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What new Windows 7 security tools are available?
Even if you're looking at prior or later operating systems, tools for multiple Windows 7 security tasks abound and should be useful across OS versions.
The answer depends on what types of Windows 7 security tools you're talking about. There are tools for malware protection, vulnerability testing, security management, etc. While many IT shops are focusing on moving from Windows XP or adopting Windows 8.1, others are using Windows 7, so tools for it are still significant.
The following are my favorite security tools. Most of them should work, regardless of the version of Windows you're running:
- Advanced SystemCare for cleaning the junk out of your Windows registries and disabling unwanted services
- Cain & Abel network analyzer and password cracker
- CCleaner for cleaning and wiping Windows systems
- CommView for Wi-Fi wireless network analyzer
- Essential Nettools OS and network toolkit
- Faronics Anti-Executable for whitelisting the specific executables that can run on your workstations
- FileLocator Pro for finding files scattered about your workstations and network
- HitmanPro for removing pesky malware that won't go away
- Identity Sweeper Pro for finding unprotected personally identifiable information (PII) on workstations
- LanGuard vulnerability scanner
- Metasploit Framework for exploiting vulnerabilities found by your vulnerability scanners
- NetScanTools Pro network toolkit
- Nexpose vulnerability scanner
- OmniPeek network analyzer
- SQLPing3 for finding running instances of SQL Server Express on workstations that are placing production data at risk
- Sysinternals ShareEnum for finding open shares on the network
- Sysinternals Process Explorer for getting all the details about specific Windows' processes
- Sysinternals TCPView for viewing which executables are using a specific TCP or UDP port number
- WinHex hex editor
- Zenmap graphical user interface for the nmap port scanner
Your needs will certainly vary based on your role and your line of work administering Windows 7 workstations. That said, I highly recommend you check out these tools if you're in any way responsible for managing the security of your workstation environment. Your ability to effectively manage and protect PCs is directly proportional to the Windows 7 security tools in your toolbox. It's really no different than a surgeon, a mechanic or a carpenter in that regard.
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