Downloader Beware
Some freebies are anything but.Michael Desmond
Anyone who has spent time hunting for utilities or shareware knows that the search can take you down a few dark alleys. While there are plenty of well-known and respected shareware sites, less savory sites also can get kicked up during a Google search. The question is, how do you know the online shareware you're downloading is safe?
In short, you don't. There are things you can do to protect yourself, but many times the bad guys are peddling spyware that masquerades as a useful utility. Case in point: the countless pop-up ads for antispyware software that link to downloads packed full of--that's right--spyware. You can't eliminate all the risk, but here are some tips for getting the tools you need.
1. Avoid the lures. Never, ever, click a pop-up link advertising antispyware software or other solutions. Many of these pop-ups lead to spyware-infested software that will quickly make a mess of your PC.
2. Search for utilities at known sites. My favorites include Download.com, Tucows, PC World Downloads, and MajorGeeks.com. Another favorite is Nonags, which specializes in freeware that contains no spyware, adware, or even nag screens. Better sites will scan their files for infection and provide information about any included spyware components.
3. Check the user ratings. Many sites include user review ratings and writeups. If you are considering downloading a tool, check the aggregate rating (with a critical eye on the number of responses). If it looks promising, read the reviews and be on the lookout for mentions of spyware.
4. Search for extra info. Have you discovered a program that you might want to download? Before you do, jot down the specific filename of the utility and do a bit of searching. Enter the utility name or executable file name, along with the word spyware or virus, into a Google or Yahoo search. You may turn up complaints or concerns about the software.
5. Check out technical boards. You can find valuable insight about freeware and shareware by visiting the software forums at computing-enthusiast sites. Message boards like those at ArsTechnica and Anandtech can be enormously useful. Just make sure you browse through the correct forums. In many cases, you will need to register if you want to use the boards' search functions.
6. Do the obvious. Of course you should always make a point to run up-to-date antivirus and antispyware programs. Once you download a file, make a point to manually scan it for viruses before you launch or uncompress it. Many antivirus packages integrate into your Windows context menus, so you may be able to simply right-click the file and select the Scan command on the context menu.