Free Software

A note of caution: A great deal of apparently 'free' software is available for download on the Internet, but please consider first why you are being offered this type of software before deciding to proceed with its installation! In many cases, the 'free' download will result in you unwittingly installing 'Malware' (malicious software that might include advertising programs, network worms, filesharing services that use your computer to host illegal material etc). You should think very carefully before installing any software (particularly that offers 'free' music) for this reason.

Recommended Downloads:These free and open source programs are widely used and trusted and are unlikely to be infected with spyware or viruses.

	Windows	Mac	Linux
Sophos, the University have a site licence, so it is free to use on students' personally owned computers. Click on "Sophos Anti-virus" then choose your operating system.
Microsoft Security Essentials Free antivirus for Windows XP and later
OpenOffice Open Office provides most of the functionality of MS Office, including file compatibility. Open Office can also be used to create PDF files. It is open-source (the application's source code is also available for download) and free for personal use.
Firefox A free and open source browser (alternative to Internet Explorer).
GIMP - Free and open source Image Manipulation (alternative to Photoshop).
Notepad ++ Free HTML (web page) editor.
NVU - Free and open source HTML (web page) editor.
CD Burner XP Pro - A freeware CD burning package.
Pidgin - an instant messaging (IM) client. It is compatible with most of the popular instant messaging protocols.
Audacity - an open source audio editing
Stuffit Expander - Freeware decompression for Mac & Windows
7-Zip - open source decompression for Windows (LZH, GZIP, TAR etc)