Free Isn't Always Foul

Just because something is free doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable. Sometimes you get what you pay for. But sometimes you get something wonderful without having to pay. In this economy everyone is tightening their belts and looking for cost effective solutions. Before downloading and installing a free application check with a computer expert such as The Tech Angels of New Rochelle or search for reviews. But there are many wonderfully helpful tools out there just a click away.

Optimum Online, yes the cable and Internet provider, offers some very useful free tools. Network Health Advisor from Pure Networks will test your Internet Security for you with an easy and quick download. If you have an Optimum email you can use this tool. http://scan.networkmagic.com. We recently ran this tool with a client who was seeking an affordable solution to ensure they had setup their wireless network properly. They had Internet capabilities but wanted to make sure they were not providing Internet capabilities to all their neighbors.

Also there is a complete Internet Security package available for all Optimum Online users. The product of the moment offered is called CA Internet Security. We hadn’t heard of this product but an Internet search found an interesting review at http://internet-security-suite-review.toptenreviews.com/ca-review.html. Someone recently discussed their success with this program. So we pulled up reviews. Looks positive.

And of course there is always the old stand by House Call by Trend Microsystems. http://housecall.trendmicro.com/. Upon visiting the page they will ask you to download some software. But these kernels then allow your computer to scan for malware, viruses, worms and more. Since it is web based it uses the most current scan technology of the moment for this particular program.

Free can equal Fabulous not necessarily Foul or Fraud.