When it comes to computer security--and job security--why take risks? This month, I have a thorough but easy-to-use virus scanner, a Firefox productivity booster, and an engaging simulation game. The two freebies and the free trial also pose little peril to your pocketbook.

A Second (or Up to 32nd) Opinion

We gave a 2007 World Class award to the free online virus detection service VirusTotal.com, which scans files via dozens of third-party security programs (32 at last count, including big names such as McAfee and Panda). Now, you can skip surfing to VirusTotal.com's Web site; instead, run the service's equally free VirusTotal Uploader program, which is even easier to use than VirusTotal.com. Right-click the questionable file, select Send To, and choose VirusTotal from the send-to options. If no browser window is open, VirusTotal will open your default browser to show you the scan results.

Hispasec Sistemas's VirusTotal Uploader gives no guarantees, but if your file receives a clean bill of health from the likes of Avast, AVG, Kaspersky, McAfee, and Panda, you may not feel a need for opinion number 33. Free.

Manage Your Surfing

It's difficult to resist YouTube, online games, personality quizzes, and the other Web time-wasters. When you're at work, though, resist you must. LeechBlock, a free Firefox extension by James Anderson, helps you protect your focus and productivity--on your own terms.

LeechBlock does so by using the blacklists and rules you define. In its tabbed window, you create up to six renameable "block sets" (one for video sites, say, one for games, and so on). You can assign each block set its own blocking rules. For example, you can specify days of the week and times of the day when sites should be blocked, and you can set the number of minutes you can spend at a frivolous site (during breaks) before LeechBlock kicks in. By default, it shows you its own page when it's blocking, but you can choose a different redirect.

This customizability makes LeechBlock a great tool for folks who need a little help keeping their Web use under control. You might occasionally feel stifled, but it's better than having your boss catch you filling in check boxes to reveal which Harry Potter character you're most like. Free.

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