Digital File Check

Digital File Check is a free piece of software that scans your computer to help identify illegal files and help block or remove unwanted file sharing programmes. The software is regularly updated.

www.ifpi.org/dfc/downloads/dfc.html

Spybot Search and Destroy

Anti-spyware software

www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Lavasoft Anti Spyware

Ad-aware anti spyware software

http://www.lavasoftusa.com

Netnanny

A Parental Control software; especially useful as a lot of illegal music sites have popup ads that are unsuitable for children. With Netnanny the sites themselves can be put on a "block" list

www.netnanny.com/

Super Ad Blocker

Super Ad Blocker is a dedicated pop-up ad blocker that deals with Flash ads, rich media, fly-ins, slide-ins, pop-ups, pop-unders, spyware and adware ads, and messenger ads. Anti-virus programs generally have pop-up blockers built in, but may not be as comprehensive as this programme.

http://www.download.com/Super-Ad-Blocker/3000-7786_4-10295147.html?tag=lst-0-2

McAfee Internet Security Suite 2008

This programme 'bundles' everything in one piece of software, helping you protect your identity and your computer from viruses, spyware, e-mail, and IM scams, hackers, and online predators. It also provides automated backup for important files.

http://www.download.com/McAfee-Internet-Security-Suite/3000-8022_4-10581371.html?cdlPid=10763992

AVG Anti-Virus Software

The free software available is a full working program, very popular and widely used; it is a great starting point for people who often don't feel that they need to pay out for a 'known' brand of anti-virus software

http://free.grisoft.com/

ZoneAlarm Firewall Software

Sometimes overlooked because a basic firewall is bundled with Microsoft Windows, this utility again is free and widely used. There are prompts for the user whenever a program is trying to go out to the internet, which can highlight if downloaded music or software contains viruses or malware that is aiming to send details from your computer to an untrusted source. The prompts allow a user to block all connections with certain sites/computer on the Internet.

http://www.download.com/ZoneAlarm-Firewall-Windows-2000-XP-/3000-10435_4-10039884.html?tag=lst-10