Essential free software downloads

Here are 10 of the most popular free software downloads on the web. We update this list regularly and welcome suggested additions - visit our forums to have your say.

1 AVG Anti-Virus
Get the free version here
Why pay for anti-virus software when you can have this much-loved bug buster for free.
[read Web User's review]

2 Zone Alarm
Get the free version here
Stop cyber-criminals attacking your computer while you're online with this essential free firewall.
[read Web User's review]

3 Google Toolbar 2.0
Get the free version here
This latest version of the Google Toolbar offers easy searching, blocks pop-ups and makes it easy to fill in online forms.
[read Web User's review]

4 Trillian
Get the free version here
Access several instant messaging services with one handy tool. Essential for chat fans.
[read Web User's review]

5 HijackThis
Get the free version here
The most thorough way to get spyware off your PC - visit our HijackThis forum for details about how to use the tool and getting your log analysed.

6 Adobe Acrobat Reader
Get the free version here
The best software for reading PDF documents - especially useful for reading hardware and software manuals.
[read Web User's review]

7 Core FTP Lite
Get the free version here
You'll find this FTP program very welcome if you need to transfer files to your website with ease.

8 IrfanView
Get the free version here
A great image viewer that's quick to load and offers simple but effective image-editing functions.
[read Web User's review]

9 Spybot Search & Destroy
Get the free version here
Not quite as big as Ad-aware, but this spyware stopper recently won a Web User Gold Award.
[read Web User's review]

10 Pop-up Stopper
Get the free version here
If there was ever a program that deserves the over-used phrase, "does what it says on the tin".

[Discuss these programs now at our Reader Recommends forum]