May 24, 2007 3:58 PM PDT

Power Downloader's software standbys

Power Downloader

Power Downloader knows which tools to download for a new laptop.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

In the rapidly changing world of computer technology, the laptop Power Downloader purchased only a couple of years ago has quickly become obsolete. In order to keep up with the most advanced Internet criminals, Power decided that it was time to upgrade his trusty laptop. Once he found the right one with the fastest processor, extra RAM, and the latest features, he brought it back to the Power Lair for the most important part of the process: downloading software!

While it seems like his computer goes out of date rather quickly, Power Downloader's favorite programs for a new computer seem to stay the same. Navigating his Web browser to CNET Download.com, Power starts by downloading ZoneAlarm, a shareware firewall with a free component that will erect a barrier between him and would-be hackers. With his first line of defense in place, Power downloads AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, a powerful antivirus program he's grown to trust. To keep pesky spyware off his system, he uses both Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition and Spyware Begone, because Power Downloader has found that two great free antispyware programs provide much better protection than one. Possibly his most used program is his Internet browser, and for super surfing, Power Downloader turns to Mozilla Firefox. Finally, to make his new laptop as flexible as his last one, Power downloads the extra programs he has found useful in the past, such as Trillian for chatting with Kitty Kilobyte and Google Earth so he can find just about anything around the world.

With his new laptop up and running his favorite apps, Power Downloader can easily tell the difference in speed over his older laptop. Though he's not yet used to the feel of his new laptop, Power Downloader feels safe and secure with the old standby programs he has come to trust.

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) 27 comments (Showing first 20 comments)
Good One, Power!
by jiaweilaw May 25, 2007 12:27 AM PDT
These sounds like a good choices. I am currently working with combination of Ad Aware SE with Spybot - search and destroy, and it appears to be very effective. My weekly scans on Ad-Aware SE shows me as free of treat ever since my installation.
Reply to this comment
Good One, Power!
by jiaweilaw May 25, 2007 12:27 AM PDT
These sounds like a good choices. I am currently working with combination of Ad Aware SE with Spybot - search and destroy, and it appears to be very effective. My weekly scans on Ad-Aware SE shows me as free of treat ever since my installation.
Reply to this comment
Great list of software!
by brobar May 25, 2007 2:32 AM PDT
Great minds think alike. I use every program on your list, except one--Spyware Begone. But of course if Power Downloader uses it, I have to get it too!!
Reply to this comment
Great list of software!
by brobar May 25, 2007 2:32 AM PDT
Great minds think alike. I use every program on your list, except one--Spyware Begone. But of course if Power Downloader uses it, I have to get it too!!
Reply to this comment
Not Quite...
by thegodofpimp May 25, 2007 9:30 AM PDT
I've been using lots of software, ever since the dial up days. Im king of free software, although whatever program i use more than 3 months, i buy it and/or contribute some moolah.

AVGFree is top notch. Used norton systemworks but it took too much cpu and memory.

I used the first antispyware mr "Power Downloader" used. Was average at best. Recently, on my friends laptop it didnt detect or remove an annoying spyware popup that states system under attack, click here. http://www.superantispyware.com/
removed the spyware. no hassle. If i wasnt a believer before, i am a SUPER believer now. and thats real talk.

(yes, norton detects ALL viruses including those in the wild, while AVGFree is best at detecting in the wild viruses (meaning new and currently active viruses), so i still used norton antivirus full system checkups like every 4months.)
Reply to this comment
Not Quite...
by thegodofpimp May 25, 2007 9:30 AM PDT
I've been using lots of software, ever since the dial up days. Im king of free software, although whatever program i use more than 3 months, i buy it and/or contribute some moolah.

AVGFree is top notch. Used norton systemworks but it took too much cpu and memory.

I used the first antispyware mr "Power Downloader" used. Was average at best. Recently, on my friends laptop it didnt detect or remove an annoying spyware popup that states system under attack, click here. http://www.superantispyware.com/
removed the spyware. no hassle. If i wasnt a believer before, i am a SUPER believer now. and thats real talk.

(yes, norton detects ALL viruses including those in the wild, while AVGFree is best at detecting in the wild viruses (meaning new and currently active viruses), so i still used norton antivirus full system checkups like every 4months.)
Reply to this comment
Best free antispywear
by jphelps19 May 25, 2007 1:33 PM PDT
Ive used all the antispywear that power downloader has, and none of them has compared to the new Spyware Terminator. It is light on the system as it runs and on its first scan it detected spyware that ad adware and spybot had missed. It also comes with a great realtime shield that detects spyware before it can be installed on your system. It is a must in the fight against spyware.
Reply to this comment
Best free antispywear
by jphelps19 May 25, 2007 1:33 PM PDT
Ive used all the antispywear that power downloader has, and none of them has compared to the new Spyware Terminator. It is light on the system as it runs and on its first scan it detected spyware that ad adware and spybot had missed. It also comes with a great realtime shield that detects spyware before it can be installed on your system. It is a must in the fight against spyware.
Reply to this comment
Good software, but there are better programs
by flashmx2004 May 25, 2007 10:41 PM PDT
AVG is quite good, but I'd rather use Avira AntiVir. AntiVir is also free and offers even greater protection than AVG, except in emails. Ad-Aware seems good, but I prefer AVG Antispyware. Of course, the king of firewalls ZoneAlarm, is still the best.
Reply to this comment
Good software, but there are better programs
by flashmx2004 May 25, 2007 10:41 PM PDT
AVG is quite good, but I'd rather use Avira AntiVir. AntiVir is also free and offers even greater protection than AVG, except in emails. Ad-Aware seems good, but I prefer AVG Antispyware. Of course, the king of firewalls ZoneAlarm, is still the best.
Reply to this comment
Bill Quick is worth the time and money.
by GingerTek May 28, 2007 10:37 PM PDT
BillQuick's training and support staff helped us learn their time and billing software in a very short amount of time, and customized it to fit our business needs. Thank you, BillQuick! Now we can accurately track our productivity and profitability in a matter of seconds.
Reply to this comment
Bill Quick is worth the time and money.
by GingerTek May 28, 2007 10:37 PM PDT
BillQuick's training and support staff helped us learn their time and billing software in a very short amount of time, and customized it to fit our business needs. Thank you, BillQuick! Now we can accurately track our productivity and profitability in a matter of seconds.
Reply to this comment
122554455221
by nuralove May 29, 2007 11:32 AM PDT
Reply to this comment
122554455221
by nuralove May 29, 2007 11:32 AM PDT
Reply to this comment
veary goods
by drlolo May 29, 2007 10:35 PM PDT
Reply to this comment
veary goods
by drlolo May 29, 2007 10:35 PM PDT
Reply to this comment
baby talk ipooh
by lievenv May 31, 2007 8:17 AM PDT
Come on guys, power downloader?
How old is the average cnet.com visitor? Three?
Reply to this comment
baby talk ipooh
by lievenv May 31, 2007 8:17 AM PDT
Come on guys, power downloader?
How old is the average cnet.com visitor? Three?
Reply to this comment
What no Netvibes or
by nutjob June 1, 2007 8:30 AM PDT
Remember the Milk, online free storage system like Box.net,
Reply to this comment
What no Netvibes or
by nutjob June 1, 2007 8:30 AM PDT
Remember the Milk, online free storage system like Box.net,
Reply to this comment
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