This is a sticky for my friends who regularly ask me for the best free security tools. They're tried and tested by not just me over the past few years on a zillion PCs and laptops, but they're also peer-tested and highly recommended. So whether or not you're using a PC or a laptop, download the following tools for maximum security. Yes, you'll need them all.

Firewall:
Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall

Antivirus:
Avast Home Edition
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 7.5

Spyware Removal
Ad Aware SE Personal Edition
Spybot Search and Destroy

Diagnostics:
Belarc Advisor

A few are also under review now and I'll add them when they've completed testing.

Technorati: PC Security, firewall, antivirus, spyware removal, diagnostics, technology