How to Safely Download Files

Getting Great Software Without the Risk

Downloading files from the Internet can be a dangerous activity. Viruses, Adware and Spyware can be included in these files making it one of the easiest ways to infect your computer with harmful software.

Sometimes computer users can be tricked into downloading software that can compromise their security or harm their computer by using fake or misleading links.

There are a number of things you can do to help minimize the risk of having your computer infected with harmful or annoying software.The 5 Major Types of Downloadable Software

1. Commercial

Commercial software available online is generally the same software you could buy off the shelf at a software or office supply store. The cost of commercially available software online is usually comparable to boxed software.

2. Freeware

Freeware is software that is offered completely free of charge. An example of freeware is the popular software "Skype". Freeware is usually only free in that it is free to use. The owner of the software still maintains the rights to the software.

3. Open Source Software

Open source software differs from freeware in that the software is not only free to use but also free to modify or to build upon. Open source software is common when using the Linux operating system.

4. Shareware

Shareware programs are usually offered to give the user an opportunity to try a program before buying it.

Shareware usually has parts of the program that are disabled or may have a limited time that it may be used. The user can purchase a software key to unlock the disabled portions of the program or extend the usage period.

Shareware gets its name because authors encourage users to give the software to friends, family and acquaintances.

5. Demo Software

Demo software is very similar to shareware. Demo software is usually a less functional version of the fully licensed software. Demo software is offered as an alternative to Shareware to help prevent piracy by those who would use stolen keys or use key generators to unlock the program.Methods of Downloading Software

There are several methods to download software. Here are a few of them:Email Attachments

Sending files via email is fast and easy. Watch out for attachments from emails that come from an unknown sender.Peer-to-Peer Torrents

Torrents work by uploading pieces of files or programs to many different computers or peers. The user downloading a file using peer-to-peer software also shares files to other computers or peers.

Due to the nature of the software, allowing downloads and uploads to your computer, peer-to-peer file sharing can be risky. The following is a list of some of the more popular Peer-to-Peer software:

?Torrent

BitTorrent

The Pirate Bay Proxy Tool

BearShare

Ares

Tribler

LimeWire

FrostWire

SopCast

qBittorrentPirate Sites

Pirate sites are locations where you can get copies of your favorite software, music or movies. Many of the downloads offered from pirate sites are illegal due to copyright violations.

"The Pirate Bay" is a well known alleged pirate site that remains extremely popular even though it's founders received criminal convictions for promoting the copyright infringement of others.

In 2012 The Pirate Bay changed its domain name from thepiratebay.org to thepiratebay.se due to the Supreme Courts of Sweden's refusal to hear an appeal on the case.

As of January 16, 2013, Alexa ranked "The Pirate Bay" the 64th most popular site in the United States as far as traffic, right between Hulu and the United States Postal Service!

Indeed, The Pirate Bay is so popular it even out ranks these popular websites; Reddit, Blogger.com, AT&T, NFL.COM, Go Daddy, Washington Post, Verizon Wireless, FedEx, deviantART, Sears, NewEgg.com, Macy's, American Express, Dictionary.com, USA Today, Kohl's, Photobucket, ABCNews.com, Dailymotion, FOX Sports, JCPenney, Barnes and Noble, Vimeo, YELLOWPAGES.com, Los Angeles Times, Myspace, WebMD, Expedia.com, WordPress.org, Squidoo, Stumbled Upon, HootSuite, CBS News, and yes even HubPages.com.

Using software from pirate websites not only puts you at risk for Viruses or malware, you can also be at risk of legal prosecution for copyright violations.Software Sharing Websites

There are hundreds of websites that you can legally download software.

If you choose to download files from these sites be sure that it is a reliable and reputable website.

Below is a list of some of the websites that offer software for download.Places to Safely Download Files

Download.com

Tucows.com

FileHippo.com

Softpedia.com

MajorGeeks.com

Free Download Center

Nonags

100-downloads.com

FreewareFiles.com

Freeware Home

Brothersoft

Softonic

SnapFiles

ZD Net

Top Freeware

A+ Freeware

FileForumUnwanted Popups and Browser Tool Bars

As with any type of file download, use extreme caution even it you are downloading from a trusted site.

Read the reviews that are given by others that have already downloaded and installed the software.

Watch for small boxes during the install process that ask for your approval to install additional software such as browser toolbars.

These boxes are often checked by default and if you just quickly go through the install process you will likely miss the opportunity to uncheck the boxes and end up with unwanted software added to your computer.Avoid Fake or Misleading Download Links

When downloading software, watch out for advertisements that are designed to look like the download link. Below is an example of what it looks like after you click to download Avast Free Antivirus.Circled in red in the image above are the links that are NOT used to download Avast.

As you can see from the screen, it is easy to get confused and accidentally download software that you don't want to install.Measuring the Risk of the File Download

The number one thing to remember when downloading files is to use common sense!

Some files are more risky to download than others. What kind of file are you downloading.

Is it a popular browser or is it a proprietary codec for a pornographic video file. The codec for a pornographic video file is highly likely to have some sort of malware included.

Where is the file being downloaded from? If your file is coming from a reputable source its unlikely to contain a virus. Know the company you are getting your software from and stay away from sites that are unknown or superficial.

Research the file on the internet. Chances are your not the only person to ever download the file. Do a search in Google or another search engine to find out if others have had a bad experience after installing the file.

If you get your software from a reputable site like download.com, you will probably have access to reviews made by other users. Study the reviews carefully so you know what to expect when you install the software.

Look at the file size. If the file is way too small or too large for the type of program you are downloading there is likely something wrong with the file.

Use extreme caution when downloading executable files such as exe files. Only download these files from reliable sources.

Use a virus checker for all downloads. Although executable files are the most likely files to contain malware, check all files that you download. Even image and video files can potentially harm your computer.Watch Out for Fake Virus Warnings

When surfing the Internet watch out for popups that look like they are scanning your computer for a virus and then warn you that your computer is infected.

Many of these popups are very real looking and are intended to mislead you into thinking that your computer has been infected.

These popups usually have a link that says its for you to remove the virus when in fact clicking on the link and installing the software actually installs malware on your computer.

Once the malware is installed it will tell you that you need to pay to get the so called antivirus to remove the malware it says is on your computer.

The reality is that often the only malware that is on your computer is the software telling you that you have malware.

These type of popups prey on your fears. Use caution to make sure you don't get fooled into installing unwanted malware.

You may get a Warning telling you that windows has detected several viruses or spyware on your computer and get prompted to click a button to fix the problem.

This is a common way for a virus to actually get on your computer.

The technique is what is called a spoof or phishing. Spoofs are used to try to trick you into doing something that you wouldn't normally do such as accidentally giving out your bank account login information or install a virus on your computer.

Some spoofs are quite convincing and are usually designed to create panic so that you act on it before thinking too much about it.

Many spoofs come to you in emails telling you that your back account or something else has been compromised and that you need to login and change your password by clicking on a link. When you click on the link it sends you to a site that looks like your bank and asks you to log in and change your password. In reality what you are doing is giving someone access to your bank account by giving them your username and password.

In the same way, popups are used to get someone to click on a link and install software on their computer that you would not normally install. Many times you don't any ill affects from the installation so the user never knows that information is being collected from their computer. Banking, shopping, emails can all be tracked using a keystroke logging tool that records everything you do on your computer and sends it to the unknown party tracking your computer.

These popups can be quite convincing however they are very noticeable to those who are using a Mac or Linux computer and they get a warning that "Windows" has detected a virus.Always Use a Good Antivirus Program to Check the Download

All files you get from any source should be checked with an antivirus program prior to running the file.

The following are some good antivirus programs that you can purchase to help protect your computer. There are even some free versions offered for personal use.Norton Antivirus

AVG AntiVirus (free version)

BitDefender Antivirus Plus

Avast Free AntivirusGetting an Old Version of Your Favorite Programs

As a final note, for those who are looking for older versions of their favorite programs you can find them at OldVersion.com.