You get what you pay for. We all know that expression - implying the less you pay, the lower the quality and vice versa. This is not always true of course, because sometimes the best things in life are free. (How's that for getting away with two clichés in one paragraph!)
Zero dollar payout
So what are some good things you can get for free? Well, plenty of decent software is free. There are plenty of reputable free security programs like Avast and Malwarebytes, and tune-up programs like CCleaner. The basic version of these is free - yes, zero monetary cost to you. The upgraded version with more features does however require a purchase.
The price: Pop-ups
If you don't mind the somewhat annoying pop-up messages the free versions include I think you'll find many of these programs do the basic job well. (The pop-ups are prompts to upgrade to the paid version of the software, which in some cases, like Malwarebytes, is worth the investment.)
Try before you buy
Aside from the price, one benefit of free versions is the chance to try them out - you can see how you like their features and what effect they have on your computer's performance. Also, if you suspect an infection on your computer, you can run one free malware scanner after another to check for and remove any nasties. Many times that's all I use when cleaning up my clients' computers. It takes some know-how when deciding what actions to take, but the software is gratis.
Be careful what you download
There is one caveat to mention: Some of the free programs that show up in web searches are actually scams. So be very careful what you download and install. I or other techs will be happy to advise you (for free) on which programs are likely safe. You can also check sites like download.com and bleepingcomputer.com for suggestions and reviews.
Open source options
In addition to the free versions of commercial software there are many free open source programs available for download. (The ones mentioned above, like Avast, are not open source; they are produced by for-profit corporations hoping you will upgrade to the paid versions.) Open source means the source code (the programming used to create the program) is not proprietary - so anyone can inspect it, copy it, modify it, and make a new program from that source code, whether for personal or commercial use.
Community spirit
What I like about open source is there is a community feel to it. Ideally, when people use the open source program they provide feedback to the developer, who in turn improves the program. These programs are often hobbies, experiments, or projects for computer geeks. The developers often accept donations, which I give to the ones whose programs I have benefited from. The downside is sometimes the quality is not at the level of paid programmers.
Open source samples
Here are some examples of open source software you might want to try, available from sourceforge.net
- Apache OpenOffice - use instead of MS Office if you don't already have MS Office
- Darik's Boot and Nuke - use to make a bootable disc so you can erase an old computer's hard drive before you send to e-waste or donate
- Angry IP Scanner - scan your network to learn all the devices connected. It reveals if anyone is on your home or office network who shouldn't be!
- Brave Browser - browse safer and faster by blocking ads and trackers. Brave blocks harmful advertising, tracking pixels and cookies, and redirects sites to HTTPS.
- VLC media player - this is a renowned media player that works with most multimedia files and DVDs, audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols.
So in a nutshell there are numerous useful free software programs available online, some commercially produced, some open source. Like eating tasty fresh fish, enjoy the meat but watch out for the bones.
Thanks for reading.
Sam
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