be as descriptive as possible. Remember, while you get an instant link back – this does not place you officially on FilePlanet. That process may take a while, so be patient. Thank you and enjoy this service! Hi limit.
• webcargo.net – Send any file, no matter the size, to anyone with an e-mail address. Price per month $0 Sends per month 5 included, $5 per send after that Max users 1 Max individual file size 100 MB Max data transfer Unlimited File storage duration 14 days Secure 128-bit encryption Yes Dedicated Account Rep — Other options available. http://www4.webcargo.net/webcargo/plan_pricing.php
• Eggdisk 6GB File Storage – All accounts get an amazing 6GB of free file storage and file sharing with registration. Free image sharing without registration. The anonymous service allows up to 20MB files, but with the registered service you can have up to 100MB filesizes.
• Boostfile – Upload files up to 150 MB, Download Stats for every file, Share, discuss, and rate files.
• BackupRight – Super easy to use and automatic, what else could you ask for? They also have a free trial with no credit card and support Mac OS and Linux (Windows too of course).
• TheOnlineDiary – Share uploaded files with your group. Upload any files, protect them from download, version managemnet included
• Filecows – 20MB
• Lumunon Media – FileSharing – FileShare gives you 10MB file limit and unlimited download limit. Time duration is about a year, but this will be eliminated either. So, other than the size limit, everything is unlimited.
• OxyShare Your Data Route – Oxyshare Rapidshare Megaupload Size of file 700mb 100mb 250mb Download speed 3 mb/s 1,5 mb/s 1,5 mb/s Download limit no limit 1 file/hour no limit FTP upload yes no no Resume downloading yes no yes Block by IP no yes yes FTP speed 500kb/s no FTP no FTP
• Picture9 Online Photo Albums – Free image hosting for blogs, eBay auctions & MySpace. Photo gallery, stock portfolio & image slideshow for personal photos.
• fileXoom – Bandwidth: Unlimited; Max file size: 100 MB; Storage space: 2 GB; All file types allowed; Free
• Data File Host – Max. file size 10MB, unlimited uploads, download limit is 2.5GB/month for each file and for files smaller than 1MB there is no limit. File kept until no downloads for 30 days.
• Flat File Host – maximum filesize: 250 MB
• TransferBigFiles – File Size Limit: 1GB Download Limit: 20 Downloads File Life: 5 Days
• mailbigfile – File Size Limit: 1GB Download Limit: 3 Downloads File Life: 7 Days
• Easy File Host – File Size Limit: 1GB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: Unlimited
• Up-FILE – File Size Limit: 1GB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: Unlimited
• Fupload – File Size Limit: 500MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 25 Days
• UploadReady – File Size Limit: 500MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• zSHARE – File Size Limit: 100MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 10 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 10 days)
• Bigupload – File Size Limit: 300MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• Speedy Share – (Maximum: 33MB) Download Limit: Unlimited (Limit of 5GB per file per day) File Life: 7 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 7 days)
• Easy-Sharing – File Size Limit: 75MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days
• JustUpit – File Size Limit: 120MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• Turbo Upload – File Size Limit: 70MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: Unknown
• Content-Type – File Size Limit: 100MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 7 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 7 days)
• Upload-File – File Size Limit: 100MB Download Limit: 50 Downloads File Life: 30 Days
• StreamUpload 2.0 – File Size Limit: 100MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days
• JumboFile – File Size Limit: 100MB Download Limit: Unknown File Life: Unknown
• Remote File CabiNET – Remote File CabiNET is an easy-to-use service that eliminates the security risks and productivity problems associated with email. Just insert and manage files online using a Windows Explorer-like interface.
• GetFile – File Size Limit: 50MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 14 Days
• Web-Upload.com – easy to use and for free !
• YourFile – File Size Limit: 50MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• BigFilez – File Size Limit: 50MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 14 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 14 days)
• rar host – free file hosting for .rar files! – Upload limit: 200 Mb. Files last 30 days
• Your File Link – File Size Limit: 50MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• orb-z – File Size Limit: 50MB Download Limit: 200 Downloads File Life: 15 Days
• Gimehost – Free upload of upto 250 MB!
• Send File – File Size Limit: 40MB Download Limit: 10 Downloads File Life: 10 Days
• MyLivePage – Free 1GB File Storage For All English And Russian Language Support
• FileBuffer – File Size Limit: 40MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 7 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 7 days)
• UltraShare – File Size Limit: 30MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• UploadTemple – File Size Limit: 30MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 21 Days
• SendMeFile – File Size Limit: 30MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 14 Days
• Upload2 – File Size Limit: 25MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 1 Year
• Rogepost (AKA) Filegone.com – File Size Limit: 25MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 100 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 100 days)
• UploadTown – File Size Limit: 20MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• Filegone – File Size Limit: 25MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 100 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 100 days)
• 11MBIT.in – File Size Limit: 20MB Download Limit: Unknown File Life: Unknown
• Refrozen – File Size Limit: 20MB Download Limit: Unknown File Life: Unknown
• Crazefiles – File Size Limit: 20MB Download Limit: 50 Downloads File Life: 14 Days
• hackz.nu – File Size Limit: 20MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: Unknown
• Zhube – File Size Limit: 20MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 15 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 15 days)
• Free-Transfer – File Size Limit: 10MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 7 Days
• carbonite – How come www.carbonite.com is not on the list?
• eSnips – 1GB free storage space.
• MailBigFile – Send big files quickly and easily, without clogging up your email. No software to download, if you can see the web, you can use Mail Big File. 3 simple steps and your file is on it’s way.No cost, no registration – just start sending files. With the option to secure your file with 128-bit encyption, Mail Big File is more secure than standard email. All files are virus scanned. Send files up to 1GB in size. Features a progress meter.
• MegaShares – File Size Limit: 1.5GB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 25 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 25 days)
• SendOver – File Size Limit: 2GB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 7 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 7 days)
• Free 1000MB file storage – FREE 1000MB file storage and unlimited size files uploads with Hercules software from your desktop
• bbDRIVE – Amazing! A windows app simply maps FTP storage into an network disk, could be use with any win support application. Max 10GB storage & no single file size limitation.
• Upload 2 – Free file hosting service. Up to 250 MB.
• Boltfolio -
• BigUpload – 2000MB upload limit. File stays on the server forever as long as it’s updated once every 30 days.
• zUpload – File Size Limit: 500MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• Spread-It – File Size Limit: 500MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 14 Days
• CyberUpload – File Size Limit: 500MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 7 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 7 days)
• Snaggys – File Size Limit: 500MB Download Limit: 999 Downloads File Life: 15 Days
• ShareBigFile – File Size Limit: 300MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 21 Days
• UpDownloadServer – File Size Limit: 250MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: Unlimited
• XtraFile – File Size Limit: 250MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 15 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 15 days)
• Dropload – Send Files upto 100MB for 7 days.
• bonpoo – File Size Limit: 250MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 10 Days
• FileCache – File Size Limit: 250MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 31 Days
• Supload – File Size Limit: 200MB Download Limit: 30 Downloads File Life: 7 Days
• ovodocs – Web based online document storage that looks just like windows explorer. Is absed around creating users/customer accounts so you can share and manage files between. Costing is based around user base. Complete security with users and groups. Alos file usage audit.
• myShareBox – File Size Limit: 100MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• TheUpload – File Size Limit: 100MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days
• Upload.Sc – File Size Limit: 100MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: Unknown
• Hemen Paylas – File Size Limit: 250MB Download Limit: Unknown File Life: Unknown
• Store and Serve – File Size Limit: 100MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• upload2.com – File Size Limit: 250MB Download Limit: Unknown File Life: Unknown
• BIGfileupload – File Size Limit: 100MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: Unlimited
• AxiFile – File Size Limit: 150MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days
• QuickDump – File Size Limit: 100MB Download Limit: download bandwidth limit of 500MB per hour File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• Fastmail – Great subscription email service with file storage; plans ranging from free (1MB limit, 10MB quota) to $40/yr (250 MB storange, 750 MB quota).
• FileHD – File Size Limit: 60MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• UploadSend – File Size Limit: 50MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• UploadFront – File Size Limit: 50MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• FreeUploader – File Size Limit: 50MB Download Limit: Unknown File Life: Unknown
• Momoshare – File Size Limit: 50MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 15 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 15 days)
• FriendlyShare – File Size Limit: 50MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• UploadHut – File Size Limit: 50MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days
• SupaShare – File Size Limit: 50MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 14 Days
• FileHost – File Size Limit: 50MB Download Limit: Unknown File Life: Unknown
• ushareit – File Size Limit: 50MB Download Limit: Unknown File Life: Unknown
• SceneWorld – File Size Limit: 50MB Download Limit: 1000 Downloads File Life: 50 Days
• WebFileHost – File Size Limit: 10MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days
• Hyperupload – File Size Limit: 10MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: Unlimited
• KeepMyFile – File Size Limit: 15MB Download Limit: Unknown File Life: Unknown
• MoFile.com – Temporary Upload Limit:1G, 3days Permanent Upload Lmit:30M
• Mozy -
• MyBloop -
• Badongo – Upload files up to 1GB.
• Mp3Tunes -
• SendSpace – 1200MB upload space.
• TrasferBigFiles – 1GB. Five days or 20 downloads.
• Woomp -
• FileFactory – File Size Limit: 1.5GB Download Limit: 25 Downloads File Life: 7 Days
• RapidUpload – File Size Limit: 300MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• iStorage -
• RapidSharing – File Size Limit: 50MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 60 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 60 days)
• Openomy -
• RapidShare – File Size Limit: 100MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 30 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 30 days)
• Megaupload – Temporary upload, fast and easy, and free.
• OurMedia -
• Omnidrive -
• DropSend -
• Inbox.com – free 2GB webmail that includes Storage, Calendar & Tasks, and Notes.
• SaveFile – File Size Limit: 60MB Download Limit: Unlimited File Life: 14 Days (Deleted only if there is no download activity in 14 days)
• Allmydata.com – Unlimited storage on a p2p grid network – free if you share space on your own drive
• My File Hut – How much space and bandwidth do i get with myFileHut.com? All users will receive 250MB of Storage space free at cost. Users are also restricted to 10GB/month after staying with myFileHut.com after two weeks, the first two week as a new member you are restricted to 1GB/Week for the first two weeks. Am I allowed to Hotlink and Stream? Yes!, you are allowed to hotlink any type of media off the myFileHut.com Network that does not breech the TOS. Streaming is also allowed, but it is suggested that you watch your bandwidth usage when streaming as this tends to eat up most of the users bandwidth
• Freepository -
• EggDisk – All new accounts up to September 1st will get an amazing 4GB free storage. Sign up today and tell your friends. Free File Storage and File Sharing without registration. Just upload and go! You can backup all your files, images and work. The anonymous service allows up to 20MB files, but with the registered service you can have up to 100MB filesizes.
• Grouper.com – Free storing/sharing of photos and videos
• A Website Design Checklist – Website design is a significant function of the website. It is the basis of the website development and publication. The web designer must be a creative person who can design a web site that is aesthetically pleasing to look at and plan a site that is functional and easy for your viewers to use.
• uploadyourfiles – Upload limit: 200Mb. Files last 30 days
• Uploadsever – Upload limit: 250 Mb
• YouSendIt – File Size Limit: 1GB Download Limit: 25 Downloads File Life: 7 Days

Any suggestions, ideas? Feel free to comment on this article!

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Avast: Another free Anti-Virus software. Just as good as AVG. However this one is more system intensive than AVG or NOD.
Bitdefender: Popular anti-virus software- Free of charge. (Free- NOT real time scanning -only manual scanning)
ClamWin: Small and non-intrusive anti-virus. Like Bitdefender (Free- NOT real time scanning -only manual scanning)
AntiVir: An anti-virus that has been around for a long time – still free for home use.
Blink: First security solution to build all of the necessary protection layers into a very lightweight package. (Contains a software Firewall)
NOD32: The absolute BEST anti-virus protection. (I know, I clean scumware for a living). 30day trial. Or purchase.
Kaspersky: A very sweet anti-virus software with a 30day trial. Be sure to JUST get the AV, not the full suite of bloatness.

TheCleaner: This finds/prevents trojan horses. This is on a 30day trial, however very recommended – try it.
DiamondCS: Many high-end programs for worm/Trojan detection, 30day trial.
Windowsecurity: Free online Trojan scanner.

Ad-Aware SE: Great for getting rid of spyware and malware – the items that can cause annoying pop-ups.
SpyBot: Similar to Ad-Aware, however more aggressive. Clean up spyware and hijack attempts.
SpyCatcher: Active Protection. One of the most advanced antispyware solution available as a free service.
AVG AntiSpyware : Clean annoying malware such as spyware, Trojans and hijackers. Great compliment to an anti-virus.
MalwareBytes: Since programs like Ad-Aware have become.. crap, this is a GREAT replacement for cleaning.
CounterSpy: Probably the best shield against spyware. The best database cleaner there is. Period. 30day trial.
Comodo BOClean: This is more of a “real time” (run the the background) anti-spyware. Not a fan of TSR’s, but this works.
CWShredder: Takes care of many hijacking software – run if you get many pop-ups/redirecting pages.
HijackThis: Tool to find out if there is “hijack” software on your system. Use the logfile analyzer if your not sure.
Kill2me: Another stomper of spyware – bring it on.
KillBox: Very nice for taking care of “Abetterinternet” and other n00bish software.
a² free: This bridges the gap with anti-virus and malware. This free scanner cleans Trojans, worms, spyware (all malware).
SpywareBlaster: Active prevention against spyware, adware, browser hijackers and dialers.
HitmanPro2: Incorporates all major Anti-Spyware software and updates/runs them all for you. Too cool.
WinDiz: Windows updates with FireFox. Great if ActiveX is damaged by spyware.

POPfile: Perfect/Free ani-Spam tool. Involved installation, but once it’s set – it’s good.
IHateSpam: For Exchange (V5.5, 2000 and 2003) was uniquely developed to be both user and admin-friendly. 30day trial.
Spamihilator works between your E-Mail client and the net. Useless spam mails (Junk) will be filtered out.
SpamBayes: is a tool used to segregate unwanted mail (spam) from the mail you want (ham).
SpamPal: Mail classification program that separates your spam from the mail you really want to read.
OSpam: A great and simple spam solution for any POP account.

Sygate. Just bought by Symantec – now it’s going to be crap. Hurry and get this before it happens.
Tiny: Tiny is a free firewall. It is designed for the more advanced due to the heavy features included.
Comodo: Great little personal firewall. This is pretty new and robust.
OutPost: An Opensource based firewall. Works very well protecting against worms, trojans and hackers.
Kerio: Smart, easy-to-use personal security technology that fully protects PC’s against hackers and internal misuse. The best.
Protowall: Very small application that blocks IP address. Very cool.
Prevx: Stops the attacks that bypass anti-virus and firewall products.

PowerCrypt 2000: Encrypted files, folders and E-mails. This free file lets you hide all your data.
PGP: “Pretty Good Privacy”. Actually it’s probably the best encryption software out there. Free – PC/MAC
Cryptainer LE: Secure your data and ensure absolute privacy with Cypherix’s powerful 128bit encryption.
BitCrypt: A sophisticated tool allowing for encryption of plain text within a bitmap image.
EasyCrypto: Encrypt both standalone files and entire folders. Many cool options here.
Truecrypt: Free open-source disk encryption software for Windows XP/2000/2003.
MD5HashGen: Simple application that can generate one-way MD5 hashes – Great for password generations.
PerfectPasswords: GRC’s Ultra High Security Password Generator.
RoboForm: A free password manager and one-click web form filler. Just be carefull who uses your PC.
Password Safe: Allows you to have a different password for all the different items that you deal with – remembers for you.
CutePasswordManager: Form filling software that auto fill user/password. Stores info with 256-bit AES encryption – 1click login. *
PIN’s: Storing of any secure information like passwords, accounts, PINs etc. 448 bit Blowfish. Does not install.

Eraser: FBI just kick in the door? This little program will erase data to a level that the Dept. Of. Defense uses.
KillDisk: KillDisk conforms to US Department of Defense clearing and sanitizing standard DoD 5220.22-M.
AutoClave: Hard drive sterilization on a bootable floppy.
SuperShredder: Shred’s individual files. It’s stronger than DOD specs.
DBAN (“Darik’s Boot and Nuke”) is a self-contained boot floppy that makes it an appropriate utility data destruction.

Anonymizer: Installs a small toolbar into your browser. Moves your connection to proxies around the word. Slows connection.
Proxify.com Spoof your IP address without installing software. The paid version is much faster.

SpeedFan: Allows you to see your CPU temperature. Good for overclockers and modders.
Motherboard Monitor: Like speedfan, reads temperature and fan RPM data – alerts you when there’s trouble.
Si Meter: Great/free/small application that does live monitoring on system resources.
TDIMon: Lets you monitor TCP and UDP activity on your local system.
InterMapper: Gives a visual in real-time view of traffic flows through and between critical network devices and links.
WinBar: A compact program that lets you monitor your system and provides easy access to frequently used controls.

RegSupreme: Clean up the registry from old entries, speed up your system. 30day trial.
RegSeeker: Very tiny – does not install. I have tested this and trust it. Many tweak options with it.
RegscrubXP: A great free registry cleaner for XP. Fix those “weird issues” with Windows.
Beclean: is the complete suite of system cleaner. Registry to history – cleans many things.
CCleaner: Removes unused and temporary files from your PC – allowing it to run faster, more efficiently and saving space.
MyUninstaller 1.0: Uninstall anything,clean out old video drivers, uninstall programs that are not in “add/remove”.
DriverCleaner: Made to fully clean out the drivers of ATI and NVIDIA.
MSconfig: Get rid of startup programs that slow your PC down. This would be for Windows 2000.
Starter: It’s better than Msconfig. Also works with Windows 2000, which is nice due to the fact that 2k doesn’t have msconfig.
PreFetch cleaner: A pre-fetch scrubber to clean out files that are used commonly – can be corruption or spyware hiding.

Belarc: Takes a snap-shot about a PC (hardware-software) with a full profile report. This is very handy.
SIW: A small .exe that when ran – gives you all kinds of info about your PC and software. Need this on your tools disk.
PcpBios: Very tiny script that looks at all BIOS related information. RAM, CPU and motherboard instant info.
EVEREST: (recently AIDA32). Like Belarc, gives full system summary of hardware and software/keys.
SpaceMonger: A tool for keeping track of the free space on your computer. It shows a graph of files and sizes.
IP subnet calculator: A diagnostics tool to calculate your network latency and subnet information.
CPUid: A very small application that tells you about your specific specs. (FSB, core clock, dual channel etc.).
PC Pitstop: A good site to check how your doing on fine tuning your computer. It will also help you fix your issues.
PowerMax: Diagnostics for hard drives made by Maxtor. Download, put on a floppy or CD and test your HDD.
MemTest86: Diagnostics for your RAM. Download, put on a floppy or Cd and test your RAM.
Monitor Asset Manager: A Plug and Play monitor information utility. Provide detailed technical information about the target display.
ShieldsUP: Port scanning of all ports or custom scans. See how good your firewall is doing.
BandwidthTest: Test your internet connection speed.

TweakUI: Perfect for somebody who really wants to customize there XP. Made my Microsoft
X-Setup: Like TweakUI but with more functionality and options. Very slick.
ResourceHacker: Get in and really tweak or fix Windows. Great registry GUI hacking.
RenameRecycleBin: I made this registry value in notepad, download/double-click/”yes”/throw away, rename your recycle bin.
Matrix Screensaver: Best (only) Matrix screensaver out on the web. Great options. Here is actual text (change name for you)
FOOOD’s Icons: Great free icons for XP. Default is boring.
Strokit: Advanced mouse gesture recognition engine and command processor.
ReForce: Windows 2k and XP have an issue with Hz in games. This will allow you to set all games at a specific Hz setting.
Keyboard Remapper: Remap your keyboard keys. Easy enough.
ClocX: Analog clock for the desktop.
Xpadder: Map your game pad or RC TX to keyboard keys. Wokrs great for customized controllers.
Alarm: A digital clock that you can set to display a message and play a sound at a time of your choice. AlarmClock
WeatherPlus: Display satellite images and video around the globe, stay updated on current and expected weather conditions.
Nlite: Remove or add Windows components to your Windows CD – for next time you re-install Windows.
AutoStreamer: Just like Nlite, this is specifically for adding Service Packs to your Windows install CD’s.
Digital Blasphemy: Probably the best wallpapers and images on the net.
Konfabulator: Engine that lets you run little files called Widgets that can do pretty much whatever you want them to.

File Recovery: This is free software made by PC Inspector. Really, Really nice if you lost or trashed a file and need it back.
Smart Recovery: Recover data from flash drives: CF, SM, Thumbdrives, micro drives – etc.
Disk Investigator: Discover all that is hidden on your computer hard disk, recover lost data.
File Scavenger: Undelete and data recovery utility for NTFS volumes. 64KB or smaller files can be recovered with free trial.
CDCheck: Utility for the prevention, detection and recovery of damaged files on CD-ROMs and error detection.
Restoration: Tiny program that doesn’t install. Perfect if you trashed a file (even emptied the recycle bin) and you need it back.
RecoverOutlookMail: A little trick for recovering those corrupted .PST files.

FireFox: Drop Internet Explorer and get a superior browser. Check out the add-ons.
Google Chrome: A great webkit based browser by Google. Very fast. *
Opera: If you don’t use FireFox, use Opera. Now that it is free and Ad-free – it is now recommended.
Safari: Apples web browser now for Windows. Great web browser next to Firefox.
Reload Every: Extension for FireFox. Allows you to set reload times on your browser windows so you won’t be logged out.

FileZilla: An FTP program that is superior to “Cute”, and is Free.
WinSCP: Open source SFTP client for Windows using SSH and SCP protocol’s. Secure FTP.
FireFTP: If you use FireFox browser (like you should be) – use this plug-in for FTP functionality in your browser.
Hamachi: Setup two or more computers with an Internet connection into their own virtual network for direct secure communication. How-to’s
FolderShare: Securely keep files synchronized between your devices and remotely download your files from any browser.
LogMeIn: Easy to log into a PC from a PC, MAC or linux machine. No port forwarding involved! Just like terminal services but easier.
Avvenu: Remote connect to your PC from another PC or any web-enabled handheld. Perfect for getting those files you forgot.
Crossloop: Secure screen sharing utility designed for people of all technical skill levels. Basically, TightVNC but no port forwarding needed.
TightVNC: Remote control software- see the desktop of a remote machine and control it with your local mouse and keyboard.
RemoteDesktop: Microsoft remote desktop client side installer for older Windows versions.
RDPortX: A small app I made to change the defualt 3389 port that Remote Desktop ueses. Great for multiple RD servers on the same network.
eMando: Client/server package which you can use to control and manage a computer over a LAN or the Internet.
DirectUpdate: Get an Email of your WAN IP address changes even behind a router (for dynamic ISP’s). 60day trial ($15.00 – buy).
DynDNS: A full list of dynamic IP administration software tools.

CDBurner-XP Pro: Just like it sounds, burning program for Windows. Free.
ImageBurn: A lightweight CD / DVD / HD DVD / Blu-ray burning application.
ISORecorder: Small program to burn images of CD’s. Once installed, right click an .ISO’s or a ROM drive and “create CD image”.
DeepBurner: A full featured Burning app for CD’s, DVD’s and ISO’s. Much like Nero only totally ~~Free

Any suggestions, ideas? Feel free to comment on this article!

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