The Best List of Free Windows Security Software on the Web

[Curt]

Once again I want to throw something or even someone out the window. Because I live on the 7'th floor, this is usually not a good idea. So instead I beat the keyboard...:

I got the same email many of you also got today from Gizmo's Freeware a.k.a. TechSupportAlert, recommending a new article entitled "The Best List of Free Windows Security Software on the Web" ((formerly known as Probably the Best Free Security List in the World.))

Wow, what a title; I simply had to follow that link! So I clicked the http://..., (no s in http) but Firefox replaced the page with this error message "Content Encoding Error. The page can not be shown because it uses an invalid or unsupported form of compression. Please contact the owners of the site around this problem.".

I have met this problem before, so I peacefully took a deep breath (in order to keep my monitor inside the apartment), and right-clicked the link to open in Internet Explorer 11, which had no problem opening the page. IE can also show the s version: https://..., but my Firefox will at best display a very crippled version, sometimes nothing.
What about your browser?  

I like both Gizmo and Firefox, but I am truly disappointed:

• What good is a browser that won't browse, a page that will not load, a list that will not list?

 

I actually came here to say that there is this list, and it is a really interesting read  
# and you can have it with or without s #

http://www.techsuppo...urity-list-world.htm
https://www.techsupp...urity-list-world.htm

Announcements:

• May 9, 2015: Section "All Items" has been added to this page. It contains a link allowing you to view the entire list on a single page.

• Apr. 23, 2015: We have begun using an automated link checker to identify broken and redirected links. Broken links will be repaired if possible or else deleted. This has not begun yet.

• Apr. 15, 2015: This list was formerly known as Probably the Best Free Security List in the World. The list was split into many articles. Some keys were removed. Paid items were removed. All links, except for intra-list navigation links, should now open in a separate tab or window when clicked. The links in the Related Links section of this page have changed. Section Recently Deleted Items has been added to this page. Numerous formatting changes were made.

-Gizmo

http://www.techsuppo...urity-list-world.htm
https://www.techsupp...urity-list-world.htm

[IainB]

Thanks. Great list.
Odd. I have FF v38.0 beta, and it makes no objection to the absence of an "s" in the URL prefix http://...
It never has objected to it either, as far as I recall.

I live in a 5th floor apt. Not sure if that might make a difference.

[tomos]

Could be a height problem alright -
works fine here on the third floor.

btw, thanks Curt

[cyberdiva]

Curt, all four of my browsers (Pale Moon 25.4, Firefox 37.0.2, Opera 12.17, and IE 11) had no problem with the non-https URL.  Both Pale Moon  and Firefox presented a much truncated version of the https version, after first going to a very limited version of the Gizmo home page.  Opera had no problem with the https version.  IE balked at the https version, claiming it was showing only secure elements.  When I told it to show all elements, it showed the same normal version that Opera showed, though according to WinPatrol, it also installed an additional ActiveX component.

I live in a one-story house, so I can't do much damage throwing something out the window.   

[Vurbal]

I started having that problem with Gizmo's Freeware a couple years back. In my case at least, the problem appears to be a complete lack of CSS. That wasn't always the case, but since it started, it's been completely consistent. I ended up adding an exception for the site to HTTPS Everywhere.

I did go ahead and try it out in both my desktop and mobile Firefox, and I get the stripped down page in both. Then I found the issue. The external stylesheets (and apparently some images) are being served via regular HTTP. Turning off mixed content protection solves the problem.

Well it answers the question. It only solves the problem if you consider trading up for a bigger problem to be a solution. I wonder if anyone has ever pointed this out to them.

[Curt]

I live in a 5th floor apt. Not sure if that might make a difference.

-IainB (May 09, 2015, 11:06 AM)

Could be a height problem alright - works fine here on the third floor.

-tomos (May 09, 2015, 04:07 PM)

I live in a one-story house, so I can't do much damage throwing something out the window.

-cyberdiva (May 10, 2015, 11:47 AM)

oh, I just knew I could count on you guys to brighten up my day   Thank you!  

I started having that problem with Gizmo's Freeware a couple years back.

-Vurbal (May 10, 2015, 12:37 PM)

so did I. But I assumed it was because of my many addons for Firefox, so instead I subscribed to their email, and automated the use of Internet Explorer. But now I am on a new old computer, so I forgot.

I wonder if anyone has ever pointed this out to them.

-Vurbal (May 10, 2015, 12:37 PM)

I don't think anyone has; the Contact-page has no contact, only adverts.

[Vurbal]

I started having that problem with Gizmo's Freeware a couple years back.

-Vurbal (May 10, 2015, 12:37 PM)

so did I. But I assumed it was because of my many addons for Firefox, so instead I subscribed to their email, and automated the use of Internet Explorer. But now I am on a new old computer, so I forgot.

-Curt (May 10, 2015, 05:37 PM)

Funny you should say that. I came to the same conclusion. I actually tried disabling them 1 at a time back then, but didn't figure it was worth actually uninstalling anything over. Apparently I was right, since it wouldn't have fixed the problem anyway.

I wonder if anyone has ever pointed this out to them.

-Vurbal (May 10, 2015, 12:37 PM)

I don't think anyone has; the Contact-page has no contact, only adverts.

So you're saying we should report that first?