Note: There are a great many ad blockers and pop-up stoppers in this listing. Recently some commercial and corporate sites have taken measures to cripple or avoid having their ads blocked, sometimes causing your browser to crash or your computer to seize up. While there's no real workaround as yet, you should be aware of the situation. More to follow.

Note #2: See the info on PC Magazine downloads here.

!Panic 1.0.5 is a free Internet Explorer 5 add-on that hides your surfing history from anyone else who uses your PC. It also comes with a "Panic" button that reduces its window to what looks like a minimized MSWord document. Good for fooling the boss. Slip over to www.gr-fix.com/panic/ to see for yourself.

@Start 3.1 is a custom homepage for Internet Explorer which loads from your hard drive when IE is opened and displays customized links, news stories, direct access to 5 search engines (Google, Alta Vista, Lycos, MSN and Yahoo), recently-typed URL list, Favorites, and History. Free from www.atstart.org/.

1TabView 2.2 is an IE plugin that defines sets of Web pages that you can open all at once in a tabbed display (no multiple browser windows to suck down your system resources). Useful for those of us who visit the same few sites over and over again during a day. $10 from www.1tabview.com/index.htm.

32bit Service Monitor s9.50.01 monitors your Web site and other network services with this utility. $59 from www.electrasoft.com/32bs.htm.

3d Traceroute 1.0.13:31 gives you a colorful, graphical traceroute display for your Net connection. Free from www.hlembke.de/prod/3dtraceroute/.

404Browser 1.4 is an IE-based browser that, like others of its ilk, is smaller and quicker than its bloatware parent. Free from www.ltpb.8m.com/404Browser/.

40tude Dialog 2.0.3.1 is a highly configurable newsgroup reader that handles different languages. Free from www.40tude.com/dialog/ .

A1Monitor Network Monitor (TCP or Web) 6.2.3 monitors multiple Web or TCP servers and notifies you by e-mail or pager if any servers can't be reached after consecutive attempts. $100 from www.a1monitor.com/.

Aaron's Web Vacuum 2.30 is a utility that downloads files from web sites; ideal for downloading pictures from web pages with thumbnails, all the MP3s from web sites, or all the files off of any site. The full version is $22; you might start with the free, "lite" version to see if it's worth your money. Visit www.surfwarelabs.com/ for more info.

ABC-EDUCA Startpage Creator 0.3 lets you create a dynamic HTML (DHTML) Start page from your bookmarked favorites. Free from www.abc-educa.nl/download-spc.html.

Absolutely On-Line 2.91 performs the minimum activity required to avoid the line being dropped and automatically clicks on the pop-up window that asks if you'd like to continue your connection. You can also set it to save your password and automatically connect and disconnect to your ISP, and sets your system clock using an Internet Time Server. $15 from www.jimjams.com/.

AbsoluteShield Internet Eraser 3.22 protects your privacy by cleaning up all the tracks of your Internet and computer activities. Erases the browser cache, history, cookies, typed URLs, autocomplete list and so on. You can also use it to automatically erase those tracks when you quit IE or quit Windows. Additional plug-ins can erase tracks left by other applications such as Microsoft Office, WinZip, RealPlayer and Windows Media Player. $35 from www.internet-track-eraser.com/ (a "lite" version is free).

Accelerate 4.0 is one of many browser accelerators listed on this page. This one does its job by modifying your data transfer settings in Windows. $20 from www.webroot.com/.

AcqURL 5.0 is a sophisticated bookmark manager with lots of features. $35 to keep from www.acqurl.com/.

Actioneer 3.1 Smart Portal is a freebie from www.actioneer.com/ that works with either Navigator or MSIE to help you find Web-based information without using bookmarks or typing in URLs. Actioneer is tied in with over 100 Web sites, from Amazon.com to Yahoo!, and automatically updates itself. Keywords are customizable, and works nicely with Lotus Notes, MSOutlook, and various Palm organizers. All in all, a very nice download.

Active Whois 1.0 BETA is a network information utility that lets you find information about the owners of Internet domains and addresses. $20 from www.johnru.com/activewhois/.

ActiveCaption allows you to speed Web surfing by running background searches of multiple search engines and streamline your bookmark organization. Works with MSIE and Netscape only. Free from www.oneseek.com/.

Active XCavator 2.0 locates and identifies all the ActiveX controls installed on your PC. You'd be surprised just how many of these little buggers MSIE will download and install on your computer without so much as a by-your-leave. Free from www.cognitronix.com/.

Actual Title Buttons 1.3 adds two buttons to the ubiquitous three in the upper right corner of any Windows program's title bar, Stay on Top and Minimize to Tray. This sounds intriguing; I've gotta try this one. $20 to keep from www.actualtools.com/index.shtml.

Acutesearch 1.0 enables shortcut Internet searches within the Internet Explorer address bar. For example, you can establish a search prefix for Google called "google," then type "google Scotland" to search for "Scotland" at Google directly from IE's address bar. You could do the same with any other search engine or library, such as the Internet Movie Database. Free from www.acutesearch.com/.

AddaButton 1.6 lets you add a button (up to 20) to MSIE's toolbar for a one-click launch of a Web site, program, or document within your browser. Free from www.harmonyhollow.net/.

Ad-Aware 5.83 finds and deletes "spyware" from your PC that may have been placed on your machine without your knowledge. Similar in function to Steve Gibson's OptOut, this utility finds spyware from Web3000, Gator, Cydoor, Radiate/Aureate, Conducent/TimeSink, and CometCursor, among many others. (Note: Gibson has retired his OptOut program in favor of Ad-aware.) Free from www.lsfileserv.com/ or www.lavasoftusa.com/. An essential program for any Web user.

Ad-Terminator is a simple text file that sits in your \WINDOWS\ directory and has your computer contact the Ledgerlabs site whenever an ad is requested; the site then replaces the ad with a blank screen. Free from www.ledgerlabs.com/.

Address URL Edit 1.1 helps users edit URL address dropdown lists in Internet Explorer. $15 from www.fadsoft.com/address_url_editor.htm.

AdFree 3.1 removes banner ads from Web sites. The program filters your Web connections as you surf and blocks ads you don't want. Unlike other ad blockers that use proxies, AdFree looks in your Windows HOSTS file for a Web server's IP address. When a page calls an ad, AdFree edits the HOSTS file and substitutes a dummy file for the banner ad. You selectively choose which banners you don't want to view in the future by right-clicking the ad and specifying the server you want to block. Also lets you block entire sites. Free from lucille.dhs.org/.

AdKiller 1.2 is an aptly named utility that stops ads from coming up during your surfing. In addition, the vendor asks you to report ads that make it through the screens, so that they can be blocked in the future. Free from www.adkiller.com/, but if you register it ($15), you get rid of the nagging registration reminders. Updates are free.

AdKiller Daemon v1.0.15r2 is a free pop-up killer from mycgiserver.com/~adkiller/ that uses the window title and size to determine whether it is an advertising window or not. It comes with about 400 pre-loaded titles and allows you to edit them or add new ones. Configurable to close any window that is smaller in height and/or width than specified, or to simply prevent any additional windows from opening, and includes a feature that can automatically search for dependent windows and close them automatically.

AdsCleaner 4.2 stops pop-ups, banner adds, and quite a bit more. $25 to keep from www.adscleaner.com/.

AdvertisingCleaner 2.0 blocks pop-ups and many types of spyware from infesting your system. $25 from www.productsfoundry.com/advertisingcleaner/.

Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 is an absolutely essential browser plug-in (and standalone program) that enables you to read .PDF files. It's a big one, and slow as molasses, but it works, and you need it. Grab it for free from www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html.

Adobe Reader Speedup 1.32 greatly speeds the loading of the above Adobe Reader by blocking the innumerable, and often-unneccesary, loading of Reader plug-ins. Customize the utility by deciding which plug-ins you need, and disable the rest. Free from www.tnk-bootblock.co.uk/prods/misc/.

AdsGone Popup Killer 3.5.1 removes most banners and pop-ups regardless of which browser you use, and makes browsing faster by preventing ad content from loading. $12 from www.adsgone.com/.

AdsOff 2.0 is a $19 utility from intercantech.com/ that filters banner ads, pop-ups, and even animated GIFs from coming up as you surf the Web. You can configure it to block as much or as little as you like. Compatible with Opera, MSIE, and Navigator. When you register, you also purchase a year of free updates. (Note: No longer supported by the vendor, even though it still works. You might try downloading it from www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,6182,tk,hsx,00.asp instead.)

AdSubtract Pro 3.0 filters cookies, pop-ups, GIFs, scripts, music, and Flash, as you choose. $30 to keep from www.adsubtract.com/ (the SE version is free).

AdWiper 1.02 is another ad removal utility for your browser. $18 to keep from www.webwiper.com/frameset.htm.

Afreet Site Viewer is an MSIE add-on that makes it easy to view a site's directory structure. An ad-supported version is free; lose the ads for $10. Go to www.netvampire.com/siteviewer/ for more info.

AI Roboform 5.4.1 completes those ubiquitious Web forms for you. Free, but limited to MSIE users; get it at www.roboform.com/.

Alchemy Eye PRO 4.4 is a system management tool that continuously monitors server availability and performance. In the event of network errors, the program alerts the network administrator by cell phone or pager before problems get seriously out of hand. $299 from www.alchemy-lab.com/products/eye/pro.html.

Alchemy Network Monitor PRO 4.9.3 is a system management tool that continuously monitors server availability and performance. It can alert the network administrator by cell phone or pager in the event of network errors, before problems get seriously out of hand. $299 from www.deksoftware.com/alchemy/index.html.

AlertPing 2.4.1 is a tool which verifies the accessibility of a computer by building a list of TCP/IP devices (computers, printers and others) to verify their network connections, periodically pinging each device and notifying any failed ping requests. It features a traceroute function, and you can specify the type of warning message issued when there is a failed ping request. Free from www.psgsoft.com/.

Alexa 5.0 is a free browser utility from www.alexa.com/ that provides you with lists of related sites to the ones you surf to. It also provides you with "traffic" and "freshness" reports, along with information about the Web site authors. Affiliated with Amazon.com, so expect lots of referrals to that site. Ad-aware considers Alexa "adware" and so do I. Note: Alexa comes bundled with most versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer. Feel free to remove it.

AllegroSurf 5.0.0.3 gives you control of the Internet by sharing your connection with others while also accelerating its speed and filtering out unwanted content. Uses advanced filtering techniques to allow you to block unwanted content in numerous categories from your Web browser. $60 from www.allegrosurf.com/.

Alphabetical Bookmark Collector 1.01 is a plain and simple bookmark manager that allows you to quickly access your IE Favorites from an alphabetical register instead of a folder tree. It's very useful if you have several Favorites and want to search them by name. The index is mouse-sensitive, so you can just move your mouse over the letters in order to display the Favorites associated with them. Free from cocoholo.com/.

AltaVista Discovery 1.0 is a search tool based on the AltaVista Web search engine, but searches both your system and the Internet for specific information, using your browser to created easily indexed and organized search results. Look for it at www.altavista.com/.

AltaVista Messenger Beta is a free messenger utility that allows you to send messages to users of both MSN Messenger and AOL's Instant Messenger. Users of AltaVista's message client can send voice messages to each other, also send files, set up voice chats, etc. Available from www.altavista.com/.

Amaya 4.3 is the W3C's own browser, used to implement and showcase new HTML, XHTML, XML, etc protocols. An excellent choice for Web developers, though not for the average surfer. As it is open source software, it is frequently upgraded. Free from www.w3.org/amaya/.

AmiWeb Secure Browser for Kids! 2.0 is a kid-safe browser that guides your young surfers to pre-approved sites. Colorful and interactive, and free from www.midmultimedia.com/amiweb_ca/.

AmphetaDesk 0.24 is a configurable news provider that adds news content to your Desktop. Free from www.disobey.com/amphetadesk/.

AnalogX FastCache 1.0 speed ups your Internet connection by caching DNS requests. This is a caching DNS server that runs on your local machine and handles any DNS request that your computer makes. Every time you launch a Web site, send an e-mail or perform any other Internet activity, your computer needs to look up the domain name from your ISP's DNS server. It only takes a couple hundred milliseconds per request, but these seconds can add up over time or slow you down if DNS response is slow. FastCache caches the results for a configurable number of days, so you don't have to waste time on repetitive DNS lookups. Free from www.analogx.com/.

AnalogX Pow! 1.58 is a well-known pop-up ad killer that works efficiently and unobtrusively. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me; instead, it insisted on closing every browser windows open. Your mileage may vary. Free from www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/pow.htm.

Angry IP Scanner 2.21 lets you scan any range of IP addresses looking for a live connection, or you can search a specific hostname on your network to find the IP address. Provides a listing that has the information on whether an IP address is dead or active, and can export the list into an HTML, XML, TXT, or CSV file. You can right-click an active IP address and get the NetBIOS information, or perform tasks such as opening the IP address in a Web browser, opening the IP address in an explorer window, open an FTP connection (if possible), telnet to the IP address, or start a traceroute command. Fits on a floppy. Free from www.angryziber.com/ipscan/.

Annotate is a browser add-on that adds to your browsing experience; after downloading the utility and subscribing to Annotate's service, as you browse you'll sometimes see a Desktop alert that signals more information available from the Annotate system. Click it to see what Annotate thinks might go well with the page you're browsing. Free from www.annotate.net/.

Anonymity 4 Proxy is a browser utility that uses proxy servers to keep your Web surfing hidden from prying eyes. $45 to keep from www.inetprivacy.com/a4proxy/index.html.

Anonymizer Private Surfing 2.0 is the gold standard of private Web surfing. $30 a year gets you the premium service, but you can use the service free, if you don't mind slower surfing and some various annoyances. Find out more from www.anonymizer.com/.

Any Speed 1.3 gauges the transfer speeds of your local network, Internet, or CD-ROM transfer by sending a data packet over the Web, waiting for an echo reply, and seeing how many bytes you can transfer or receive from the internet per second. $19 from www.pysoft.com/anyspeed_fr.html.

Arachne 1.70 is a small graphical browser for use on DOS or Linux systems, especially older ones. Good alternative to Windows-dependent bloatware products. Free from home.arachne.cz/.

Ativa 3.11 monitors your Internet connection and allows you to optimize your DUN settings for peak performance. Features include a real-time graphical monitor, automatic connect and disconnect, event alarms, and ping support. $17 from www.ativapro.com/.

AtStart Page 1.0 automatically creates a custom home page for Internet Explorer. You can easily add links to it, access your favorites or last typed URLs, or search a selection of search engines. Free from www.screen-capture.net/.

AuctionFerret queries the major auction sites on the net, hunting down the goodies you send it after. No longer supported by FerretSoft, but still available on many shareware sites.

AutoForm 2000 2.02 automatically fills out Web forms with pre-loaded information. If you fill out a lot of Web forms, you might decide that $10 is cheap for the service this provides. Check it out at www.superscalar.homepage.com/.

AutoRefresh 1.01 is a utility that automatically refreshes a browser window at specified intervals. Most useful for sites that need frequent refreshing, like stock tickers, game updates, news sites, etc. Free from dqdb.hypermart.net/softwares/autorefresh/.

AutoSizer 1.4 automatically resizes newly opened browser windows to maximized mode. Only works with relatively recent browser releases. Free from www.southbaypc.com/AutoSizer/.

AutoWhat? 2 lets you edit the data used in IE's AutoComplete feature. Free from www.pcworld.com/utilities/.

AutoWinNet95 5.2 is one of the better programs that lets you automatically download files from the Internet without having to hover over the PC. It also sends e-mail messages and binary messages to Usenet, all while you get reaquainted with the family. It is available free from www.autowinnet.com/.

Avant Browser 10.0 is an Internet Explorer-based Web browser offering many enhancements over the original. It features tabbed interface, pop-up window stopper, restores sites if browser is not properly closed, offers additional mouse functions, has a built-in Google search engine, integrated Cleaner, and more. Free from www.avantbrowser.com/.

AvantGo Client, free from www.avantgo.com/, lets you snag info from Web sites on your desktop PC, then automatically download it to your palm-size PC via HotSync.

BeFaster 2.40 is a tidy collection of goodies that speed and enhance your Internet connection, most by tweaking the Registry Win 95/98 only. $23 from www.ekremdeniz.com/.

BHO Cop 1.0 is a utility that allows you to disable BHOs (Browser Handling Objects) without uninstalling them. BHOs are little adware utilities that many shareware sites use to implement their programs; not only are they "adware" that reports information about your computer and your surfing habits back to their home companies, but they are often configured to disable their associated programs if uninstalled. Therefore, the usefulness of BHO Cop becomes clear -- the downloaded programs can run, and the BHOs can't tattle. Free from www.pcmag.com/utilities/.

BHODemon 1.0 is another utility that handles those annoying Browser Handling Objects. Free from www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm.

BlackWidow 4.40, $40 from www.softbytelabs.com/, is an Internet utility that allows you to download Web pages or Net files without connecting with the Net.

BlazingTools Instant Source 1.4 opens an additional toolbar at the bottom of the Internet Explorer window. It shows the HTML of the current page or selection or an item under the cursor. $20 from www.blazingtools.com/is.html.

Bomis Browser is a new, free Web browser that provides all the modern functionality of the big boys, and eliminates pop-up ads from the display. Find out more at www.bomis.com/about/download.html.

Bookmark Converter 2.85 lets you synchronize your Navigator Bookmarks and your MSIE Favorites; it also sorts Navigator bookmarks alphabetically, something that later versions of that browser won't do. $8 to keep from www.magnusbrading.com/bmc/.

Bookmark Manager 4.0.0-pre5 is a nice program that, well, manages your bookmark. The program's default language is German, but you can switch to English by going to Extras, Optionen, Ubersetzungen and selecting the bottom item. Free from bkm.sourceforge.net/.

BookmarkBridge 0.60 Beta is a small program for sharing bookmarks between Internet Explorer, Mozilla, and Opera. Free from bookmarkbridge.sourceforge.net/.

BookmarkPriest is "donationware" (i.e. send money if you want to, but the program is free) from homepage.uibk.ac.at/~csab3666/index-e.html that converts bookmarks/favorites to and from Netscape, Opera, and Internet Explorer.

BookmarkSync 1.3 is a free utility from either www.bookmarksync.com/ or www.synchit.com/ that allows real-time access of bookmarks, favorites and files from any computer or browser. Works with Windows 95/98/NT/2K and MacOS and does not require manual importing or exporting. It allows import of AOL favorite places and Palm Pilot bookmarks, and the editing of bookmarks on site.

BroadPage Free 3.2 is a standalone browser with the ability to open up to 100 pages simultaneously (not that most of us could deal with that many pages open at once). Nice, small footprint (under 2MB). Free from www.broadpage.com/index.html if you don't mind ads; $25 for an ad-free version.

BrowseAbility is a useful bookmark management utility from www.melanie-systems.com/ that works with recent versions of both MSIE and Netscape; a Mac version is in the works. It costs $30 to keep, but has several very sophisticated functions that the freebie managers don't, such as the ability to store "Picmarks," screen shots of bookmarked Web pages.

Browse3D Browser 1.0 rides atop MSIE 5.5 (or later versions) and displays Web pages in 3D view, up to 16 at once. If you've got the system resources, and the display doesn't give you a headache, this might be a fascinating way to enhance your browsing. Free trial, $30 to keep from www.browse3d.com/.

BrowseFresh is a freebie from www.pcmag.com/utilities/ that automatically monitors selected Web sites and refreshes them when they are updated. Useful for sites that change a lot, i.e. stock tickers, message boards, news sites, etc. Only runs in MSIE 4 or later.

Browser Bob 1.01 is a standalone browser that lets you design your own skins for maximum viewing pleasure. Free from www.browserbob.com/.

Browserola 1.01 is a "browser emulator" that claims to simulate various browsers. Useful for modeling potential Web sites, etc. Free from www.bizdomain.com/browserola/.

BrowserSizer 1.02 addresses the obscure question of how big our Web site actually looks on different size monitors. Think it doesn't matter? Try designing a flashy site on a 21", 1024x768 res mammoth and see how scrunched and unfriendly it becomes on a proletarian 15" screen. This freebie simulates how your site looks on different screens, in either Navigator or IE. Cost: one uncanceled stamp. Get it from www.vasile.com/racecar/stampware/.

BrowseTo 1.0 lets you go directly to unlinked URLS (such as the ones on this page) by right-clicking. IE only; Mozilla's Firefox has the capability built in by using its TextLinks extension. Free from www.straightnochaser.org/goodies/aboutbrowseto.html.

BrowseUp 1.0 lets its members share online content among themselves. Free from www.browseup.com/.

Browz 3D 1.0 is a browser for 3D models of various types. It supports 3DS, ASC, DXF, LWO, OBJ and T3D formats with 4 display modes, wireframe, vertices transparent and opaque. You can zoom and rotate the model and highlight one of the meshes inside the model. Free from users.skynet.be/bk232951/appbrowz3d.html.

Bugnosis 1.3 analyzes Web pages you visit and alerts you when it finds Web bugs (invisible graphics that can monitor your surfing habits). If it finds a possible Web bug, it alerts you and makes the culprit visible. Works with Internet Explorer version 5.0 or later only. Free from www.bugnosis.org/.

Bullet Proof Connection 3.1 is an intelligent internet surfing simulator that promises to keep your internet connection stable and prevent your modem from being disconnected by your ISP due to inactivity. $15 from www.chithai.com/.

BullsEye 2 2.5 is a free utility that probes search engines for the desired results. A more powerful version costs $150, but check the freeware version out before laying out the cash at www.intelliseek.com/.

Bullwhip.com is a free Web-based "extranet" utility that allows teams of users to access private Web pages. Ideal for businesses, families, or anyone who needs to keep in close electronic contact. Check it out at www.bullwhip.com/.

Bumper 1.0 is a small Web browser that allows you to move through a site merely by "bumping" the side of the screen with your pointer. Free from www.stereopsis.com/bumper/.

Buzz 3D Browser 1.1 Beta touts itself as a new, "3-dimensional" browser that lets you view up to 48 Web pages at one time. It's either a breakthrough or a migraine producer; you decide. It's free for the taking at www.buzz3d.com/.

CableNut 4.08 is a tool for optimizing your Windows TCP/IP stack (your Internet connection). You can tweak just about every TCP connection, load custom setting files included with the program, make your own custom settings, and get help from the makers. All for free from www.cablenut.com/.

Cache Banish 5.0, formerly Cache Killer Pro, is a nifty little MSIE-only cache cleaner tool. $10 from zpay.com/.

Cache Decimator 31.33.7 gives you instant access to such functions as clearing history, emptying the recycle bin, clearing the Run history, clearing Internet Explorer's cache, etc. Free from members.aol.com/gluetube149/.

CacheSentry for Internet Explorer is a program that fixes serious bugs in the Internet Explorer cache manager (versions 3.0 on up through and including IE4 SP1, Internet Explorer for Windows 98, and IE5.5). It basically takes over the job of managing the cache from Internet Explorer, resulting in better browsing. Free from www.cachesentry.com/.

CacheX for Internet Explorer 3.02 lets you view your MSIE browser cache offline. $30 to keep from www.mwso.com/.

CacheX for Netscape 3.02 lets you view your Netscape browser cache offline. You can even import MSIE caches. $30 to keep from www.mwso.com/.

CapTime 1.06 shows the time in the MSIE title bar. Also allows you to change the name displayed in the title bar. Free from members.nbci.com/imkobi/progs/.

Catch the Web 1.08 lets Web surfers capture and store any Web page for offline viewing and discussion. You can also annotate and organize the captured pages' content. $40 to keep from www.catchtheweb.com/. Note: this is now a Web-only utility.

Cello 1.01a is a useful browser for older systems running 386 or faster chips. It hasn't been updated since 1994, so don't expect too much. Free from www.law.cornell.edu/cello/cellotop.html.

Champion Launcher 1.0 is a utility that helps you narrow down your site choices through a Q&A wizard. Trim your search time by visiting users.skynet.be/bs661306/cl/.

ChangeDetection.com isn't a program, it's a Web site that lets you select any page on the Web to monitor. When the page changes, the site e-mails you with a notification. See how it works at www.changedetection.com/monitor.html.

CheckIP 2.01 monitors any five IPs through the standard ICMP ping. Free from www.digital-services.net/software/checkip/.

Clarify Button is an Internet Explorer toolbar button implementing a Clarify command. The Clarify command renders hard-to-read web pages more visually accessible. ClarifyButton requires Internet Explorer version 5.0 or higher. Free from www.cheztabor.com/ClarifyButton/.

CleanCache 2.23 takes care of IE's cache, the INDEX.DAT file, and a plethora of Windows temp files. If you're running Mozilla Firefox, Opera, or Windows XP, you might prefer CleanMOCache instead. Both are free from www.buttuglysoftware.com/.

CleanUp! 3.0 deletes the temporary files that are created while you're surfing the Web (including cache, cookies, and history), clears out temporary folders, and totals deleted files to prevent retrieval of their contents with lower- level disk tools. Free from cleanup.stevengould.org/.

ClickGarden Professional 1.3 costs $50, but it adds a number of options to MSIE that speed and enhance browsing. Find out the details from www.clickgarden.com/.

Clicksearch 1.0 is a search accelerator that works with your browser's integrated toolbar. Free from www.clicksearch.com/ (the home site is apparently gone, but you can get it from www.32bit.com/software/listings/Internet/Search/_180P/26987/ among other sources.

Clip Strip 1.5.2 allows you to convert the contents of the Windows clipboard into plain text. All formatting and any images or other graphical data is stripped away. Helpful when you want to copy information from a Web site and paste it into an e-mail message or into a word processing file or HTML document. $5 to keep from www.iscreations.com/.

CloseIEX 2.6.05 closes all instances of open MSIE windows. Good way to handle pop-ups and other browser annoyances without the hassle of configuring a pop-up manager. Free from www.geocities.com/closeiex/ unless you use it commercially, then you have to pay. XP users, you have a similar utility built in to your browser.

CNET Bandwidth Meter is a free, Web-based test of your Internet connection's bandwidth speed. Free from webservices.cnet.com/bandwidth/.

Cogitum Co-Citer 1.04 snags text, and only text, from Web pages, and files/organizes it as you like. Free from cogitum.com/co-tracker-text/more.htm.

Columbine Bookmark Merge 3.3 is a free bookmark-merging utility that lets you merge bookmarked sites from MSIE, Netscape, Opera, and Mosaic. Easy to use and very useful for those of us with multiple browsers, although it takes a long time to sort through extremely large bookmark files. This utility is "MemorialWare," which means that users are asked to donate to a designated charity. Get the info from home.earthlink.net/~garycramblitt/.

Compass 2.73 is a $25 bookmark management utility from www.softgauge.com/compass/ that works well with large bookmark files, sorts by subfolders, and boasts other relatively sophisticated functions.

Complete Internet Cleanup 3.2.3 erases your Internet tracks, including typed URLs, user names and passwords as well as the Windows search and run history. It also helps your PC run faster by emptying the Windows temp directory, recycle bin and recent documents folder. $39 for the heavy-duty version, but you might try the free "lite" version first, both from www.pcmesh.com/.

Complete RSS is a Web site that can find and hook you up to thousands of RSS feeds throughout the Internet. Free to use at www.completerss.com/.

Convert & Open 1.0 automatically repairs bad links such as h**p, f*p, htp:site.com, and so forth, in Internet Explorer. Free from camtech2000.net/Pages/Useful.html.

Cookie Cop Plus is a free cookie management utility from ZDNet at www.zdnet.com/pcmag/stories/solutions/0,8224,2433798,00.html. The program requires the COMCTL32.DLL from Microsoft, version 4.70 or later.

Cookie Cruncher 2.11 is a no-frills cookie management utility that lets you view, edit, and delete cookies, and works with both Netscape and MSIE. Free from www.rbaworld.com/Programs/CookieCruncher/index.shtml.

Cookie Crusher 3.0.4.35, a $15 utility from www.thelimitsoft.com/, keeps cookies under control and keeps stats on them as well.

Cookie Cutter PC 2.61 is a simpler cookie manager than some others, but if all you want to do is corral them for later deletion, it works fine. Download it from www.ayecor.com/.

Cookie Eater MiLK 2.0 chows those cookies. Free from www.dittotech.com/Products/CookieEater/.

Cookie Jar 1.0 lets you keep the cookies you want and delete the cookies you don't want. Simple to use, and free from www.jasons-toolbox.com/cookiejar.asp.

Cookie Monster II lets you remove cookies from your hard drive. Free for 15 days, after which you must send the author at least two actual cookies in order to continue using it. Find out more at www.angrytoddlersoftware.com/freeware.html.

Cookie Muncher 2 is a free cookie management utility from www.bigwig.net/softwaredesign that works with both MSIE and Netscape.

Cookie Pal 1.7b, $15 from www.kburra.com/cpal.html, keeps tabs on where Internet cookies come from, scrubs them from your cache, and alerts you when sites send you new ones. Highly recommended.

Cookie Server 1.03 costs twice as much as Cookie Pal, but is that much more sophisticated. $30 from www.newfangled.san-jose.ca.us/.

Cookie Terminator isn't there to sort them or play with them, it just massacres them individually or en masse. $15 from www.4developers.com/.

CookieCop and an addition to the original, CookieCop Plus, are freebies from www.pcmag.com/utilities/ that lets you manage Web cookies; with the addition, you can block access to entire sites (i.e. porn sites) or just the graphics (nice way to block ads).

CookieWall 1.01 is an IE-only utility that allows you to decide which cookies to admit and which to block. Free from www.analogx.com/.

Cool Find 1.03 is a powerful file search software, featuring search capabilities in LAN, ZIP, Drag"Drop, and with summary and result export features. $19 from www.nihuo.com/.

CoolSync Bookmarks is a Web site that lets you store your bookmarked URLs with them, under password protection to keep the riff raff out. Useful for accessing your needed sites when you're away from your desktop. Free from bookmarks.coolsync.com/index.asp.

Copernic Agent Basic 6.1 queries multiple search engines, newsgroups, and e-mail directories, and allows you to save, sort, and update the results. The Basic version is free, while the $30 Personal and $80 Professional versions allows you to search additional material (divided into categories like Business, Finance, News, Games, etc) along with several other capabilities. Visit www.copernic.com/ for more info.

CopyURL 2.3.0 is a simple little freebie that copies URLs and/or page titles to your Clipboard in text or HTML format. Nice little time-saver, available from www.moonsoftware.ee/.

Cover Your Tracks 3.0 kills cookies, clears your cache, and deletes URLs from Navigator's History field. $10 from www.ffsoftware.com/.

Crazy Browser 1.05 hooks in to MSIE, but provides a fast, configurable front end that features pop-up killing. Free from www.crazybrowser.com/.

CrystalPort 4.7.4 is another slick MSIE-based browser interface that features AppCapture, a multitasking tool that allows you to capture and use programs from within the browser. A free, ad-supported version is available, as is a $20 ad-free version, from www.crystalport.com/.

CubicEye 1.0 is a wild MSIE-based browser interface that gives you a rotatable, 3D "cube" display of Web pages. $20 from www.2ce.com/. Note: you need a lot of system resources to have this work properly. If you're not sure your computer is up to it, you might try the free "lite" version first.

CureInfo 0.41 displays system info in your Taskbar. Useful and unobtrusive, and free from www.hbg.lth.se/~pv98glu/.

Customize IE allows you to easily add, edit and delete additional buttons and menu items in Internet Explorer. Free from www.nirsoft.net/.

DailyRotation! 1.2 lets you launch Web pages from the system tray. Good for visiting sites that you visit on a regular basis without making you go through your Favorites. Free from carotids.com/dailyrotation/.

Data Grabber snags data from more than 300 public databases on the Internet. The program sits in your system tray waiting for you to initiate a search action on the Net. Free from www.wildcowpublishing.com/datagrab.html (as I write this, the site is down; if that doesn't change, snag the program from PCWorld's download site or another provider).

Dave's Quick Search 3.1.4 enables you to access every popular search engine from the convenience of your Windows taskbar. Free from notesbydave.com/toolbar/doc.htm.

DejaView 0.0001 uses Google's (formerly Deja) Usenet service to let you view, search, download, and save Usenet messages. Quite full-featured for a freebie. Find out more from www.michaelmoser.org/content_products.htm. Note: the site warns that since Google has bought out Deja, the program does not work properly. Apparently a fix is in the works.

Delindex 5.0 deletes your INDEX.DAT file, along with other "junk" files. The program is a .BAT file which needs to go in the root directory. You can view its notes from the Web site or open it with a text editor. Free from www.burzurq.com/forum/delindex.html.

Desktop Web Spider 1.0 helps you find all related webpages in correct order, spidering all the links and content of a particular site. Apparently not supported by its creator, Position Builder, any longer, but available from www.2000shareware.com/network-tools.html.

Dibs stands for Desktop Integrated Browsing System; it works to gather specified Web content behind the scenes without slowing your system down. Good for checking stock tickers, news sites, etc. etc. $20 from 209.237.154.5/solutions/index.html.

DirectSeek 2.1 uses intelligent agent technologies to simultaneously query over 100 search engines, web directories, online stores, discussion groups, news archives, online auctions and public databases, grouped in several Search Agents. Free from www.directseek.net/.

DL-Calc 1.1 calculates the estimated speed of a file download. Free from www.rwsoft.co.uk/dlcalc/dlcalc.htm.

DM Url Bookmarks 1.0 Beta is a handy utility for organizing website links that you want to keep for later reference. Create your own categories, add a custom description to each link, create a HTML page of your favorites, perform a WHOIS lookup on selected items and use the built in browser to take a quick look at selected sites. Free from www.developers-answers.net/dmprograms/.

DNS4Me 2.0.0.0 lets you associate a static domain name with a dynamic IP address, so it's easier for visitors to access the services you provide. Lets you take control of your Web site by running your own HTTP server. $10 from www.dns4me.com/.

DoDots work along with your Web browser to give you additional "sidebar" information about whatever you're surfing. As DoDots adds more partners (currently ZDNet's Tech News, MapBlast, and Merriam-Webster are some of the information providers), it will become more useful. Free from www.dodots.com/.

Dogpile Search Toolbar 1.08 is an IE add-on toolbar from the Dogpile metasearch engine which makes searching through the Internet easy. Includes Web results, Yellow Pages, White Pages, dictionary capabilities, and more. Free from www.dogpile.com/info.dogpl/tbar/.

Dominica 0.996 is an IE-based browser that works a lot like NeoPlanet. Lots of options that MSIE lacks. Free from www.netsoft.sk/.

Don't Panic 4.0 instantly hides all open applications, clears browser history, removes cookies, prevents browser pop-ups and more. $15 to keep from www.panicware.com/.

Down2Home 1.3 is a program that monitors your ADSL/Cablemodem/Dialup traffic and provides you with usefull statistics about the amount of data your PC has transferred. Use it to see what's happening on your Dial-up/DSL or Cable connected on your PC. Check if there is data transferred when you don't want it, or use it to keep control over your transfer volume. Free from jitserv.coolfreepage.com/.

Download Accelerator 5.3 speeds up your downloads by making multiple connections and breaking downloading files into smaller, more manageable chunks. Free from www.speedbit.com/ (the Premium version goes for $30).

Download Anywhere 1.50 is a fully featured download manager with lots of bells and whistles. Free from www.forty.com/.

Download Calculator is a freebie from Intel that calculates just how long a certain download will take, based on your connection speed. The tool is available as a download, or you can run it in your browser in a pop-up window. Even calculates your connection speed for accurate time estimations. Check it out at www.intel.com/home/tech-center/calculate_download/.

Download Druid 1.2 adds a mass download option to Internet Explorer. The program grabs all specified file types with direct links from the current page in a single click. $20 from www.xemico.com/druid/index.html.

Download-Speeder 1.16 is another download manager that speeds downloads and lets you pick up interrupted transmissions from the point of break, rather than forcing you to start over. Integrates with MSIE, Netscape, and Opera. $14 from www.download-speeder.com/.

DrTCP 0.21 is a tool which allows you to manually change your Internet settings, including broadband, within Windows. It is a GUI front-end to specific settings in the Registry which offers control over TCP Receive Window (RWin) settings, MTU settings for adapters and ICS, Windows Scaling, Time Stamping, Black Hole detection, Selective Acks, and more. Free from www.dslreports.com/front/drtcp.html.

DU Meter 3.02 build 76 is a utility that monitors and informs you about your Internet connection. $20 from www.dumeter.com/.

DUNTrack 2.2 is a powerful tracking utility that monitors and logs your Internet usage. Also keeps your ISP from booting you offline, syncs your PC's clock, and more. IE only. $20 from www.itaz.com/duntrack/index.htm.

DuoPage 1.0 is a tiny, free MSIE browser utility that lets you use the side pane on the left side of the display to surf the Web. In other words, you can surf two separate sites within a single browser window. Neato keeno! Check it out from www.linkgram.com/duopage.htm.

EarthNavigator 3.0 is an MSIE 5-only interactive 3D globe that lets you click on a desired location and get informative Web sites and e-mail listings. An ad-supported version is free; $18 buys you an ads-free version. Get the info from www.earthnavigator.com/default.htm.

EasySeeker 4.0 is a competitor of WebFerret, Copernic, and other Web search utilities. This one submits your search query to over 100 search engines, removes duplicates, indexes the results, and checks the links for functionality before passing them on to you. The "lite" version is free from www.bluesquirrel.com; the more powerful WebSeeker 3.4 will cost you $50.

eCleaner 1.0 covers your Internet browsing tracks, deleting cookies, History records, Temp documents, and more. Free from www.pccontrolanywhere.com/ecleaner/.

eCode iBar 1.0.0.10 is described as a "Swiss Army-knife" utility that gives your Web browser lots of capabilities it didn't have before, including quick access to search engines, stored form information, etc. Free from www.ecode.com.

EditURLs 1.07 lets you edit the contents of the URL Address Dropdown List and will even let you drop the contents to a master file that can be re-uploaded before opening Internet Explorer. Some people will see that this program is also a way to partially cover your Internet tracks, at least to the common user. Free from www.aandrc.com/editurls/.

Ellicit Internet Skinner 2.1 lets you put "skins" on your plain-vanilla copy of Internet Explorer. Don't know what a skin is, or why you'd want to dress up IE? Surf over to ellicit.org/software/ and give it a whirl; unfortunately, the home page doesn't have screen shots to give you a peek in advance.

EMCO Network Favorites 1.0 allows you to create a backup of Internet Explorer Favorites across your network. In addition, you can also copy Favorites to remote machines. Free from www.emco.is/.

Empty Temp Folders 2.8.3 does just this. Free from www.danish-shareware.dk/soft/emptemp/index.html.

EMS Free Surfer Mk II 2.1.026 is a pop-up stopper and cache cleaner that lets you control how many browser windows you have open and gives you control over windows that open without your toolbar or menu bar. Free from www.emsproject.com/FS.

EntryPoint 2.0 is a free desktop utility that brings news, weather, stocks, and other reports to your PC over the Internet while you work. It also offers an audio player and an e-mail/Web search facility. Its biggest drawbacks are that it eats system resources, and its busy toolbar shoves some of your desktop icons either downscreen or off the screen entirely. If this sounds like a trade-off you're willing to make, check it out at www.entrypoint.com.

Etcetera 2.0 is a plug-in for Microsoft Internet Explorer designed to enhance the functionality of common Web browsing tasks, such as searching the Web and controlling popup windows. Supports over 20 search engines, and uses hotkeys for quick access. Free from www.pkpsoft.com/etc/.

Evidence Eliminator 5.0 removes browser history, cache files, cookies, and application logs, along with emptying your Recycle Bin and pruning your Registry. Pricey at $150, but check it out at www.evidence-eliminator.com/ to see if it's worth the cash. Note: this is no longer shareware; you have to pay to download the program, but you do get a money-back guarantee.

Express Assist 2000 saves your MSIE Favorites in a compressed ZIP file, as well as your Address Book, mail rule, and e-mail from Outlook Express, and even your account preferences. Free from ajsystems.com/oexhome.html.

Fast Browser is a $20 add-on to MSIE that gives options to enhance speedy page loading, quick access to security options, and preset, configurable pages that load with a single click. The Pro version adds language translating capabilities. Find out more from www.fastbrowser.net/.

FastNet99 3.1 is a freebie that allows you to remove a small but annoying bottleneck to Web surfing, by using direct IP addresses instead of URLs and the subsequent DPS requests. The program adds IP addresses to your WINDOWS/HOSTS folder, and allows you to enter your own addresses as needed. Even if you don't know DNS from donuts, this program will speed your surfing. Check it out from members.exploit.it/gcriaco/.

FaveLock 1.0 keeps others from perusing, and visiting, the sites listed in your MSIE Favorites folder. Free from www.pcmag.com/utilities/.

FavesToGo 1.0 is a tiny PC Magazine freebie that converts your MSIE shortcuts and Favorites into a single HTML file, ready for copying to floppy or for e-mailing to yourself. You can also make the FavesToGo file your MSIE home page, which makes it easy to organize and surf through your bookmarked sites. Download it from www.pcmag.com/utilities.

FavOrg 1.2 is an MSIE add-on that makes the browser's use of custom icons for Favorites permanent (currently, they disappear every time you clean out the TIF folder), gives IE the ability to use "favicons," and checks your Favorites menu for dead links. Free from www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,6679,00.asp.

Favorites Annotator 1.0 lets you add annotations to your MSIE Favorites. $20 from www.favoritesannotator.com.

Favorites Home Page 2.3 is a simple utility that lets you convert your Favorites list into a "home page" for easy reference and use. Post the page on the Web or keep it on your own PC; either way, it's free from www.favoriteshomepage.com/ or www.geocities.com/favoriteshomepage/.

Favorites Management Master 2.02 is a useful browsing companion designed to help you organize and manage your Internet Explorer Favorites. You can check, modify, and organize your links, and also search them by keyword. A unique feature of this program is that it allows you to search within the actual Web sites of your Favorites, rather than just in the name and URL. So, in a way, Favorites Management Master can be used as a personal Web search engine that only returns results from your favorite Web sites. Free from www.service-1.org/.

Favorites Organizer 1.0 is a sophisticated Favorites/Bookmarks organizer for both MSIE and Netscape. Uses thumbnail images for easier browsing. Free from www.freewaredownloads.de/Multi_Media/Media-Organizer/.

FeedDemon 1.11 is a IE-similar RSS feed organizer that has over 180 RSS feeds presubscribed, with the ability to add more quickly. If you're a news or RSS junkie, this program can help you get organized and find the news you need. $30 from www.bradsoft.com/feeddemon/index.asp.

The FeedRoom is not a utility per se, but an Internet broadcaster, a network of news, entertainment, and corporate sites delivering streaming videos to Internet viewers. Watch news feeds covering entertainment, news, movies, technology, military, business, and more. If you use a feedreader (news feed reader) or offer RSSified content on a Web site, The FeedRoom provides free feeds using the standards RSS 0.91 format. Free to use at www.feedroom.com/.

Feedreader 2.3 is a free newsreader program from www.feedreader.com/.

FileBox Extender 1.61.01 adds two dialog-box buttons that show your Favorites and recent folders. The program also makes many static Windows dialog boxes resizable. $20 from www.hyperionics.com/.

Firefox 1.0 is Mozilla's newest cutting-edge browser. Fast surfing, tabbed browser pages, and a refreshing lack of security holes makes it a terrific alternative to Internet Explorer. Free from www.mozilla.org/, and find out more at my own Netscape/Mozilla page.

FirstStop WebSearch Deluxe Edition 3.6 uses the results from multiple Web search engines, then organizes and collates the results for your use. $25 from www.firststopwebsearch.com/.

FlashGet 0.95, formerly called JetCar, divides targeted download files into smaller chunks for faster downloading. Free from www.amazesoft.com/.

FlashSwitch 1.0 lets you disable Macromedia Flash from automatically running in your browser. Free from www.flashswitch.com/, though this is a demo that expires in six months, when an upgraded version will be available.

Flying Toolbars used to be known as FullScr; the program allows you to view Netscape in full screen display. $10 from www.inquare.com/ftb/.

Flyswat 2.0 is a free MSIE plugin that uses keywords of sites you're visiting to hunt down related information from other Web sites. Check it out at www.flyswat.com. Warning: Flyswat is a known spyware purveyor.

FormWhiz 1.1 is another PC Magazine (www.pcmag.com/download) freebie. This one takes down your name, address, e-mail, telephone number, etc., and automatically fills in Web forms for you. The source code is also available at www.pcmag.com/utilities.

Forte Free Agent 1.92 is a freebie for those who want to get involved in the world of Usenet/RSS newsgroups. Check it out from www.forteinc.com/, and if you really get hooked, consider getting the more muscular Forte Agent 1.92, which costs you $29.

FourTimes is an Internet Explorer add-on that lets you maneuver easily between up to four different windows -- e-mailing, shopping, surfing, dragging&dropping links, pretty much whatever strikes your fancy. The manufacturer wants to play coy, so you'll need to download this at www.pcworld.com/r/shw/1%2C2087%2C7160%2C00.html or another download site.

Free Flash 1.0 displays Macromedia Flash files from the Internet. Features 8 channels of content. Allows you to view files in the IE cache, displays thumbnail views of the files, skinnable, and more. Lots of fun with Flash, including games and e-cards, and free from www.cequal2000.com/freeflash/.

Free Surfer mk II controls pop-up windows and prevents home page changes. Free from www.free.surfer.tc/mail.

Freedom WebSecure is a $60/year service that keeps your surfing safe from prying eyes. Includes ad blockers, Java controls, and configurable surfing options. Find out more from www.freedom.net/.

Freedom Bar 6.0 is an Internet Explorer, Explorer, and Outlook Express toolbar skinning tool which is equipped with an Internet accelerator and configurable e-mail skin sharing. It features integration with Paint Shop Pro (version 7 or later) to modify and create skins, extra skins are available from the author's site, and more. Free from www.tas-independent-programming.com/freedom_bar.htm.

Fresh Download 5.5 is a quite fast download manager. Free from www.freshdevices.com/.

GalaxySpy for Windows 1.0 lets you selectively block ads, adult-content sites, market research, profiling, and tracking. By eliminating some of this obnoxious behavior, you can increase your surfing speed. The program detects and blocks adware, cookies, hackers, scripts, spyware, viruses, and worms. $35 from www.swreg.org/soft_shop/4017/shopscr2.shtml (homepage not available).

Gateway IP Monitor Light 1.1 is a tool that is useful for users with a DSL/cable Internet connection who would like to monitor their external IP address. XP/2K only. Free from www.netikus.net/software/gatewayipmonitor/index.html.

Genius 2 is a free download from www.indiesoft.com/ that combines access to trace, ping, and whois clients, Namespace lookups, Telnet clients, an address book, a notepad, a to-do list, and a password keeper.

Geoffrey's Search Center 4.3 gives you centralized, one-click access to more than three dozen search engines, letting you quickly and easily search the Internet. Free from geoffreygoldberg.com/.

GetFileSize 2.0 is an Internet Explorer add-on that allows you to find out the size of a file before downloading it. Free from www.unhsolutions.net/GFS/.

Getleft 1.1 is a Web site downloader that downloads complete web sites according to the settings provided by the user. It automatically changes all the absolute links to relative ones, so you can surf the downloaded pages (Web sites) on your local computer without the need to connect to the Internet, so that you can surf the site on your hard disk. Free from personal1.iddeo.es/andresgarci/getleft/english/index.html.

GhostSurf Pro 2.0 lets you surf anonymously and cover your tracks. It protects you from your ISP, as well as from sites you visit. The program blocks ads, automatically removes spyware, and monitors cookies. $40 to keep from www.tenebril.com/.

Ghostzilla 1.0 is an extension of Mozilla that camouflages your browsing to disguise it as boring work-oriented displays -- while you're busily surfing, the boss thinks you're working on a Word or any other app. Free from www.ghostzilla.com/.

GGSearch 3.7, formerly known as Google SearchTools, does as much or more than the Toolbar (below). Free from www.frysianfools.com/ggsearch/.

Giage WebSpace 1.1a is a powerful Web utility that uses its own browser to locate, select, reorganize, sort, and store Web pages and files. Free to try, $99 to keep, from www.giage.com/.

Gimme IP 4.50 shows you your IP address, and monitors your Internet connection, from your system tray. Also offers finger, ping, and nameserver lookup tools. $16 from www.idyle.com/.

Girafa 2.08 is a free IE plug-in that shows you a thumbnail view of a Web site before you visit it. Scope it out at www.girafa.com/.

GoBox 1.1.12 is a "mini-browser" that handles your simple surfing chores without requiring you to fire up IE. Free from gobox.net/.

GOgraph Toolbar 1.02 hunts down graphics over the Net through a IE-based toolbar. Free from en.toolbar.gograph.com/.

GooDelete History 1.0 is for those who use the Google Toolbar mentioned below. GooDelete controls what is deleted from the search history list. Requires the Google Toolbar and VB6 runtime files; free from www.pppindia.com/goodelete/.

Google Browser Buttons adds various Google-ish buttons to your browser's toolbar. Not recommended for IE 5.5, you guys should use the Toolbar below. Free from www.google.com/options/buttons.html.

Google Deskbar is another goodie from the Google labs. This one lets you access Google searches from any application; no need to open a browser window. Requires IE 5.5 or higher. Free from toolbar.google.com/deskbar/index.html. Mozilla and Netscape users, try the Googlebar for some of the fun features that IE has kept to itself, free from googlebar.mozdev.org/.

Google Toolbar is an MSIE plug-in that puts most of Google's features on a browser toolbar. I use this; it's very, very cool. Free from toolbar.google.com/. Note: some security vulnerabilities in earlier versions make it imperative that you upgrade to version 1.1.58 or later. Find out what version you're running by clicking on the Google logo and choosing "About Google Toolbar." Check out some of the other options while you're in this menu!

Go!Zilla Plus 4.11 no longer contains spyware, so it's safe to recommend. It's a very good download accelerator; $30 from www.gozilla.com/.

GrabIt 1.3.6 hunts up downloadable files from Usenet. Quite useful, since most search engines don't do Usenet justice. Free from www.shemes.com/grabit/.

Gravity 2.11, $30 (non-profit or educational use) from www.microplanet.com/, gives Web surfers easy access to Usenet newsgroups.

Grim's Ping 1.7.5 is a scanning tool; a program that pings many FTPs to find active FTPs (public folders) with anonymous access and upload/download permissions. Pub-scanners use this tool to do host lookups, scan ports, log and print scan results, check read and write permissions, and other configurable functions. Free from grimsping.cjb.net/.

gSearch 2.0 is a small search tool, which places a "G" icon on the desktop. Hover the mouse over the "G" to start searching the Internet using Google. Free from homepage.mac.com/av11d/gSearch/.

Guard-IE 3.2 shields your Internet Explorer browsing from prying eyes, helps defend against worms and Trojan horses, and keeps pop-up ads at bay. This package combines four programs: Pop-up Blocker, Web Evidence Remover, FLASH Ad Blocker, and Web Firewall. $35 from www.guardwall.com/en/index.asp.

Guidescope is a Web-based community service that uses pattern matching to block ads and selected cookies from loading while you surf. Free for personal use ($15 for businesses) from www.guidescope.com/home/.

Hide My Favorites 1.3 is a tool which hides selected URLs (IE Favorites) so that others (kids, spouse, boss, etc) can't see them. Free from oocobol0.tripod.com/hmf.html.

HijackThis 1.97.5 is a tool that lists all installed browser add-ons, buttons, and startup items and allows you to inspect them and optionally remove selected items. The program can create a backup of your original settings and also ignore selected items. Additional features include a simple list of all startup items, default start page, online updates and more. Free from www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/.

Hindsite 5.0 searches through the sites you've visited to find a search string -- i.e., if you can't remember a site you visited but you know it's about, say, Pop Rocks, you just have Hindsite search it down for you. Good for those of us who visit more places than we bookmark, and free from www.isysusa.com/products/hindsite.shtml.

History Book for IE5 is a simple tool for compiling your surfing history (or that of employees who seem to spend too much time on the skin sites, ahem). Free from www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~mozart/soft/hist2html.html.

History Collector 1.41 is an Internet Explorer plug-in that allows you to save a copy of every Web page you visit as a complete and standalone file. If you ever need to reference something from your history, you'll have the original version, even if the online page has changed since. 2K/XP only. Free from www.hibrosoft.com/.

HistoryKill 2001.3.8 erases virtually all trace of your surfing history from your machine -- cookies, temp files, cached files, even the hard-to-handle INDEX.DAT file. $30 from www.swanksoft.com/historykill/index.html.

HotJava 3.0 is a totally Java-based browser. Still some glitches and rough spots, but overall a fine browser. Free from java.sun.com/products/hotjava/index.html.

Hotbar is a Web-based utility that adds colorful backgrounds to Internet Explorer's toolbar. Later additions incorporate skins for the entire browser, not just the toolbar, and offer Netscape skins as well. Free from www.hotbar.com/.

HoverNews 2.01 is a tiny and unobtrusive program that scrolls the latest headlines from any news site you choose. It operates from the System Tray. Free from software.deviantart.com/details.php?id=282.

HTML To Text 2.0 converts HTML-coded Web pages into readable, usable text. $10 from www.microblast.com/html2text.htm.

HTTP-Timer v1.0 informs you when selected Web sites are updated. Free from w1.704.telia.com/~u70402559/httptimer.htm.

HTTP File Grabber 1.1 "grabs" just about any file you may find on the Web and downloads it for your use. Free from www.aaronbock.net/.

HTTrack Website Copier 3.05 copies Web sites for offline perusal. Free from www.httrack.com/.

HyperTerminal PE 6.3 emulates and adds features to the usual Windows HyperTerminal utility. Free from www.hilgraeve.com/htpe/index.html

iAnnotate-it 2.0 offers annotation tools for your IE browser. $20 from www.insightdev.com/.

i-Bench is a free browser-testing and Web-testing utility from ZDNet, available at www.i-bench.com/. It tests how well your browser handles HTML, Java, Flash and Shockwave animations, VRML, audio and video, 3-D modeling and imaging, and XML. It even tests for HTML 3.2 and 4.0 compliancy.

iAmaze Presenter uses current versions of MSIE or Navigator to help you create web-based presentations. It won't replace PowerPoint any time soon, but if you want to make no-fuss Web-based presentations of auction items, photo galleries, or a traditional online slide show, iAmaze might put enough steam in your shorts to make it worth your time. Drawbacks include the lack of an Undo function, and the inability to drag elements around by the mouse. iAmaze plans on building a full application suite by adding a word processor and a spreadsheet. Free from www.iamaze.com/.

ICRAfilter 1.0.9 allows you to set up filtering rules related to nudity, language, violence, and chat. There is a set of rules titled "Other" to deal with alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and gambling. In the Services section, you can block and allow specific services like newsgroups, e-mail, and IRC. Warning: like most filtering programs, this one can block the good programs along with the objectionable ones. Free from www.icra.org/_en/filter/.

IE Booster 1.4 is a more powerful variation of the old IE Web Accessories, with some very nice new tools, and is also fully compatible with IE 6. Get lots of new right-menu options. Free from www.iebooster.com/products/ieb/index.html.

IE Browser Washer 1.08 protects your online and offline privacy and manages your browser (IE and MSN Explorer) cookies, cache, history, location address list, autocomplete, index.dat, windows run history, search history, recent documents history, Temp folder, Download Program Files, and more. $12 from www.gohotsoft.com/.

IE New Window Maximizer 2.3.0.2 automatically maximizes every new Internet Explorer window that you open. It includes a function for hiding or closing all IE windows with a user-defined hot key; you can also specify a particular IE window that will not be hidden or closed when you use the hot key. Free from www.jiisoft.com/.

IE Privacy Keeper 2.3 manages cookies, IE History files, AutoComplete entries, certain Registry keys, and more. Free from www.unhsolutions.net/IEPK/index.shtml.

IE Quickstart 3.0.0 opens any number of preselected Web sites at once in separate browser windows. Good for those of us who visit the same sites regularly. Free from www.iequickstart.com/.

IE Restrictions 1.0 allows you to disable certain modifications to Internet Explorer. Many of them are commonly abused by invasive Web sites that, for example, change your home page settings, modify the toolbar, open pages in full-screen mode, and more. Others are more of an administrative nature, allowing you to disable the registry editor, page source viewing, and other settings. Free from camtech2000.com/.

IE Speakster 1.0 gives you a little blue character that reads Web page content aloud. Free from www.webtalkster.com/.

IE Toolbar Manager 1.1 helps you effectively manage some aspects of Internet Explorer's appearance and behavior. $15 from www.one.com.ua/ietool/.

IE Zoomer is a modification for MSIE's "Set as Wallpaper" option. With this free utility from www.pcmag.com/downloads/, you can expand on MSIE's one-note "save image as centered wallpaper" capability. You can stretch, rotate, and otherwise modify an image before saving it as wallpaper, and you can center it or tile it. Zoomer also allows you to enlarge small Web images for a better look. You'll need MSIE 4 or later and DirectX Media 6 or higher to run this program. See the article, and its source code, at www.pcmag.com/utilities/.

IEClean 5.0 is a sophisticated cookie (and Java, ActiveX, news, cache, and mail) manager for Internet Explorer. $40 from www.nsclean.com/.

IECookiesView 1.00 lets you view and manage cookies. It tells you which are secure and which are unsecure, which cookies are affiliated with what Web site, and more. Free from www.nirsoft.net/.

IECount 2.0 limits the number of open browser windows you can have at one time. Why do you want this? Besides preventing an onslaught of pop-ups, it keeps your system from overloading itself with too many open windows that can cause MSIE to seize up. Version 2 costs $10, while 1.0 is free. Both can be found at f-group.mastak.com/Iecount.html.

IEMate 6.0.3 is an application that will allow you to customize Internet Explorer without having to directly access the Windows Registry. Free from www.devicode.com/freeware/iemate.htm.

IEradicator 2001 removes all traces of MSIE from your system, starting with IE 3. Works on all flavors of Win 9x, including ME, but not with NT systems, including 2K, nor does it work with Win XP. Free from www.98lite.net/ieradicator.html.

IESpeed 1.0 speeds up your browsing by tweaking Internet Explorer 5.0.s settings. For example, you can download multiple multimedia files (such as AVI, MP3, or JPEG files) simultaneously while you surf. It works well with all Internet connections, including ISDN, cable, DSL, and T1. Requires the VB Runtime files. Free from 24.78.169.247/zweb/iespeed.htm.

IESpell 2.0.1 spell checks text input boxes on a page; particularly handy for heavy Web mail and/or forum users. Free for personal use from www.iespell.com/.

IEtweak 1.04 lets you change the toolbar background, the upper-right-corner animation, and the title bar text in Microsoft Internet Explorer. Less spectacular, but more useful, tweaks include the ability to select a new default browser engine and a new default download folder. If you're using IE 6, you can cut your transfer times by changing the number of simultaneously downloaded files from the same server. Free from free.of.pl/i/ietweak/ieeng.html.

iFind Graphics 1.5 is a Web utility that searches several search engines to locate specified graphics and images. Free from www.ifindgraphics.com/.

iFocus 1.2 lets you focus in on the parts of a Web site that interest you, and skip over the rest. Free from www.rangeva.com/.

iHarvest is a Web utility similar to Giage that selects, organizes, sorts, and stores Web pages and files. Its browser is better than Giage's WebSpace, and the updated version has significantly improved organizational capabilities. Free from www.iharvest.com/. Note: this is now a Web-only utility.

Ikonboard is a customizable message board system for the Internet. Free from www.ikonboard.com/.

iMarkup is an MSIE-only tool that lets you "mark up," or annotate, selected Web pages which appear when you revisit the page. $40 from www.imarkup.com/.

Index.dat Suite lets you view, and then delete, the INDEX.DAT file on your computer. Also cleans cookies, temp files, and more. Free from support.it-mate.co.uk/?mode=Products&p=index.datsuite.

Index.dat Viewer 1.0 allows you to view the INDEX.DAT file on your computer where Windows secretly stores information about your browsing habits. It displays Temporary Internet Files and Internet Cookies, both with the time/date they were created. Free from www.pcmesh.com/.

Indie Toolbar 2.5 gives you a batch of icons linking to your favorite Web sites that stand alone and work with the user's default browser. Works with most browsers. The default bar includes Google, eBay, Weather, CNN, and Smartpages, among others. Change any icon and replace it with one of 300 icons already in the program connecting to sites such as commerce, entertainment, international, nonprofits, and reference. Free from www.alexwilson.com/software.php.

InfoFerret, another of the well-regarded Ferret family of shareware, searches Web-based databases for specific information. No longer supported by FerretSoft, but still available on many shareware sites.

InfoGate/USA Today Newstracker is a news utility that provides you with a constantly updated, configurable headline feed. Since it joined forces with USA Today, it is no longer a free service, but costs $40/year or $5/month. You do get a free 7-day trial, though. Find out more at www.infogate.com/.

InForm v1.00 Beta lets you share your Favorites with other surfers, and lets you browse theirs as well. Free from www.geocities.com/makslane/.

InfoTip Extension works with MSIE 4.x to provide your folders and shortcuts with pop-up boxes that give selected information such as Creation Time, Last Write Time, File Header, etc. when you hold the cursor over an item. Free from www.na.rim.or.jp/~norio/index-e.shtml.

InfraNET 2000 1.2 is a Web search utility similar to Copernic or WebFerret that also allows you to launch multiple sites at the same time. $35 from www.infranet.w.pl/.

InstantFavorites 3.0 lets you surf the Web with a fully searchable, Explorer-style view of your Favorites folder. $20 from www.nwlink.com/~sergiva/ifav/.

IntelliDial-UP 2.51 resets three critical Registry keys for better dial-up connections. For 56K or LAN users. Free from www.skylam.com/.

IntelliSeek BullsEye 2 is a combination metasearch tool and shopping bot, free from www.intelliseek.com/. It doesn't work any better than utilities like Copernic and WebFerret, and it definitely doesn't do the same quality of job as MySimon, but it does a pretty solid job, especially in metasearching, and it's organized for easy and intuitive use.

IntelliTamper 2.03 lets you browse through a Web site's folders and files without actually downloading anything. Good for helping you find what you want and avoiding nuisances like pop-up ads, useless links, etc. Free from www.chez.com/cavemania/intellitamper/.

InterMute 1.5.0 allows you to block animations, ad banners, cookies, Java windows, background music, and/or ad pop-ups that make surfing so much of an annoyance. $20 to keep from www.adsubtract.com/.

Internet Cleaner 2.01 helps you remove all traces of your online and offline activity, including the list of recently visited sites, browser cache and cookies (IE, Opera and Netscape Navigator are supported), start menu history, lists of recent documents in various applications (MS Office, Paint, Media Player, WordPad, Acrobat Reader, ACDSee and more) and free up hard drive space by erasing the scandisk file fragments and emptying the Recycle Bin. $30 from www.softneoweb.com/icleaner/index.htm.

Internet Connection Counter 5.2-Eng various statistics about your Internet dial-up and GPRS connections. $19 from www.counterslab.com/.

Internet Download Accelerator 1.3 claims to be able to increase download speeds by up to 500 percent. Uses intellectual multisection downloads to provide the best performance for all connection types. $25 from www.westbyte.com/ida/index.phtml.

Internet Download Manager 3.14 is a download manager and accelerator that supports proxy servers, firewalls, handles file redirects, cookies, directories with authorization and a large number of directory listing formats. $25 from www.internetdownloadmanager.com/.

Internet Explorer Password 1.0 recovers passwords to Web sites as well as allows you to add, edit, and delete passwords stored in Content Advisor. Seems to work with 2K/XP only. $19 from www.thegrideon.com/internetpass.html.

Internet Explorer Password Recovery Key 2.90 is a useful goodie for those times when you accidentally (or MSIE "accidentally") blocks you from accessing certain Web sites through Content Advisor. This happens most when parents use passwords to block their kids from accessing certain sites, then forget the passwords and find themselves locked out of sites they want to visit after the kiddies are in bed, but users of older versions of MSIE may find that a bug in the code does the same thing without their clicking a single button. This free demo version ($45 to keep) can unlock the Net for you again. Take a look at www.lostpassword.com/ie.htm.

Internet Explorer Personalizer 3.0 lets you personalize MSIE's window title, logos, search buttons, and server identification. Free from www.snapfiles.com/get/iepers.html (the home page seems to be gone).

Internet Explorer Text Archiver 4.0 lets you save text from a Web site into a text file with a single click. Requires the Windows Scripting Host to be enabled. Free from www.pcnineoneone.com/tweaks/scripts9.html.

Internet Graphics Finder 2.0 lets you find, extract, view, and save images from across the Web. Use keywords to hunt down the graphics you want. Registering the program ($15) allows you to print your gleanings as well. Find it at www.skibbysoft.com/.

Internet Junkbuster 2.0.2-6 blocks unwanted banner ads and cookies. It works as a proxy that stands between your browser and the Internet, checking HTTP requests against a list of files you want to block. When it detects an ad you don't want, it blocks the ad. Can be used with all common browsers and runs under Windows and Unix. Free from internet.junkbuster.com/.

Internet Phone Release 5 supports both PC-to-PC and PC-to-phone transmissions, and offers a global directory called Community Browser that helps users locate and contact one another by name or special interests. $50 from www.vocaltec.com/.

Internet Sweeper 4.0 works with Windows 95 through XP and Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera and AOL to stop pop-ups and clean up your browser history. Internet Sweeper closes JavaScript pop-up windows, and lets you erase your cache, history file, cookies, addresses, forms, passwords, recent documents, saved searches, and temporary files. $30 from www.ladybugsoft.com/.

Internet Tech Support Diagnostics 1.2 is a freebie from www.greenpotatochip.click2site.com/ that checks your Internet connections, modem speeds, and browser settings. After its diagnosis, it gives you a helpful report which may include suggested patches or downloads, along with links to the download sites. Not bad for free.

Internet Turbo 5.3 speeds your Internet connection by changing some Windows settings. $19 from www.clasys.com/.

Internet Watcher 2000 1.1 is another ad-prevention utility for your browser. $50 to keep from www.internetwatcher.com/.

InternetMETER 2.0b is a freebie from Croatia (hence the shaky English) that gives you detailed information about your Internet connection. Need to know how much you're paying per minute to go online? How many bytes on average you're sending and receiving? If you don't care, then don't worry with this program, but if you do, check it out at redrival.com/smaster/im.htm.

InterQuick Pro 2.1.1 is yet another ad-blocking utility designed to keep your Web surfing ad-free., this one with added features such as optimized downloading, content filtering, etc. $40 from www.deerfield.com/ (a "lite" version is free and works relatively well).

iOpus File and Web Page Downloader 3.0 lets you automate, schedule and batch Web page downloads with this command-line utility. Integrates well with batch files, Windows scripts, Visual Basic or the Windows task scheduler. Free from www.iopus.com/downloader.htm.

iOpus Internet Macros 1.0.704 Beta records your surfing for later playback and perusal -- especially useful for Webmasters who have to visit the same sites day after day. Free from www.iopus.com/iim.htm.

IPing isn't a "ping" utility, it's a free notification service that reminds you when to wake up, refill a prescription, keep up with a delivered package, pay a bill, etc. If you don't mind an ad with each reminder, this utility might be what you need to keep ahead of things. Look it over at www.iping.com/.

IPResolve is a free program from www.zone17.com/~software/ipresolve.php#downloads that both gives you the name associated with an IP address and determine the IP address from a site's name.

iProtectYou 3.01 is an internet filtering/parental control package that provides you with control over Internet usage. You can block e-mails, chat sessions and instant messages that contain inappropriate words, stop annoying ads, and/or restrict Internet time to a predetermined schedule. You have control over which web sites can be accessed and which programs can have Internet access. Free from www.softforyou.com/.

IPSwitcher Basic kets you change your TCP/IP settings without rebooting; applicable to all networking environments and includes multi-Network Interface Card support. $20 from www.ipswitcher.com/index.htm.

IPWatcher 1.84 displays your IP address and host name. You can also store IP numbers for quick reference. Free from welcome.to/lowdimension.

iRider 2.21 allows you to open multiple browser windows without overtaxing your system. Highly recommended, and nicely priced at $29. Find out more at www.irider.com/.

iSpeed 2.80 cranks up your surfing speed by changing the values of a few selected Registry entries. Claims to increase downloading speeds by up to 60%, and provides a benchmarking tool for you to compare "before" and "after" speeds. $11 from www.hms.com/.

ISYS Hindsite 5 is a free surfing utility that tracks and stores your surfing history, allowing you to backtrack and find a forgotten Web site. Free from www.isysusa.com/products/hindsite.htm.

iTrix 3.0.14 is an Internet Explorer-based Web browser that can manage up to 64 Web sites in a grid while containing basic browser functionality. Free from www.pearlcomm.com/itrix/.

iUpload is a web service that lets you upload .GIF, .JPG, .PNG, .BMP, and .ZIP files to their servers for storage and Web viewing. The site is coy about its pricing, but the demo is free to try from www.iupload.net/.

Jackhammer 2.2 is a $19 utility from www.sausagetools.com/products/index.html that automatically keeps trying to access Web and FTP sites that come up as "busy." Note: Jackhammer no longer appears on the revamped Sausage site. You may need to look for this on the shareware sites.

K-Meleon is a public beta version of a lightweight, fast browser based on the Mozilla rendering engine. It's an open-source product, so presumably it will always be free and frequently updated by wonks and gurus from around the globe. The interface is designed to look and work similarly to MSIE's, and no real problems have cropped up in early testing. If you don't mind trying out a beta product, surf over to www.kmeleon.org/ and have a look.

KatieSoft Scroll 3.1 lets you open up as many as 4 Web sites, each with its own browser controls, in a single window. $40 to keep it. Get it from www.katiesoft.com/. Warning: this program's propensity for opening multiple windows and storing "snapshots" of pages can cause frequent system crashes.

Kaufman Pravda 1.20 is a nice, no-frills newsreader with a graphical, Windows-friendly interface. Free from www.kaufmansoft.com/.

KeeBoo 2.3 is a free electronic conversion program that binds Web pages, bitmap images, and other documents together into "electronic books" that can be viewed with Web browsers. Find out more from www.keeboo.com/enu/index.asp.

Keep It Alive keeps your ISP from bumping you offline due to their time-out setting. Even compatible with AOL, who seems to bump you every 30 seconds or so. Free from www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Garage/7334/Kpalive.html.

Keep Me Connected 1.2 is another utility that keeps you connected to your ISP without being bumped off. Free (I think) from www.fireworksoftware.com/resources/keepmeconnected/v12.html.

Kenjin purports to bring "smart searching" to your browser without having to go through a search engine. Kenjin, offered in "standard" and "personal" versions, is a plug-in that searches the Web for information related to keywords that you identify. The makers claim that it won't just find instances of words, but works within the context of the query -- for example, the keyword "breast cancer" shouldn't bring back yea zillion porn sites. The Zen masters who designed this site make it hard to tell, but it looks like it's a MSIE-only goodie. Free from www.kenjin.com.

Ki-Washer 1.0.0 is a small Internet and PC cleaning utility that erases traces of your Internet browsing and PC activity. Clears the document history, IE cookies, IE cache, auto-complete data, Recycle Bin, and more, as well as displaying a list of cookies that exist on your computer; you can choose to exclude selected ones from ever being erased by adding them to an Exclude list. The program automatically clears the INDEX.DAT file while cleaning temp files to erase all browsing tracks. Free from www.kalavath.co.uk/.

KillAd 0.11 is a small pop-up killer. I've used this; it tends to err on the side of caution, but is very effective. Free from www.iomagic.org/fsc/.

Kira 0.0.98 is an alternative text utility that handles cached passwords, checksum properties, disk space and volume info, display settings, error codes, ICMP stats, icon info and settings, IE cache hits and misses, a IE History viewer, IP stats, keyboard info and settings, memory status, monitor info, performance monitor, and more. Free from www.crosswinds.net/~thelung/.

Klipfolio 1.1 is a free newsreader program from www.serence.com/site.php?page=prod_klipfolio.

Kontiki 1.02 isn't a download accelerator and manager per se, but it performs that task better than most of the other freeware offerings out there. Free from www.kontiki.com/. Warning: Kontiki includes a peer-to-peer distribution kernel for its own network, but you are allowed to opt out during installation. Despite their protestations, what they're bundling is definitely spyware. GameSpot's Download Express feature is Kontiki-driven, and includes the spyware code.

JAP is an ineptly acronymed privacy service that can render your surfing completely anonymous. Free, but still in beta, so be careful. Find out more from anon.inf.tudresden.de/index_en.html.

JavaTester is a Web-based utility that tests for four things: if your browser is Java-enabled, the version of Java that the browser is using, installing and upgrading Java, and configuring the Java options for the browser. Free to use at www.javatester.org/.

Lexibot is a utility that can metasearch hundreds of online databases; with this program, you can identify, retrieve, qualify, classify, and organize documents that meet your spects. Free for a 30-day trial from www.lexibot.com/.

Lightning Download 1.1.1 is a download manager that lives up to its name. Very fast, and $20 from www.lightningdownload.com/.

LineTest is a free utility that lets you monitor your phone line's ability to carry data, and possibly give you an explanation for those slow downloads. Find out more from www.3com.com/56k/need4_56k/linetest.html.

Link Manager 1.0 uses an Explorer-like interface to manage your Favorites links. $15 from www.one.com.ua/lm/.

LinkMan 6.5 is a well-regarded management utility for your Favorites folder. It's unobtrusive, allows all sorts of sorts, finds, commenting, dead-link checking, and so forth. Works with MSIE, Netscape Navigator, and Opera. $29 from www.outertech.com/.

LinkPilot is a free bookmarking utility that works with your browser to create "imagelinks" to your favorite sites, stores them in an Explorer-like format, and can export links to e-mail clients. Check it out at www.linkgram.com/.

LinkStash 1.5.0.20 is a Windows bookmarks/favorites manager which works for all later versions of Internet Explorer, Netscape, Mozilla, Opera and NetCaptor. $20 from www.xrayz.co.uk/.

LinkSweeper 1.2 is a free bookmark utility that checks your Navigator and MSIE bookmarks for viability (dead or alive?) and sorts them in the process. Unfortunately, it loses the neat little divider bars that split up various groups of Netscape bookmarks. If that doesn't bother you, check it out at www.lss.com.au/lss/windows/ls/linksweeper.htm.

LiveWire! Broadcast 3.1 hunts down real-time audio and video stations on the Internet. The 15-day trial is free, but keeping it will cost you $29. Find out more from www.eastbaytechnologies.com/.

Lockergnome's RSS Resource is an online resource for all things RSS. Free to use at rss.lockergnome.com/.

Lockjar 2.0 gives total control over Internet browser cookies (obtained through IE). Free from www.iron-fe-works.com/home.html.

Look@LAN Network Monitor 2.50 is an advanced network monitor that automatically detects and analyzes your network nodes, including your operating system. The program can monitor the nodes and alert you of any changes (new nodes, offline nodes, etc.). Free from www.lookatlan.com/.

One of the first, and best, cookie controllers out there is Luckman's Anonymous Cookie for Internet Privacy. It's free for the download from any of the major freeware/shareware download sites or from www.cookiecentral.com/dsclm.htm; unfortunately, Luckman Interactive does not currently have a Web site up.

Lynx 2.8.3 is a free text-only browser. No graphics, but Lynx is very fast and has a small footprint. Versions for Windows, DOS, Un*x, and OS/2 systems are available from lynx.browser.org/. Version 2.8.5 is in development.

Macromedia Flash 7.0.19.0 is a very cool, free plug-in for your browser. Lots and lots of sites use Flash presentations nowadays; just go get it. Make sure you have the latest version, as the earlier versions have security flaws. Find out more at www.macromedia.com/. If you're using a relatively new browser, you most likely have the Flash player installed, but perhaps not the most recent version. It's easy to upgrade.

Macromedia Shockwave. Just take my word for it and download this free browser plug-in from www.macromedia.com. You'll see the difference quickly enough. Note: You may already have it as part of your browser. Check out the sites for Comedy Central, CNNfn, Macromedia's ShockRave, Microsoft Encarta, and Spinner.com to see Shockwave in action.

Magic NetTrace 1.0 combines ping, WHOIS and trace route functions into one easy-to-use utility. With this tool you can identify the source of connectivity problems, track down spammers, find out the geographic location of your ICQ buddy, troubleshoot e-mail problems and more. $20 from www.tialsoft.com/mnettrace/.

MagiTime 4.0 is a user-friendly connection tracking utility that monitors online time, expenses, and data transfer. MagiTime usually detects all types of dial-up connections, specifically PPP and SLIP. It is also able to work on any type of network based on cable, NIC, satellite, Loopback, and Fiber Optics technologies tracking Internet online status and data transfer activities. It creates bandwidth graph refreshes after every second. There are more useful utilities like Timer, Multiple Alarm, Splash Screen, Time Synchronizer, Autostart programs, locking, etc., that give you an integrated environment. You can provide different customizable conditions to keep account of your online expense. Free from www.geocities.com/magistone/.

Mail This Page! 1.2.0 allows you to send any Web page via e-mail, by clicking on a new button in the IE toolbar, or entering the URL into the program interface. Free from www.chilkatsoft.com/.

MantaDB Utilities 02.01 is an IE plugin that lets you, among other things, save info on viewed pages, design your own page, strip off a page's external frames, switch to black-on-white text display, and more. Free from www.mantadb.com/.

Marker 1.00 is a free browser utility from 10-30am.ic.ru/marker that lets you "flag" portions of Web pages, as well as "notate" Web pages. Lots of functions.

Maxthon 1.3.1 (formerly MyIE2) is a free, IE-based browser with plenty of additional features. Get it from www.maxthon.com/.

MediaSpyder 1.0b 212 hunts photos, clip art, and animation from the Web, with MP3 support coming soon. Quite full-featured for a freebie, but as it is billed as a beta version, you may want to keep your eye out for bugs and instabilities, just in case. Find out more at www.mediaspyder.com/.

Medusa 1.1 pores through the pages of a site looking for whatever downloadable files, graphics, or what have you that you specify. Free from www.candego.com/product.shtml.

MemoWeb 2.0 lets you download an entire Web site to your hard drive. $40 from www.memoweb.com/index.html.

MenuMarks is a freebie from users.erols.com/bdevane/ that transforms a plain-Jane Navigator bookmark file into a cascading menu, using DHTML and JavaScript controls. Nice for those who want to post their bookmarks as a Web page.

Merriam-Webster Toolbar is a free toolbar for MSIE that lets you grab definitions, synonyms, and more of any word or phrase you run into on the Web. If you need access to the Unabridged Dictionary (as opposed to the Collegiate Dictionary), you'll need to pony up either $5/month or $30/year. Find out more from www.m-w.com/.

METoolbar 1.1 combines 20 or so different browser and disk tools, including a spam blocker, ping utility, language translator, and more. Free from www.metaeureka.com/.

MIE55SpeedUp 1.0.1 addresses a problem sometimes found in MSIE 5.5, namely slow context menus. This program speeds up the process a few seconds by removing unused entries from the Registry. Free from www.bluestarsoftware.de/html/english/.

Mihov Picture Downloader 0.9 makes it easy to grab all the pics from a single Web page and download them in one gulp. Free from www.mihov.com/eng/pd.html

Mind-it 4.0 is a personalized Web-based assistant utility that tracks changes to selected Web sites. Nothing to download, just visit mindit.netmind.com/ for the info you need.

Modem Booster 2.3 optimizes your modem/Internet connection. Works with AOL, Compuserve 2000, and Windows DUN. $20 to keep from www.inklineglobal.com/.

Modem Doctor 2.0 diagnoses and treats modem problems. Aptly named, and highly recommended. $15 from www.modemdoctor.com/.

ModemMonitor Graph 3.5 tracks the various aspects of your Internet connection, and automatically launches the programs you desire when you launch your Internet connection (ICQ, for example). Free from www.geocities.com/ashoka_kumar_2000/akprog.htm.

MozBackup 1.3.2 lets you back up your Mozilla, Firefox, Thunderbird, and Netscape profiles. Free from mozbackup.jasnapaka.com/.

Mozilla 1.7.1 is the free, open-source browser that is supplanting the current Netscape and AOL browsers. It's skinnable, lets you turn off pop-up ads and animated GIFs, and includes an instant-messaging app, an e-mail client, Web-composer software, and cookie-management and antispam features. Free from www.mozilla.org/. (Keep up with Mozilla by checking my Netscape/Mozilla page.)

MTU-Speed Pro 4.10 gives you a friendly interface in which to adjust the data-flow between your computer and the Internet. By changing and testing the effects of different TCP/IP settings, you can optimize the Internet connection for your particular computer configuration. $10 from www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,5332,tk,hsx,00.asp (the home page is AWOL).

Muffin 0.9.2 is another ad-blocking browser utility. Free from muffin.doit.org/.

MURL is short for "My URLs" and is a handy, free little Web goodie from murl.com/ that makes it easy to collect favorite Web links on the fly, store them on a password-protected Web site, and access them whenever and from wherever you like. Good for those of us who have two or more PCs full of Web links, most of which are different from one machine to the next. This is a service that you sign up for, not a downloadable program.

Multi Tray Ping, a freebie from www.moxom-software.co.uk/, is a tray-based ping utility of particular use to LAN-based Net users. The light indicates the status of a remote computer: when it's on, the light is green, and when it is off, the light turns yellow (yellow indicates that a connection to a remote computer was previously made, but the computer is now not responding). Red only appears before a connection has been made.

MyExplorerBar 1.10 is a $7 Windows Explorer/MSIE add-on that adds lots of shortcuts, with plenty of customization capabilities and extra features neither variety of Explorer has itself. Find out more from www.pitrinec.com/meb_index.html.

MyPopupKiller 1.21 is a hands-on popup killer that displays a list of all open window titles and allows you to select the ones that should be considered popup windows and closed. Free from www.nirsoft.net/.

MyVitalAgent 8.0.1, formerly Net.Medic, is a browser add-on that helps monitor, isolate, diagnose, and even correct Net-based performance bottlenecks and problems. Free from www.myvitalagent.com/.

MyWay lets you set up a Web portal of your own without ads, and featuring Google as the search engine of choice. Nice. Free from www.myway.com/.

Nano is a Websurfing utility, still in beta as I write this, that works alongside whatever you're doing -- writing a document, surfing a Web site, inputting data into a database -- and offers you Net-related info related to whatever you're working on. You can access Nano's suggestions by simply right-clicking or using the ALT key. Free from www.nano.com/.

Nausicaa 2.1 is an IE-based Web browser interface that offers full control over pop-up windows, URL filtering, quick Web page saving, a built-in bookmark manager, a search bar that provides direct access to several search engines, and is fully compatible with all your Internet Explorer settings, Favorites, and plug-ins. Free from www.rhizome.int.st/ (if the site is unavailable as it is at the moment, try www.mywebattack.com/gnomeapp.php?id=105553.

Naviscope 8.69 is an all-in-one cookie manager, ad blocker, and browser accelerator that works with all three major browsers. Free (for the moment) from www.naviscope.com/.

NBP 517 stands for "News Bulk Poster," and lets you post messages to multiple newsgroups. $20 from www.angelfire.com/extreme2/ListSoft/.

NeoPlanet 5.1, free from www.neoplanet.com/, puts a slickly designed shell over your version of Internet Explorer and now with AOL. It comes complete with a well-designed configurable interface (reportedly greatly improved from earlier versions), over 600 customizable "skins" to change the look, e-mail, an instant message facility, an automatic link to Alexa (see above), a partnership with Lycos for content and communities, and in general makes surfing a little more fun.

NeoTrace Pro 3.2 lets you trace the path from your PC to the Web sites you visit -- useful for tracking spammers or finding out why a Web site isn't loading as it should. $30 from www.neoworx.com/, but a free version is also available.

Neptune v is a Netscape-compatible plug-in, which hosts Microsoft's Web browser control. It works when embedded in documents rendered by Netscape 3.0, 4.x and 6.x, Opera 4.0 - 5.x, and Internet Explorer 4.0 - 6.0 running on any Windows platform with Microsoft's underlying Web components integrated. Neptune can be thought of as gateway through which to launch Windows and Internet Explorer-specific Web applications from Mozilla, Opera, and Netscape browsers. Allows Internet Explorer-specific DHTML content and ActiveX control to deploy consistently right across a publisher's or organization's Windows client base, even in cases where Microsoft Internet Explorer is not the browser of choice. Free from www.meadroid.com/neptune/.

Net Accelerator 5.1 speeds up Web browsing, file downloading, e-mailing and online gaming. It tests Internet performance and tweaks the TCP/IP settings accordingly via a systematic fine-tuning process. $18 from www.rizalsoftware.com/.

Net Transport 1.51 speeds up downloads by breaking them into multi-threads with each being its own connection. This method takes full advantage of the available bandwidth. Free from lycos26486.l78.lycos.com.cn/.

Net-Visualize Favorites Organizer 1.1.0 provides "thumbnail" images of favorite Web sites for visually-based browsing. Free from www.netvisualize.com/.

NetCaptor 7.1 is an IE-only browser utility that allows you to open multiple separate sites on tabs within a single browser window. If this really trips your trigger, you might try browsers such as Opera or Mozilla, which do this on their own. Also controls pop-ups, JavaScript, ActiveX, session cookies, and cookie settings, as well as zone-based security assignments. $30 from www.netcaptor.com/.

NetFor2 2.0 enables two computers to share the same telephone line, cable or DSL connection without the need for a computer network or new hardware in your computers. Free from www.netfor2.com/copy2.html.

NetGuru 1.9b monitors your Internet connection, tracks your time online (good for those of us who pay by the hour for our Internet access), keeps connection logs, and more. $15 from www.global-rd.com/.

Neti 4.2.198 is, depending on the way you look at it, a way to share your Favorites with other folks, or a P2P-based online community of searchable info. Free from www.katarncorp.com/english/.

NetKnowledge Tools 2.1 lets you keep all of your Web research in one convenient digital filing cabinet. Instead of printing hard copies and scribbling notes when you're surfing, you can annotate and organize your research using NetKnowledge Tools. Capture Web sites for offline browsing, make notes directly on Web pages, and drag and drop info from Web sites into the filing cabinet. $70 from www.insightdev.com/index.htm.

Netlauncher 1.21 lets you automatically launch Internet software (i.e. e-mail clients or onboard search facilities such as WebFerret) when you launch your browser. Free from www.matrixsofthome.cjb.net/.

NetMeter 0.8.1.0 is a small, customizable network bandwidth monitoring program. It can automatically detect your potential connection speed and adjust the graph for it, or you can customize it with your own values. Free from readerror.gmxhome.de/.

Netonizer 1.1 is an older Web management utility that helps you organize and manage downloaded Web content. Not compatible with any browser, but instead uses its own version of MSIE. $25 from www.sit-intl.com.

NetPerSec 1.0 is a freebie from www.pcmag.com/utilities/ that tells you just how fast your Internet connection really is.

NetRadar 2.0.6 graphically maps your Internet connection. Not only pretty, but useful, especially for network users. Free from netradar.sourceforge.net/.

NetRun 1.0.9.0 automates the steps you perform when you go online. Enter the program you want to run when a network connection is present, and then when you go online, NetRun will open that list of programs. Works for both dial-up and Ethernet connections. Free from www.czarsoft.com/.

Netsanity Toolbar is a browser plugin that allows "push" content to be loaded into your PC from sites you select, including news headlines, weather forecasts, and search engine access. Free from www.netsanity.com. It requires MSIE to be loaded on your drive, but you don't have to restrict yourself to the one browser.

NetScan Tools 4.02, from www.nwpsw.com/, is a $25 compendium of Internet and browser tools rolled into one package.

NetScout 1.0 is a free Web search utility that uses the HTTP protocol to hunt down desired info. Find out more from www.netscout.scriptmania.com.

NetServerMon 1.3 lets you monitor Netware server utilization on one or more servers with one screen. Also lets you view and compare SET parameters and NLMs across different servers. $75 from www.simonsware.com/nsmdesc.shtml.

NetSonic 3.0 Internet Accelerator is a Web surfing accelerator that is purported to really work, unlike most of its competition. A free "lite" version is available from www.web3000.com/ and a "deluxe" version is available for $39. NetSonic recently won a "Best Freeware" award from PC World.

NetSpider 1.22 is a free utility from home.global.co.za/~antonia/netspider/ that allows you to see all the links on a selected page with description and type information, save file and page list for later browsing, drop files from other programs, and resume interrupted downloads.

NetSuperSonic 2.5 optimizes your internet connection in relation to your Windows Operating System. NetSuperSonic is designed to optimize connection-specific settings that can be restored to default with a single click. Doesn't require you to know what it's doing to be effective. $30 from www.netsupersonic.com/.

NetTimer 1.1 monitors a dial-up Internet connection and the time spent on it, keeping track of the phone bill based on the connection. Free from www.geocities.com/nitin_speed/nettimer.htm.

NetTweakPro 3.42 optimizes your Web surfing by changing a handful of hidden Registry settings. Such settings include MTU, RWin, TTL, NDI Cache, and others that could improve your connections up to 300 percent. You can even load presets that could improve your dial-up, cable modem, DSL, LAN, ISDN, or T1 connection. Can't say that the Webmaster's command of English is too impressive, but we know that doesn't mean anything. Requires the VBRUN 6 Runtime files to operate. $20 from www.wyvernworks.com/.

NetWatcher 2000 helps protect you from sites who try to surreptitiously collect info on you by running in the background while you are connected to the Internet, monitoring queries for information. If it detects one, it alerts you and gives you the option of immediately closing the connection. It also logs the intruder's IP address, port number, and host, letting you report the intruder to its Internet service provider. $25 from www.moonlight-software.com/netwatcher.htm.

Network Probe 0.4 provides an instant picture of the traffic situation on your network and enables you to monitor network traffic in real time, hunt down, identify, and isolate traffic problems and congestions on your network. Free from www.network-monitor.net/.

netXtract is another MSIE-only add-on that lets you pull text from any page you visit, store it in a database, and return later to the same page. Sounds useful for sites like this one. An ad-supported version is free; lose the ads for $30. More info is at www.netxtract.com/.

News Rover 8.0 is a newsreader with automatic scanning and downloading features. $30 from www.newsrover.com/.

NewsBinPro 3.32 is a Usenet 'bot that automatically handles downloading and posting to the newsgroups. $35 from www.newsbin.com/.

NewsDart 1.00a is a highly configurable news browser that hunts up the info you want and delivers it to your desktop. Warning: it makes a one-time request that you download Netsonic, but you can safely ignore that. Free from www.newsdart.com/.

NewsFerret is a newsgroup searcher that probes Usenet for the topics that you select. No longer supported by FerretSoft, but still available on many shareware sites.

NewsMonger 1.5 lets you newsgroup junkies search newsgroups using wizards, filters, and schedules. $40 from www.techsmith.com/.

NewZPrint 3.0 is a dandy-sounding utility that lets you compile your own e-newspaper from a myriad of Web sources. Free from www.newzprint.com/; the new version is multilingual.

Nitro Downloader 2.1 accelerates and manages your downloads. It supports all data transfer protocols, including HTTP, FTP and HTTPS. $25 from www.klsofttools.com/nitro.php.

NoCache 1.33 is a simple tool that automatically clears the Internet Explorer temporary files and surfing history whenever you disconnect your dial-up connection. The program runs in the tray and also allows you to clear the cache manually. Note: This only works with dial-up, not broadband. Free from www.drk.com.ar/.

Notes Pilot 1.31 lets you take text or images from any Web page and drag it over the program icon, and from there it will open a new document with the picture or text already inserted, and there you can give your text or image a description so you never forget. $25 from www.surfpilot.net/npilot.html.

Noworyta News Reader 2.9 is a Usenet newsreader and e-mail client that works with multiple Usenet servers in online and offline modes. It supports multiple e-mail accounts, profiles, signatures, attachments in MIME and UUE, ignore lists, and view filters. Additional features include configurable fonts, multiple address books, message canceling, HTML preview, and much more. Free from nnr.freeservers.com/.

Novobot 2.0 is a fully-functional, highly adaptable headline viewer and news ticker. $25 from www.proggle.com/novobot/.

NQL Browser Recorder 1.0.10 is a free MSIE add-on that lets you record a series of mouse clicks and keystrokes, name, save the recording, and run it as a sort of graphical batch file. Find out more from www.nqli.com/browserrecorder/defaultIE.htm.

NSClean 32 4.02 is a sophisticated cookie (and Java, ActiveX, news, cache, and mail) manager for Netscape Navigator. $40 from www.nsclean.com/.

Nutshell Toolbar 1.0 lets you search just about anywhere on the Web for specific information. It adds a search bar to Internet Explorer, allowing you to instantly search Google, Amazon, the IMDB, Dictonary.com, and DayPop. Free from www.torrez.org/projects/nutshell/.

NWReader 0.97 is the beta release of a new, free, multi-featured newsgroup reader. Snap it up at www.nwreader.de/.

Octopus is a free combination browser plug and Web portal builder, available for both MSIE and Netscape. The idea is that Octopus culls the best resources from the Web, and you sort through them to decide which you'd like to combine together to make your own personal portal. Look it over at www.octopus.com/.

Off by One 1.0 is a tiny (1.1MB) standalone browser, compliant with HTML 3.2 and compatible with any flavor of Win 9x as well as XP, 2K, and NT. It routinely blocks popups and popunders, and with free extras, will handle image animation, WAV and AVI playback, and the ability to automatically launch external apps for file types unsupported internally. It does not, however, support Java or DirectX applets, plug-in or Flash support, JavaScript, or SSL. It won't replace your main browser, but for straightforward browsing without strain on your system resources, it might be ideal. Free from offbyone.com/.

Offline Explorer 2.7 SR1 lets you view up to 100 sites offline. Very configurable. $30 for the basic version and $50 for bells and whistles from www.metaproducts.com/mp/mpProducts_Detail.asp.

Offline Navigator 1.01, like the above program, lets you view sites offline by automatically downloading all the pages of a site for later perusal. Free from www.softwarea.com/.

Oligo 2.0 lets you customize the look and feel of MSIE. Free with ads, or $30 to keep the ads off from www.inklineglobal.com/index.html.

Omniquad MyPrivacy 1.0 clears Internet Explorer's history, deletes cookies, disables auto complete, cleans up the list of recently used documents, and flushes temporary folders. Free from www.omniquad.com/.

OnePage lets you create personal home pages much like the Yahoo! or Netscape portal pages without requiring downloading plugins. Free to use at www.onepage.com/.

Opera 7.0.3 has been talked about elsewhere on this site. A lean, highly configurable browser, much faster than the elephantine browsers from Netscape and Microsoft, easier on Windows system resources, and now fully Java-compliant (download the free plugin from java.sun.com/products/plugin). Try it from www.opera.com/ and be ready to pony up $40 to keep it (or try the free, ad-supported version). The new versions sports an upgraded e-mail client and upgraded compliancy with HTML 4.01 and DHTML. Opera is now being bundled with the BeOS operating system. Scot Finnie raves about Version 6, calling it the best browser on the open market, period.

OstroSoft Internet Tools 4.0 is a $29 set of integrated Net utilities, including domain and port scanner functionality, ping and traceroute features, a finger utility, and a whois client. Easy to use, and the price isn't bad. Check it out from www.ostrosoft.addr.com/ostronet.html.

OstroSoft Internet Tools 4.0 is a $29 set of integrated Net utilities, including domain and port scanner functionality, ping and traceroute features, a finger utility, and a whois client. Easy to use, and the price isn't bad. Check it out from www.ostrosoft.addr.com/ostronet.html.

Optimoz allows you to use "mouse gestures" in Mozilla (go to optimoz.mozdev.org/gestures/index.html to find out about mouse gestures). Free from optimoz.mozdev.org.

Page1 is a free utility from www.pcmag.com/download/ that allows you to create your own portal-like home page for customized Web access, without a working knowledge of HTML.

PageQ Editor allows you to make a slideshow out of various Web pages. Can be distributed via e-mail or on the Web itself. The "lite" version is free; if you like it, you may find you want to step up to the heftier versions. Find out more from www.pageq.com/.

Paper Shredder 1.2 destroys the evidence of where you've been with Internet Explorer. It deletes your history file, cache, cookies, and Location bar addresses, clears your Documents menu, removes clips from RealPlayer and Windows Media Player, empties your Recycle Bin and removes temporary files. $20 from www.screenmate.net/.

PasteLister 1.6 stores URLs, e-mail addresses, etc. for automatic completion of Web forms. $16 from www.progency.com/pastelister.html.

Personal Index Page 2 lets you build your own start page with your own links. Free from www.personalindexpage.com/home/en/index.html.

PestPatrol 3.1 performs the same functions as Ad-Aware, namely identifying and removing spyware from your computer. $30 from www.safersite.com/.

PhaseOut 4.0.0 is a skinnable Internet Explorer-based Web browser. It features Macromedia Flash skins, a detachable toolbar (controller), a 10-function sidebar, PhotoMail (requires a Webcam), a tabbed interface, and more. Heavy on resource usage, and it sends some information back to its home site when used, but still worth a look at 1.phaseout.net/site/default.htm.

PicoPhone 1.31 is a relatively easy-to-use Internet phone client, though it does help to have some knowledge of Internet telephony and how it works. Allows multiple callers, so you can set up conference calls. Free from web.tiscali.it/vitez/picophone.html.

Pipteen 1.0b is a graphical ping utility. Lots of features, and free from www.68k.org/~interiot/pipteen/.

Ping Plotter combines a ping and traceroute utility to provide you with IP addresses, DNS names, and a graphical representation of the digital trace. A basic version (release 1.10, and plenty for most amateurs) is free; a more souped-up version (v.2.30.1) costs $15, both from www.nessoft.com/pingplotter/.

Pluck 9.5 beta is a RSS organizer that handles your RSS feeds. Tons of RSS sites are presubcribed, and more can be added. Free from www.pluck.com/.

Pop-Down 1.0.3 lets you stop any extra IE windows from opening up. A simple and free way to control pop-ups on MSIE from home.rochester.rr.com/artcfox/Pop-Down/.

Pop-Up Ad Filter is an MSIE-only ad blocker that works quite well. $25 to keep (the trial version blocks 40 ads and then lobotomizes itself) from www.meaya.com/.

Pop-Up Stopper Professional blocks pop-ups in Internet Explorer, AOL, MSN, Netscape, Opera, and Mozilla, among others. Automatic updates, cleans your URL and browser history, cleans your cache, eliminates cookies, deletes the INDEX.DAT file, and cleans other areas of your surfing history. The lite version is free; the pro version goes for $30 from www.panicware.com/popupstopper.htm.

PopAway is a $10 goodie from www.triceris.com/ that stops Web sites from opening multiple browser windows without your consent. It works with MSIE 3x and beyond, and Navigator 4x.

PopOff 2.02 is a free utility that prevents unwanted pop-up windows (like ads) from appearing as you surf. Find out more from www.intercantech.com/popoff.htm.

PopUp Buster is another program that kills off pop-up windows, including the "on exit" ads that so many of us can't stand. Free from www.popupbuster.com/PopUpBuster/.

PopUpDummy 2.71 is a $30 pop-up blocker that works well with Netscape. Find out more from www.popupdummy.com/.

PopUp Killer 1.42.1 is similar to the Pop Up Stopper above, and free from software.xfx.net/utilities/popupkiller/index.html. Currently this program is in limbo, and may be revamped through the Open Source protocols. Check the home page for news and updates.

Popup Manager 1.0.0.5 gives you control over which pop-ups are stopped and which are allowed through. Free (donations accepted) from www.endpopups.com/.

Popup Silencer II 1.0 also removes pop-ups and pop-unders, Flash ads, and more. $14 from www.pcmesh.com/.

Pow 1.57 nails annoying pop-up ads while you browse the Web. Free from www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/pow.htm.

Power Browser allows you to have only one window visible in the system, while others are hidden in the background; to switch easily between windows from a menu with their full titles, it lets you enter in exact pixel dimensions to resize your browser window. Free from www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/powerb.htm.

Power Siphon 1.0.293 is a Web spider that automatically downloads specified Web sites or content. It creates freely redistributable self-extracting .EXE files of content and analytical reports as well as creates images from Web pages. Free from www.powersiphon.com/.

Power Tweaks Web Accessories are free Microsoft offerings that add an array of functions to MSIE 5. Find out more from www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/webaccess/pwrtwks.exe.

Powermarks 3.5 is a powerful, popular bookmark manager and personal search engine. $25 from www.kaylon.com/.

PQBRowser 2, another MSIE front end, loads thumbnail panels of Web sites as you surf, letting you access a visual history of the sites you've visited. Also suppresses pop-ups and lets you assign hotkeys to favorite sites. $30 from www.phasequest.com/.

PrivacyGuarder 3.0 cleans up your Internet history file, your browser's cache, typed URLs, cookies, Favorites, recent file lists, and your My Documents and My Pictures folders. Lets you view the contents of these files and folders and see what's being stored, then erase only what you want. $30 from www.privacysoft.com/.

Private Bookmarks 3.3 hides selected bookmarks in Netscape, the old AOL browser, and MSIE. $30 to keep from www.webroot.com/down1.htm.

Propel Accelerator 1.0.7 speeds up Web surfing by offering Propel's servers as an intermediary between you and the Web sites you visit. Though you might expect this arrangement to slow down your surfing, the company claims that it speeds up the process because Propel's servers compress Web pages before your modem receives them. In addition, the company's servers can cache more pages than you could yourself. $60/year from www.propel.com/.

Proxomitron Naoko 4.3 is a freebie from proxomitron.cjb.net/ or www.extremetech.com/proxomitron/ that keeps Web surfers from getting stuck in unwanted frames, allows disabling of banner and Java pop-up ads, and lets the user decide what filtering options they want. It leads you through the simple task of changing the proxy option of your browser, but that's no big whoop. Highly recommended. Unfortunately, the program is no longer supported by the author.

PRTG - Paessler Router Traffic Grapher 1.0 lets you set up and run a monitoring station that logs the amount of data flowing out and into any SNMP-enabled network component. You can monitor the bandwidth usage of leased lines, routers and firewalls, as well as the usage of servers, managed switches, printers and other network components. Free from www.paessler.com/prtg.

PurgeIE 4.02 is an MSIE-only browser add-on that makes it easy to delete selected browser files (cookies, cache, temp, etc). $15 from www.aandrc.com/purgeie/index.htm.

qbView 1.0 goes one step beyond the average bookmark manager, letting you store, organize, and e-mail selected Web pages. Free from quickbrowse.com/qbeasy.cgi.

Quick Favorites Search 4.3.2 searches your Favorites and Bookmarks files for Internet Explorer, Opera, Netscape Navigator, and Mozilla. If you have multiple Favorites or Bookmarks, this tool can quickly search them all and produce the results. Free from chris.id.au/qfs/default.htm.

QuickBrowse isn't a program, it's a free Web-based utility that sends you a copy of a selected Web page, or pages, at a designated time. Also collects various Web links into one easily browsed Web page. Check it out at www.quickbrowse.com/.

Quiver is a free bookmark manager for either MSIE or Netscape. It adds a toolbar that allows you quick access, and lets you upload your bookmarks to a secure Quiver Web site for access elsewhere. Free from www.quiver.com/.

Raccoonworks SpeedTest 1.0 enables you to find out how fast your network transfer speed is, allowing you to measure transfer speeds between your computer and any Web site or networked computer. Free from www.raccoonworks.com/.

RapidBrowser XP lets you watch streaming video without having to go through mind-boggling contortions with your connection. It connects through MSIE and Windows Media Player to provide you with video and audio, as well as other broadband-related applications. Also includes an MP3 player and IM client. $30 from www.rapidbrowser.com/home.html. Be warned, Rapid Media wants you to refer your friends and relatives to their product, as well as requires you to log in to their local server before using their software.

RascalPro 1.9 simulates Net activity to prevent dropped connections. It also provides information about your dial-up session, including the name of the dial-up server; the IP address of the current connection; a calculation of your monthly connection costs so far; and a time log of how long you've been online for the current session, day, week, month, and year. $30 to keep from www.basta.com/.

RealTime Cookie Cleaner 2.0 lets you remove selected cookies from your hard drive. IE only; $10 from www.kleinsoft.co.za/.

ReGet Deluxe 3.2 is another tool for accelerating and managing your downloads; like so many others, it splits the file into smaller, more quickly downloadable, chunks, and reintegrates these chunks once the downloads are complete. Free from www.regetsoft.com/.

Remote Dialer Basic 2.1 lets you dial into the Internet from a remote location. Free from www.birusoft.com/.

Research Desk Web 3.0 is an MSIE add-on with an extensive list of extras, including FTP and zipping/unzipping capabilities, a tabbed document interface, and a full range of MS Word properties. $30 from www.winferno.com/rdweb.htm.

RipClip lets Web surfers capture and store any Web page for offline viewing and discussion. You can also annotate and organize the captured pages' content. Free from www.ripclip.com/.

RoboForm 4.6.8 is an IE add-on which which fills in forms, and remembers passwords and log-in information. It features password encryption (using 3DES) for sensitive information, prints collected passwords, easy backup and restore of passwords, multiple identities, and more. Free from www.roboform.com/.

RSS Reader 1.0.72.0 is a nicely done, easy-to-use RSS reader. Free from www.rssreader.com/.

RSSNewsTicker 0.9.5 brings you the updates from your favorite XML/RSS resources. Free from www.rssnewsticker.com/.

RunIEAs 1.1 lets you craft individual MSIE browser settings for every user of a particular machine. Everyone can have their own start page, Favorites, etc (in other words, user profiles just like in Netscape and Opera). Free from eame.ethics.ubc.ca/users/rikblok/software/runieas/.

SafetyNet 1.06 is an e-shopping utility that lets you see just how secure the Web site is that you're browsing. It ascertains what level of security protocols are in use and how prone it is to hacking. Free from www.internetquality.com/.

Sam Spade 1.14 lets you use server-finding tools such as nslookup, whois, and traceroute from a graphical interface, and information found with one tool can be queried using another. Its SMTP Verify tool helps you check on the validity of an e-mail address, which can help you discover if e-mail is being sent from that address or forwarded from another address to cover the spammer's tracks. Another helpful feature sends HTTP packets to your ISP's Web server every minute or so, to keep a dial-up link active. Useful for finding spammers or people trying to track you through your IP. Free from www.samspade.org/.

Save with Images for Netscape 1.1 does just what it says: allows Netscape 4.x users to save an entire Web page, with images. $10 from www.inquare.com/swi/index.phtml.

ScriptActive lets you convert pages with ActiveX controls to work with Navigator and a plug-in. 10 copies costs you $115 (!) from www.ncompass.com.

Search Screen is a package of six Web utilities that let you manage cookie consumption, erase your surfing tracks, squash spam, check your e-mail, block banner and pop-up ads, and automatically check your favorite Web sites for updates. $20 from www.databecker.com/.

Search Toolbar 1.0 lets you search over 70 search engines, including Google, movies, weather and eBay. You can also block pop-up advertisements, check news and e-mail, automatically fill in forms and launch programs, and even play MP3s. $30 from www.searchtoolbar.com/index.php.

Search+ 0.9.9.34 is a Copernic-esque meta Web searcher that hunts through multiple indexes, saves your search results, lets you search in specific locations, features a multilingual interface, and allows you access to "underground" sites not readily accessible to Joe Surfer. Free from tech.sammit.kiev.ua/url/srchplus/index.shtml.

SearchBar 1.1 adds a tiny search bar to the top of your browser, allowing you instant access to any of 6 major search engines (AltaVista, Excite, Google, HotBot, Lycos, and Yahoo), but you can add almost any engine you want. Can be minimized to the System Tray for out-of-the-way usage. Simple, elegant, and free. Check it out at www.searchbarpro.com/.

SearchSites 3.0.0 is a tool for software developers which searches nominated shareware sites for any given program's name, and shows if the software is listed and if it needs to be updated. While designed for shareware authors, it is also suitable for general searches through these shareware sites. Based off Internet Explorer, SearchSites opens a number of tabbed windows which displays the results of the search. Free from www.searchsoftwaresites.com/.

SecureIE is a security-heavy browser add-in that works with Internet Explorer to fortify your defenses by blocking unauthorized ActiveX Controls, JavaScript, cookies and file downloads. Prevents hackers from getting at your personal information by clearing sensitive data (credit card info, e-mail, passwords, and so on) stored in hidden locations your PC, and blocks pop-up windows, too. $30 from www.secureie.com/.

Send a FAX from your Web Browser isn't a downloadable program, it's a free Web-based way to, well, send a fax from your browser. See if it works for you at www.tpc.int/tpc_home.html.

Serv-U 4.1.0.3 uses the FTP protocol to share files across the Internet. $40 from www.serv-u.com/.

ServerUp 1.0 checks up to three URLs to see if they are up and running, at user-defined intervals. Free from uk.geocities.com/f1com_2000/VB/index.html.

Settings Sentry 1.1 stops malicious Web pages, software and other types of sneakware from changing your Internet Explorer settings; works like a firewall for vulnerable Internet Explorer settings. $20 from www.spyblocker-software.com/ss/ss.htm.

SharpReader 0.9.2.1 is a free newsreader that works very well. Find out more from www.sharpreader.com/. Requires the Microsoft NET protocol.

SHO is a utility that works with your browser to help you search sites more efficiently and thoroughly. It is billed as being very useful for e-shopping and news surfing, among other things. As far as I can tell, it's free from www.3potato4.com. SHO even works with the Mac.

Shockmachine is a new technology from Macromedia, vendors of the ubiquitous Shockwave (see the next item). The software player is free for the download from www.macromedia.com/, and promises to deliver cartoons, games, music, and other multimedia goodies from Comedy Central, Fox Interactive, Hasbro Interactive, Marvel Comics, and Warner Brothers, among others. The full-fledged "entertainment console" costs $20. Note: in the several years since I first noted this item, I've heard precious little about it. It might be discontinued.

shortWIRE makes working with RSS simple and keeps everything online. Good place for beginners to check out the world of RSS. Free from www.shortwire.com/.

SimpleFind 1.0 Beta is a free utility that lets you search several Web search engines simultaneously. You can also save your search results. Find it at www.antonypr.pair.com/simplefind.html.

SimulBrowse 3.02 lets you open multiple "tabs" of MSIE 4 and quickly switch among browser windows. $20 to keep from www.simulbrowse.com/.

Skywander Web Browser 4.24 is a free multi-tabbed Web browser with some nice features, from free.efile.com.cn/skywander/index.htm. Don't let the page's shaky grasp of English put you off.

SlimBrowser 3.43 is a multiple-site IE-based Web browser based on a tab-page interface. It features a popup killer, skinnable window frame, form filler, site group, quick-search, auto login, hidden sites, built-in commands and scripting, online translation, script error suppression, blacklist/whitelist filtering, URL Alias, and more. Free from www.flashpeak.com/.

Smart Protector - Internet Traces Eraser 2.2 erases all traces of your Internet activity, including your Internet Explorer history, cookies, temporary files and more. $25 from smartprotector.com/eraser/.

SmoothSurfin 2.0 is a simple but powerful, no-nonsense pop-up protection utility that is guaranteed to provide smooth, peaceful Web browsing at all times while it is "on duty," effectively terminating all unwanted pop-up browser windows before you even see them. The program runs quietly in your System Tray using very few resources. $15 from www.harmonyhollow.net/.

Snippets 2.0 is the latest version of the cult favorite, a Web browser utility tht sits at the bottom of your browser screen and extracts information from Web sites. Used to its potential, Snippets cuts down on repetitive Web surfing. Example: use a Snippet to pull Yahoo!'s weather forecast down twice daily; use another Snippet to get updated info on a particular stock every 15 minutes; use a third to update local movie schedules once weekly. Lots of prebuilt Snippets are available, so you spend minimal time configuring and maximum time letting this utility's digital fingers do the walking. Free from www.snippets.com.

SoftPerfect Network Scanner 1.0 is a multi-threaded IP and NetBIOS scanner with a modern interface and several advanced features. It is intended for both system administrators and users who are interested in computer security. The program pings computers, scans for listening TCP ports, and shows what types of resources are shared on a network (including system and hidden). Free from www.softperfect.com/products/networkscanner/.

Softsun Net Assistant 1.01 includes Softsun eHunter, a program for collecting Internet information and managing HTML files as well as making Help files, Softsun Flashplayer, a flash player that also converts SWF to screensaver or .EXE files, Softsun Kill Ad, which kills Internet pop-ups, and a keyboard sound program. $33 from www.softsun.com.cn/.

SpartaCom CryptoGram 2.0 is a non-intrusive but full-featured security encryption program that makes it easy to encrypt your data on the fly. A commercial demo is available from www.spartacom.com/, but they don't make it easy to buy the program on their site, so I'll leave it to you to wade through the Web pages necessary for a price quote.

SpeedConnect 4.0 optimizes your IP settings for faster Internet and FTP connections. $20 from www.cbs-soft.com/.

SpeedNet 4.0 is a suite of Internet connectivity utilities including a download manager, Net security, and Net booster. Requires the Visual Basic 6.0 runtime files. $25 from macarlo.com/speednet402604.htm.

SpiderMiner 1.0 sends a "spider" of your own out on the Web to find video clips, MP3s, program files, and other goodies. $35 from www.spiderminer.com/.

SpiderMonki 1.0 is a simple download manager and Web spider that allows you to download all files from a given URL that match your criteria. You can use it to download images, MP3 files, Web pages, or any other Web content that is linked from the starting URL. In addition, you can also configure it to perform keyword searches using the search engine string of your choice, and then download the files returned from the search query. Nice free program, but the home page, spidermonki.netfirms.com/, is currently down; try downloading it from www.mywebattack.com/gnomeapp.php?id=105439.

SpotOn is a browser plug that lets you specify links to "preload" while you peruse another page. Then, when you click on the link, it's already loaded and ready for viewing. Free (?) from www.spoton.com/.

Spy Sweeper 1.2 is a $30 program that detects and removes spyware, including Trojans, adware, keyloggers and system monitoring tools (e.g., Gator, Xupiter, Backorifice and more). Try it out at www.webroot.com/wb/products/spysweeper/index.php.

Spyblocker 5 is a realtime memory scanner that watches for Web bugs, ads, worms, spyware, scripts, and cookies. $20 from www.spyblocker-software.com/spyblocker/.

Spybot Search and Destroy .95 is a free spyware hunter from www.wilders.org/downloads.htm that promises to compare well with Ad-Aware.

SpySites 1.0 allows you to manage the Internet Explorer Restricted Zone settings and easily add entries from a database of 1500+ sites that are known to use advertising tracking methods or attempt to install third party software. You can select the sites from the list, or optionally add all of them, or only the "worst offenders." The program then adds the URLs to the IE Restricted Zone settings. Once configured, there is no need to run the program again, unless you want to add additional sites. Free from camtech2000.net/.

Spyster 1.0.19 lets you see the IP addresses and Ports of users who are downloading files from their local computer and the remote computer they are grabbing files from. Features: Monitor IP Addresses/Port Inbound/Outbound, DNS Lookups on connections, connection state, and more. Free from www.spyster.com/spyster/default.asp.

SpyStopper 2.01 is designed to block the devices that are used to track and profile you. It blocks only those suspicious ads, cookies, and scripts that are intrusive and may cause security and privacy concerns. $18 from www.itcompany.com/spystop.htm.

SSSpider 2.3 is a search facilitating utility that promises to enhance and simplify your Web searches. It hunts through 200 search sites in 27 languages. $30 to keep from www.kryltech.com/.

Star Downloader 1.42 is another in a long line of download accelerators. This one splits the download into smaller files, speeding download time, and allows for resuming of broken downloads. Very fast, and free from www.stardownloader.com/.

StartPage Guard 2.5 keeps malicious Web sites from changing your start page without your knowledge. Next time a pop-up ad changes your start page to something like www.bigbooty.com/ you'll think about this program. Free from www.pjwalczak.com/index.php.

Stay Connected! 4.01 keeps your ISP from booting you offline. $25 from www.inklineglobal.com/products/sc/

Stay Live 2000 2.8 keeps your Internet Dial-Up Connection active and on-line by periodically sending a small TCP/IP packet to one of the many Atomic Clocks maintained by the US government. Free from www.gregorybraun.com/.

StayAOL 1.0, like the above program, keeps your ISP from kicking you offline. Optimized for AOL users. Free from stayaol.n3.net/.

StayOn Pro 3.23 keeps your ISP from kicking you offline by randomly pinging URLs. Supports AOL, Prodigy, AT&T, most proxy servers, and lots more. $20 from rclabs.simplenet.com/.

STG Cache Audit 1.0 is an advanced cache, cookie, and history viewer that allows you to investigate Web surfing habits on a local machine. Free from www.stgsys.com/cache.asp.

Stop-the-Pop 2.01 is a tool which aggressively kills pop-up and pop-under ads before they even appear. It's compatible with most browsers, but the downside is that it's not particularly selective; it stops all pop-ups, even informational ones. Free from www.bysoft.se/sureshot/stopthepop/index.html.

StorURL 1.2.13 lets you store and organize URLs with a descriptive name, which makes it easy to access frequently visited Web sites. Free from haztek.d2g.com/getpage.php?page=storurl.

StreamSniffer 1.0 is a network sniffer for Windows that gives you a clear view of each distinct TCP and UDP stream on your network. $69 from www.liveye.com/streamsniffer/.

Subject Search Siter 3.04 is an intelligent Web agent that investigates a given Web site for a search phrase, finds information buried within that page and provides a report with a ranked list of page links and text extracts. $70 from www.kryltech.com/siter.htm.

Super Popup Blocker 2.4 stops pop-up ads without interfering with your normal surfing. $30 from www.pop-up-killer.net/index.htm.

SuperBot 2.50.0025A downloads entire Web sites to your hard drive or CD for later perusal. Also handles file downloads. Free from www.sparkleware.com/.

Supercool Bookmark 1.77 iS an Internet bookmark management tool that supports multi-users, contains password protection, two types of bookmark interfaces, a powerful search engine, import and export features, as well as backup and restore functions. $20 from www.supercoolbookmark.com/.

SuperCool Window Washer 1.00 protects your privacy by cleaning the tracks of your Internet and computer activities. $25 from www.supercoolbookmark.com/washer/index.html.

Super Simple RSS (SSRSS) 2.5 is not another feed reader or aggregator, but designed for people who have content on Web sites they would like to get in RSS format for syndicating. Free from hunterdavis.com/ssrss.html.

Surf 1.4 is an open-source, freeware Web browser that converts big fat Web pages into text-only, easily skimmed displays. Also a URL display and Web search functions. Check it out at www.hughes.net/~scheper.

Surf+ 1.0 controls the information being sent and received from your computer. The program's Pop-up Manager lets you disable all pop-ups or allow those with the properties, or from the domains, that you specify. It also blocks unwanted cookies. Free from www.filemix.net/.

Surfie 1.0 is an IE-based, MS Agent-enabled utility that lets you control your browser with speech, allowing a hands-free surf. Free from www.voicegeek.com/default.html.

Surfin' Annette is shareware (free for K-12 schools) that is a configurable Web blocker for safe kid Web surfing. Download it from www.spycatcher.com/Default.htm.

SurfPal 2.0 is an MSIE-only utility that provides one-click cleaning, popup window control, and many surfing enhancements. The home page is AWOL; try downloading this one from www.gnomedownloads.com/Internet/, and be prepared to pony up $35 to keep it.

SurfPics 1.0 is an image-search themed Web browser/search tool that delivers easy access to graphics and pictures via image search engines and image galleries. Free from www.4comtech.com/surfpics/index.html.

SurfSaver 2.2, from www.surfsaver.com/, lets you save Web pages in searchable folders for later perusal. The ad-supported version is free while the Pro version costs $30 and has more features; both require Netscape 4.x or MSIE 4.x to function.

SurfSecret Deluxe 5.0 cleans up leftover graphics and image files, cookies, and other remains of a hard day's Web surfing. The latest version has a "Keystroke Wakeup" feature, as well as the ability to stay hidden until a particular hotkey is pressed. $30 from www.surfsecret.com/.

Swoop 1.0 is a search engine bot that queries various search engines as you direct, and returns results quickly. Free, and with no ads, from www.545studios.com/.

SyncURLs 1.4 is a free bookmark management utility from www.zdnet.com/pcmag/pctech/content/17/01/ut1701.001.html that lets you synchronize and merge Netscape and MSIE bookmarks.

Syndirella 0.9b is a news reader that isn't browser-based; you can read your messages straight from your desktop. Free from www.yole.ru/projects/syndirella/.

System Security Suite 1.04 removes internet tracks and junk files from your computer. It allows you to delete cookies, clear Internet Explorer's cache, delete INDEX.DAT files, clear typed URLs, clears the Windows Temp Folder, and more. You can also specify custom folder locations with file masks, which will be cleaned in addition to the selected items. In addition, the program allows you to view and optionally remove programs that launch automatically at Windows startup. Free from www.igorshpak.net/.

Tambu CPU Speed monitors your CPU speed in real time. Free from www.xploiter.com/tambu/tambucpuspd.shtml.

TCPView Professional Edition shows you exactly what's going on behind the scenes with your network connections. $70 from www.winternals.com/.

Third Voice 2000 1.0 is a controversial product that lets you add virtual "sticky notes" to a Web site, viewable only by other Third Voice users. In theory, this provides surfers a medium for commentary and criticism of the sites they surf; in reality, many of the messages are either spam or pointless flames, the Web version of graffiti. The newest release gives Third Voice new, useful features, such as highlighting select keywords on a site and providing relevant news, reviews, and shopping links. What you do with it is your choice, but used correctly, Third Voice is an excellent way to make the Web that much more interactive. Free from www.thirdvoice.com/.

Tick 2.10 is a powerful freebie that handles a lot of your Internet connection tasks for you, including logging on and off, autoloading support software, tracking passwords, locating IPs, auto-checking Web sites for updates, and plenty else. Free from software.reallyeffective.co.uk/tick_index.html.

TIFNY Usenet Newsreader 3.804 is a Usenet newsgroup reader that filters and catalogs media files in newsgroups. Free from www.tifny2.com/.

TightHyperLinks 1.0 corrals all the links from a single page and puts them together in a separate "drop area" for later use. Free from www.tightprices.com/products/TightHyperLinks/.

Time Assistant - Web-Based Timesheet Software 5.0 tracks and analyzes site visits and creates customized reports. Also has sorting and grouping capabilities, filters and the ability to mark visits by predefined rules. Free from www.time-assistant.com/product/free.htm.

TimelyWeb 3.20 monitors Web and FTP resources and notifies you when the resources change. When a change is detected, TimelyWeb can open the Web page, download the binary resource, send e-mail notification or just show you a message. Free from www.timelyweb.com/.

Toolbar Wallpaper is a Microsoft utility that lets you change the look of your MSIE toolbar with 10 premade "skins," or use your own .BMP files. Free from www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/previous/webaccess/tbwlpapr.asp. Useless, but I like it.

Toolbar Wallpaper Pro 4.0 is a neat little goodie that, just as the above Microsoft utility, lets you "skin" the toolbars of Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer, Outlook Express, and My Computer. Skins are available onsite or you can use your own .BMP images. $13 from www.CamTech2000.net/.

TouchGraph 1.01 is a Web-based tool that visualizes networks of interrelated web sites. Type in a URL and it will show you graphically how it's connected. Free to use at www.touchgraph.com/TGGoogleBrowser.html.

TracePlus Ethernet 2.50.000 is a pricey ($400) packet capture tool that supports 10/100-BaseTX and 802.11b wireless networks. Try it out at www.sstinc.com/ethernet.html.

Traceroute 1.2.23.44 is a slick, 3D-representational graphic trace route program that visually plots your Net connection from your ISP to a specific Web site. Free from www.hlembke.de/prod/3dtraceroute/.

Traces Viewer 1.0 shows everything your PC acquires for every website you visit. With the simple interface, you can see what files come from each site, and also if the site contained any cookies. Free from www.surfpilot.net/tracesviewer.html.

Tracks Eraser Pro 3.2 allows you to eradicate all traces of your Net surfing from your machine. Also works to clean up your footprints in Windows, Outlook Express, Acrobat, Yahoo Messenger, and more. $30 from www.acesoft.net/.

TransURL 1.1.0 is a little utility that removes escape codes in Web addresses. Escape codes are three character codes beginning with % making the URL look trashy. For IE only; free from www.screaminet.com/~tswirsky/transurl.htm.

Trust Setter 1.72 allows you to quickly and easily move sites from IE's Trusted and Restricted Zones. You can use this to stop all sites (except the ones you want to allow) from displaying pop-up ads or writing cookies to your computer. Free from www.jasons-toolbox.com/ScriptRepository/.

Turbo Browser 2001 8.0 is a multi-functional file viewer that includes a series of free built-in plug-ins. Allows for FTP file management as well. $90 from www.filestream.com/turbobrowser2001/.

TurnFlash 2.10 allows you to disable Flash files from playing in your browser. Useful for keeping things quiet at work as well as protecting your PC from potential viruses. Free from www.nirsoft.net/.

TweakIE 3.1 lets you customize many of MSIE's settings, and also works with Outlook/Outlook Express. $15 from www.tweakie.com/.

TweakMASTER 1.71 promises faster Internet connections and downloads; the wonks at Wugnet seem to agree. Even works with AOL connections. The Pro version ($30) includes a DU Meter accessory; the plain vanilla version ($20) does not. Find out more from www.tweakmaster.com/.

TZO Dynamic DNS Client with Photo Sharing 2.11 uses dynamic DNS client/server technology to fix static domain names to dynamic IP addresses. This allows Internet users with cable, DSL and dial-up Internet connections to host their own photo server, Web site, FTP server, mail server, game server or any other TCP/IP service from a PC at home or in the office. $25 from www.tzo.com/mainpagetext/ClientV21.html.

UCmore is an add-in that hunts down sites similar to the ones you're currently viewing. Versions available for both MSIE and Netscape. Free from www.ucmore.com/.

UnMozify 6.1 allows you to explore and index your cache for offline browsing. Different versions for Navigator and MSIE are available for $30 each at www.evolve.co.uk/.

URL Discombobulator 1.0 rewrites "stealth" or deliberately confusing URLs to show what they actually are. Free from www.karenware.com/powertools/ptlanmon.asp; requires the VBRUN 6 files.

URL Manager 2000 is a $15 bookmark manager from www.dlcwest.com/~sorev/ that creates HTML pages of specified bookmarks.

URL WebBook 1.0 sits in the system tray and collects URLs as you direct. Easy. Free from www.nhuntsoftware.com/urlweb.html.

Urlbase 4.0 allows you to organize your bookmarks as an HTML file, export and import them from browser to browser, clear out duplicate links, and send all of your links via e-mail. Free from www.metalusions.com/urlbase/introduction.php.

URLMenu 98 2.1 gives you a menu of your bookmarks, lets you search them, and scans them for dead links. Must work with Netscape and Explorer bookmarks separately. Free from www.elphin.com/products/urlmenu.html.

UrlTracker 1.00 helps parents keep track of their kids' browsing habits; even kids who know about clearing the History file, cache files, etc. can't avoid being recorded by this utility. Free from www.injectedsoftware.cjb.net/urltracker.htm.

Version Browser 2.9.0.0 makes your apps, files, etc. tell their version information. Helpful for identifying orphaned and mismatched files and components. Free from www.karenware.com/, as is the Visual Basic source code.

Visual Marks 1.2 is a visual bookmark manager that allows you to manage your bookmarks via colors and Web page snapshots, rather than a list of text links. Adds a new Explorer bar to the IE toolbar. You can choose to add it to the IE Favorites as well, or you can keep a separate list of Favorites. The program can also import your existing IE/Netscape/Opera links and then gather the snapshots for each. Additional features include link validation, optional detail list, an "export as Web page" function, and more. Free from www.6bytes.com/.

VisualRoute 6.0b shows the route taken by TCP/IP packets and reports on each node. Useful for seeing exactly how your Net connection is functioning, or not functioning. $38 from www.visualware.com/.

vPing 1.00.02 is a small utility which gives instant, meaningful information about your Internet connection for testing quality, checking for errors, comparing various ISPs, and more. Free from www.pjwalczak.com/vping/.

w.bloggar 3.00 is a client tool that posts, publishes, edits, and deletes blog entries for many of the popular blogging utilities. Plus, it offers features that may not come with the blogging software, including spell check, adding links and images, saving posts locally, find and replace, and others. Free from wbloggar.com/.

Web Copier is a free utility that lets you download entire Web pages for offline viewing. Find out more from www.maximumsoft.com/.

Web Highlighter 1.0 lets you annotate and highlight Web pages that you visit, as long as you're using MSIE 4x or higher. The additions will be visible every time you visit that page. Free from www.pcmag.com/utilities/.

Web Hunter 2.0 gives you an easy way to lift only the links you want from your search engine results. Free from www.azuremountainsoft.com/download.htm.

Web Magnet is a utility that lets you attach MP3, video clips, graphics, photos, and sound clips from the Internet into your browser for easy viewing. $30 from www.databecker.com/.

Web PrintSmart works only with Hewlett-Packard printers, particularly LaserJet, DeskJet, and OfficeJet models, and only with recent releases of Navigator or MSIE. If that fits you, Web PrintSmart lets you print part or all of a web site. Get it free from www.hp.com/go/webprintsmart/.

Web SurfACE 3.0.1 is a smart little MSIE-only utility that lets you open Web pages in subsequent, tabbed windows, along with numerous other useful features. An ad-supported version is free, while an ad-free version costs you $25. Get the info from www.toolpool.com/.

Web Talkster 1.1 is another browser utility that gives you the option of having a Web page's text "spoken" by one of three animated characters. This one works using ActiveX technology, and is very customizable. Again, not my cup of tea, but I'd love a report of how it works for you. $25 from www.webtalkster.com/web_talkster.htm.

Web Window Killer 0.91b kills pop-ups from sources listed in its database. Easy to configure, and free from www.anarelion.com/aalku/WebWindowKiller/main.php.

Webbe 3.0 is a customizable Internet chat client and downloadable, configurable portal. It offers little documentation, but a large array of features that offset that lack. Free from www.webbe.com/Webbe_Download/webbe_download.html.

WebCheck gives you a small icon that floats over your browser screen; when you drag and drop a text selection onto the icon, WebCheck opens a search engine that gives you links related to your text. Free from www.webtop.com.

WebCopier 2.0 is a free browser plug-in that records Web sites and stores them locally for offline browsing. Download it from home.columbus.rr.com/mklimov/.

WebFerret 5.0 is a freeware utility that simultaneously searches 11 engines and returns the results in a sortable list. You can then peruse the list while the program continues to work. You choose the browser and the search engines. Get it from www.zdnet.com/ferret/index.html. This is a "lite" version of the $30 WebFerret PRO utility. This is one utility that I can enthusiastically vouch for -- it may not be as complete as, say, Copernic, but it's not far off, and very easy to use.

Webforia is an expensive ($100) Web page organizer that saves and organizes Web pages or selected content therein. Check it out at www.webforia.com/. Benchmark testing turned up some JavaScript and linking errors; unless you need the powerful sharing and reporting features of Webforia, a freebie like iHarvest should do fine for you.

Webkey2000 1.2 lets you launch designated Web pages from keyboard shortcuts. Free from webkey.virtualave.net/webkey.html.

WebMap Beta organizes your surfing by presenting you with a graphical picture of the Web, showing areas of a map with subjects such as Regional, Reference, Shopping, and Health. You can click on the section and eventually "zoom" into the Web page that you're looking for. You can also enter subjects into the search field, and icons will appear inside the sections. Your favorites appear on the WebMap, as well as the most popular sites. There's even a "Where am I?" icon. Very cool, and free to try from www.webmap.com/.

WebMon 1.0.7 automatically monitors any number of Webpages and advises when they are updated. It features optional popup alerts, resides as a desktray icon, can import IE or Netscape favorites, proxy support, can open any entry in your Web browser, and more. Free from www.markwell.btinternet.co.uk/webmon/.

WebPhace 1.0 is a free, MSIE-only browser interface that bills itself as more than just a skin, but an entirely new way to augment and enhance your browsing. Various sports, music, and movie themes are available. Check it out at www.aboutphace.com/.

WebReaper 3.5 downloads a single URL's page, along with links and graphics, to a local folder for later perusal. Free from www.otway.com/webreaper/index.html.

WebSplit allows you to view multiple Web pages (up to 25) at the same time, on the same screen. It even includes a chat client so you can talk with other visitors to the same pages. Free from www.websplit.com/.

WEBster is a free MSIE plugin that lets you find the dictionary definition of any word simply by highlighting and right-clicking it. Get the lowdown from www.bayden.com/webster/index.html.

WebStripper 1.34 is a free offline browser that "strips" Web pages from the Net and loads them into your machine for later browsing. Available from www.solentsoftware.com/webstripper/. An ad-free version costs $40.

WebTabs 2.0 is a $40 utility from www.rballance.com/products/webtabs.html that helps you manage your Navigator or IE bookmarks. It offers more functions than most of us will ever use.

Web-TalkIt 1.2 gives your browser voice recognition. Teach it to respond to your voice. Does this work? I'd love to know; try it free and keep it for $15 at www.groverind.com/webtalkit.html.

WebTree 1.5 keeps sites you've visited, and the links you didn't click, in an Explorer-tree format. $25 from www.paw-print.com/webtree/webtree.htm.

WebVCR is an offline browser that, like a VCR, can be set to record certain sites at certain times. $40 to keep from www.netresultscorp.com.

WebWasher 4.5 is another recommended ad-blocking browser utility. Free from www.webwasher.com/, though they now offer a corporate "enterprise edition" for $30.

WebWhacker 2000 is a $50 Web-capture utility that lets users download and view Web pages for offline browsing. While the update is a significant improvement over earlier versions, freebies like iHarvest still do the job better and cheaper. Look it over at www.bluesquirrel.com.

WebZIP Offline Browser is a $40 utility that lets you download and save Web pages for later browsing. Find out more from www.spidersoft.com.

WeMedia Talking Browser 1.0 is a browser that "speaks" the text from web pages for the benefit of the blind or visually impaired surfer. The maker insists that this utility is much more than a standard "screen reader;" it's operated by either keystrokes or mouse clicks. Free from 216.219.186.187/atec/WeMedia_TB.htm.

WhoIs 2.0 looks up information on any URL or domain host. Great for identifying spammers, among other uses. Free (requires VB Runtime files) from www.karenware.com/powertools/ptwhois.html.

WhoIs Viewer is a nifty utility for looking up IPs or domain names. Free from www.whoisview.com/common/products/whoisview/index.php.

Wildgrape NewsDesk 0.7 Another news reader joins the glut of news readers available for downloading. Free from www.wildgrape.net/.

Window Shades 2.0 is an Internet Explorer plug-in that filters pop-up windows on an all or nothing basis or by user defined site lists. You can filter all popup-windows or based on domain name. Free from www.g-m-m.com/Software/WindowShades/index.php.

Window Washer 5 is a cookie management utility that also takes care of cache and history cleaning. The light, $15 version only supports a particular browser, while the $40 version supports all major browsers and "picks up" after other programs as well -- a nice little addition. The new version adds a favorites management tool. Find out more from www.webroot.com/.

WinGate 5.0 lets multiple network users share a single Internet connection -- whether that connection is dial-up, ISDN, DSL, cable modem, satellite or a dedicated Internet connection. $40 from www.wingate.com/.

WinGet 1.0 is a small, simple download accelerator that speeds up your download time by splitting the file into multiple threads while downloading, thereby maximizing the potential of your Internet connection. The program can integrate with popular browsers and automatically take over the download for selected file types. It lacks some advanced features and does not (yet) support cookies or authentication, so you could run into problems with some sites. Free from www.nicksoft.com/.

WinHTTrack Website Copier 3.21-2 lets you copy or mirror entire Web sites. Not the glossiest program out there, but quite useful, and it's hard to argue with free. Find out more at www.httrack.com/index.php.

WINIPCFG.EXE for Windows NT/2K/XP gives NT/2K/XP users a utility identical to the old WINIPCFG utility in the 9x versions. It gives you information about your IP configuration, identifying your IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway for each of your network interfaces, including the interface for your network adapter, your Dial-Up Networking interface, and your PPTP interface. Free from microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/tools/existing/wntipcfg-o.asp.

Winnow Cleaner 3.0 is a complete Internet clean-up utility that clears the tracks left from Web browsing. The new version also lets you clear auto-complete forms of previously typed user names and passwords as well as clear the address bar from previously typed URLs. $29 from www.winnowsoft.com/.

WinSwitch 1.01 is a simple Web search tool that uses text copied to the clipboard, and opens the search results that are returned for the keyword(s) when you click on the tray icon. It currently supports Google, MSN, and Yahoo!. Free from www.winswitch.com/pages/1/index.htm.

Worldlingo 1.0 is an MSIE 5 add-on that translates English documents into any of several major languages, and vice versa. No word on how accurate the translations are, but at least it's free...chequez it out at www.worldlingo.com/.

WWW Address Finder 1.1 lets you find companies' Web addresses. $10 from www.cyberhighway.net/~scottm/.

X-Portal, an MSIE-only utility, integrates a 22-volume reference library into the resources usually used by Web searches. It uses natural-language protocols to handle questions typed into its search field, and uses both the reference library and Internet resources to handle your question. $40 from www.kcsl.ca/.

xCap2 Caption Changer 2.120 lets you change your browser (or any other) windows captions to your preference. You can also configure a window to impact the caption based on its windows status, which could be centered, blank, or normal. Edit a bunch of settings by opening and editing the .ini file. The program works from the system tray, or you can turn that off and operate it with a command-line switch. Notes say that it works with Win95, but read the Web site notes for more information. Free from methodik.pixelarmy.org/projects.shtml.

XenoBar 1.15d hooks into your MSIE toolbar and gives you the opportunity to block pop-up ads, mouseover messages, and more. $25 to keep from www.s-studio.net/xenobar/.

Xenu's Link Sleuth v1.2b is a spidering software that checks Web sites for broken links. Link verification is done on 'normal' links, images, frames, plug-ins, backgrounds, local image maps, style sheets, scripts, and Java applets. Free from home.snafu.de/tilman/xenulink.html.

Xnews v03.08.28 is a free newsreader for Usenet users. Get more info from xnews.3dnews.net/.

XploiterStatPro 2.6.1.63 shows all network connections to your PC by querying your TCP/UDP and ICMP connections, as well as identifying possible Trojan horse programs. $30 from xploiter.com/.

Xupiter, from www.xupiter.com/, is a toolbar that may install itself into IE without your permission, if your security settings are too low. It appears to come bundled with some software or may be force-downloaded with some ads. There are actually two problems here: Xupiter itself, and the other is that people infected with Xupiter (or similar software) have had items installed on their systems without their knowledge or permission. To get rid of Xupiter, download and use Ad-aware.

Yahoo! Companion lets you integrate your Yahoo! portal page with MSIE or Netscape. Only Yahoo! users will want this utility, but they may well find it useful. Free from www.companionyahoo.com/.

Yenc32 0.0.3 Beta is a Win32 implementation of the yEnc binary encoding system, which is primarily used in Usenet newsgroup posts. It supports basic file yEncoding / yDecoding, with a friendly, easy-to-use interface. Free from www.yenc32.com/.

Yodlee is a highly customizable portal that offers one-stop access to all of your personal online accounts, e-mail, newsletters, what have you. Free from www.yodlee.com/.

Yonc 1.12 assists you with internet connections. It allows you to dial with a single mouse click and to redial if your ISP's lines are busy or if your connection gets terminated. It also graphically displays the line performance, monitors a wealth of other information about your internet connection, and lets you can check multiple email accounts while online. $15 from www.emtec.com/yonc/index.html.

Zapper is a free download from zapper.com/ that adds context-sensitive search capabilities to Windows. After you install the program, you can point at any word or phrase on your Windows display, hold down the Ctrl key, right-click the mouse, and soon see a list of sites related to that word or phrase. If one of the results seems promising, you can choose it from the Zapper window and it will then open in a new browser window. All of this works during any Windows application, with any site on your browser display. You don't have to switch to a special search engine site to find things.

Zatso isn't a program, it's a browser plugin that allows you to watch snippets of broadcast TV over your browser through RealVideo. Currently Zatso, formerly ReacTV, offers clips from the Weather Channel, Court TV, and lots of news channels. What, no Emeril? Check their offerings out (free, I believe) from www.zatso.com/.

Zero Trace 1 is a system cleaner which removes traces of Web movements by deleting IE cookies and history, clearing the recent documents list, Media Player history, IE cache, Start Run menu, and emptying the Recycle Bin. Free from prem-01.portlandpremium.co.uk/p1-28/index.html.

Zeroclick 1.0 lets you block or unblock Doubleclick ads and cookies. Only works with the standard Microsoft Winsock Dial-Up utility; AOL, Trumpet Winsock, and Twinsock users are out of luck. Free from hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=0015VD.

ZFind Popup Stopper 1.0 is a popup ad blocker add-on for Internet Explorer which blocks ads that popup automatically, but still allows popup windows when a link is clicked on or when "Open in New Window" is selected. Free from www.zfind.net/popup.html.

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