Belarc Tool for Checking Your Desktop

A useful tool for checking the security of your desktop is Belarc. Unlike Shields Up, another fine product from Gibson Research, Belarc is a download that must be installed on the desktop.

Other scanning tools, like Shields Up, remotely scan your machine without having to download anything.

Some of these tools are Firewall Leak Tester and DShield. For checking browser security, go to Scanit, which also remotely tests your browser's security. Be prepared for lots of pop ups, since that one of things it tests for.