Mailwasher is free to use and won’t ever expire. Use this powerful spam filter / spam blocker software to effectively stop E-mail spam. It is easy to set up and keeps your Inbox free from clutter. Download it here.

Windows Firewall does not check on programmes trying to talk to the internet from your PC. This is a problem if the PC has become infected with spyware, as such programmes have to report back to their source via the internet. Microsoft has developed a free anti-spyware, aptly named Microsoft Defender, that does monitor such activity. This version also removes spyware that has slipped through to your PC. It is free to download below.

Tip : If you’re not 100% sure as to what applications are running in the background, right click on the Task bar (that strip that runs across the bottom of the desktop from the Start menu). When the box appears, click on Task Manager and then on Processes. This shows all that is running, most of which are required by Windows itself. For example, if you saw ad-aware.exe running, that is the genuine programme. But if it said adaware.exe, without the hyphen, then that is spyware. Any of these application running in Processes can be checked by typing the exact words into a search engine. That will tell you if it is genuine or not.

As with viruses, spyware has caused so much controversy that a number of software programers have developed utilities to eliminate it. Such is the feeling surrounding the issue that many of these are either shareware or completely free. Perhaps the most complete freeware tool is Spybot Search and Destroy. This not only sniffs out and removes hidden fiends, it can also immunise your system against over 400 different spies. Regularly updated data files help keep you protected and the package even supports over 30 different languages.      Download

Working alongside Spybot is another excellent freeware tool Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition which eliminates other nasties that can infect the PC whilst surfing online. These two programmes are a must unless you have other anti spyware programmes. These two free tools help to make online experience more safe.  Download

Have you ever needed a postcode for a UK address and didn’t know where to look? With Royal Mail, this problem is overcome. All you need do is register with the site ( very simple ) using an E-mail address and a password which you create. Once registered, you are allowed to obtain up to eight postcodes per day. Download

Fly around the planet from the comfort of your own Desktop with this free application.

Unlike Google’s many other tools, Google Earth is not an online service but an application that you must download and install. It is free but before proceeding, you should be aware that it’s use requires both a reasonably modern computer ( no more than four years old ) and a broadband Internet connection. If you have both of these, then launch your browser and direct it to http://earth.google.com   When the website appears, click on the Google Earth link ( top right hand corner of the page.)  When the dialogue box appears, click the middle button “Save” to save the file to My Documents or wherever suits you. The file is a little over 10 MB, so shouldn’t take too long.

Once you have installed the application, this is what you will see. The application window will initially be empty but very soon you will see a depiction of planet Earth. There is an awful lot to explore. You can either type in a place such New York, London or wherever . You can also type in coordinates for a place ( assuming you know them ). One such coordinate is for Mount Everest  If you enter  27 59 16 N, 86 56 40 E into Google Earth’s Search box and click Search, you’ll arrive at Mt. Everest. Now if you haven’t already done so, put a tick in Terrain box at the bottom and then you can rotate, pan or tilt the Google Earth to view the peak in all it’s glory.

Why litter your Desktop or home with bits of paper when your computer can do the job instead. This little free programme is simple and intuitive. Post-It Notes sits perfectly on your Desktop, allowing you to write messages or appointments and will sound a tune when your appointment is due. It is easy to operate and is freeware. If you decide after installing it that it is not for you, simply remove it off the PC using the Add and Remove Programs in Control Panel.  Download

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