TechnoGranny Show, 7/22/13 Twenty Things You Should Know Before Downloading Free Software.
Listen to the Show Here
Is
downloading free software safe? You get a pop up on your computer that says,
"Safe Software to Store Your Passwords, " No, you idiot, it's
probably not. Beware before you click, you may just be inviting a wolf into
your home, computer, records. ..........Answers to questions like What is
freeware?........Where can I find freeware?.........Suggestions for safe places
and curated lists to find and review software that can be helpful and tips for
safe downloading.
How easy is it to fall
victim to a scam on the internet? The
correct response is, too easy. Most of us are probably aware of the hazards
which could accompany opening a suspicious email. Now we need to be mindful of downloading
software that could potentially damage our computer, sabotage personal files or
rob us of our identity. This segment's subject
delves into the lure of free software, or freeware, as it is often called.
What
is freeware and how can you avoid putting your computer into harm’s way?
Techno Granny will
guide you through the topic of free software and unveil the truth behind
downloading programs that are often promoted to help when in reality they
perform the exact opposite. Hopefully,
with the research and advice of Techno Granny, we all will be more thoughtful
before falling prey to the lure of ‘free’ software.
Is
Downloading Free Software Safe?
In her article, Is
downloading free software safe, http://computer.howstuffworks.com/downloading-free-computer-software-safe.htm
published on How
Stuff Works, Kate Kershner simplifies the matter of
using free software; if it comes from a
reputable source, such as Microsoft,
and your are searching for the programs on their direct site it is probably safe.
Downloading a pop-up or an advertisement from a little known company with an
unfamiliar program may not be a wise choice. No matter how alluring the ‘free’
portion of the deal may sound, Kershner advises doing an internet search of the
company offering the system before downloading or installing any software. You can read the full article here http://computer.howstuffworks.com/downloading-free-computer-software-safe.htm
Why Free Software
Downloads Aren’t Always Safe.
Norton is a company whose name
is synonymous with privacy, anti- theft and antivirus. They
span a significant corner of the internet security market for PC’s, MACs and
mobile devices. The official Norton site, offers consumers insight into
managing the market of freeware. On the Your Security Resource page, general questions
about freeware are answered by expert Elizabeth Wasserman. The first question:
What
is freeware?
The answer, “freeware
is software that you install on your computer knowingly or not”. One popular example of freeware is games and
may also be referred to by the phrase widget.
Freeware can come from
The
second question: Where can I find freeware?
Wasserman’s answer
encompasses safe downloads as well as those we should be guarded against. Well-known
companies, shareware makers and widgets alike all offer freeware, therefore weeding
out trustworthy and verifiable sources may seem like a daunting task. Rest assured, there are some simple tactics
which can be applied to your investigation before downloading iffy applications. Most notably, well- known companies will
often require consumers agree to a licensing agreement upon installation.
Corporations such as Microsoft and Adobe Acrobat are household names in this
arena. In addition, searching for a
company through the Association of Software Professionals is another good source
for gauging the legitimacy of a company.
http://asp-software.org/www/
The
third question what are the risks of freeware?
The response is severe. Some free software can have spyware or
malicious adware attached to the code.
If this is the case, viruses, worms and other detrimental file
management systems can become inserted into your computer wreaking havoc on
your files, and putting you at risk of identity theft.
The last and most
important question, how can I protect myself from risky freeware?
The
answer outlines 4 essential steps anyone can easily take to ensure their
computers protection.
1.
Step one, do your homework. In other words, before downloading take a few
extra minutes to do a Google search of the program. Alternatively, visit a software site like
CNET or ZDNET to read freeware reviews.
3.
Step three, always keep security
programs up to date. This may seems like
a no brainer but complementary to running an antivirus program is the
recommendation to patch any holes in current software. Malicious software may
make use of outdated programs, so keeping abreast to any updates and new
versions as they are released is helpful.
4.
Step four, be wary of social network
freeware. Many social media sites offer
applications, free from cost, downloadable directly from the site onto a
computer or other device. Despite the
popularity of these widgets, they cannot always be verified. Furthermore, social networks are quick to
renounce any responsibility related to the security and safety of these
applications. Knowing this alone should be a red flag.
It can’t be said enough, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Some software companies test their software for bugs while others are simply trying to trick you into allowing them to place a virus or spyware on your device. Read the complete Norton article Here
For your protection and the defense of your computer and your files stored on it, please take advantage of ZDNet, the web’s largest library of software downloads. This site has complied lists of software for Windows, Mac, and mobile systems. Searches can be conducted by price, category or most popular downloads. ZDNet offers a basic description of the program such as Avast Free Antivirus 2014, AVG Antivirus Free 2014, Java Runtime Environment and also provides a link viewers can use to access the program right from their site. ZDNet is a strong safety net for consumers. View their home page here
Cnet.com
is another reliable site which offers freeware resources such as software and
app reviews, news, how to’s and downloads for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. Covering a vast array of electronic and
computerized devices any person would find helpful, including but not limited
to appliances, car tech and cameras in addition to the expected laptops, mobile
devices and PC’s. This site is an
invaluable resource for today’s consumer. You can access their site here http://www.cnet.com/. Windows users may find http://www.filehippo.com/
helpful. Filehippo contains a directory
of downloads including freeware, shareware and software. Aside from software downloads from trusted sites, Filehippo offers their
own software called FileHippo Update
Checker. This is a cost- free program that scans your computer then generates a
report listing any out of date software.
The report suggests the installation of the most current versions,
including links to the appropriate sites. Commonly available on Filehippo are
browser and plugin software, anti- malware, audio and video, file sharing,
firewall and security, messaging and chat and system tuning programs. Connect
with the valuable resources available through Filehippo here http://www.filehippo.com/.
If you
are feeling concerned about how to safely navigate the freeware circuit, Chris
Hoffman offers some good advice in his article, How To Do Your Research Before You Download Free Software. In a nutshell, research
first, download later. The type of
device you have will also dictate where you seek out security information needed
for reassurance purposes. Hoffman offers
7 tips for guiding Windows users toward a safe download experience.
·
Find a curated list of
the best free software available for download.
Hoffman directs consumers to his site, http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/the-best-of. Here individuals can
take advantage of research that has already been gathered.
·
Make sure you trust the
developer. A company like Microsoft or
Google is well known and safe but if the company is lesser known, it would be
best to visit a site like http://www.Cnet.com/ and
research the program and company before putting your computer at risk for a
potentially harmful download.
·
Only download from a
trusted site. Many third- party sites
like Cnet give consumers an opportunity to download directly from their
page. These sites are typically safer to
use because they are monitored for security flaws. Try to steer clear from
downloading from someone’s personal site because there are no telltale signs
they are safe.
·
Read reviews. To increase your chances of finding an
unbiased review begin with a Google search using the program name. Social networks are another good source for
reviews.
·
Use an antivirus. It doesn’t matter how careful you are, an
antivirus will offer your computer another layer of protection. Many of the
antivirus programs available can be downloaded for free. This is a prime example of freeware. There are many well-known corporations that
offer free, or free on trial basis, antivirus software. Just be sure the name is one you can trust
or that you have researched the company before downloading or installing software.
·
Install an app in a
sandbox. This is typically something
more experienced tech users are accustomed to.
The process would require Sandboxie to run a
questionable program in a sandbox. This
would allow the program to be tried in an isolated area of your computer where
it cannot do damage to the rest of your system. A knowledgeable computer user
may also be acquainted with virtual machines which
would allow you to test the program in the same manner.
·
Pay attention during
the installation process. Despite the
legitimacy of many freeware programs, even the trusted sites will include
software you do not want, such as adware or default search engine changes. Java
and Adobe are notorious for this, so it is critical that you pay attention
during the install so you can decline any unwanted additions to the software as
they occur.
You can read the complete article here
What are some of the ways you
research freeware? What do you look for
to ensure it won’t mess up your
computer?
We are always looking for comments and tips to share.
Imperatives for safe download.
1.
Use common sense. Be suspicious of flashy ad or popup windows
that contain unsolicited invitations to download, or that stress an urgent need
for you to download immediately.
2.
Never download a file unless you know
and trust the source.
3.
Do not download a file from BitTorrent
or any other file sharing program; ever.
4.
Google the product you are considering
downloading.
5.
Always read the program description before
installing. This will allow you to
verify its’ compatibility with your computer.
6.
Always backup your files before you
install any new software.
7.
Although scanning programs for viruses,
worms, malware and the like is never a guarantee, it can’t hurt. Any extra steps applied to ensure the safety
of your files and hardware is a good idea.
Safe
places to download software from.
Further
Research has led us to uncover
Site Advisor,
a service browser plug- in from one of the most trusted names in online
security, McAfee. This free software
adds safety ratings to web sites and offers a secure search box. In addition, I have prepared an inventory of major
download sources which have received the
Techno Granny ‘seal of approval’. Often their ratings are provided by the
supplier so comparing a few different sites is advised. The list includes Tucows, MajorGeeks.com,
WebAttack,
NoNags,
Pricelessware,
WinPlanet,
ZDNetDownloads
and CNET. Also I will offer a plug for our very own
community based Gizmo. Gizmo selects the best of the best freeware options
and displays them for your use. I have
taken the liberty of generating some special search engines available. Please take advantage of the work I have done
to find the specific type of programs you are seeking.
Microsoft’s Free
Download Center provides links to over 5,000 programs,
including games. Furthermore, The Ultimate
List
of Windows Software from Microsoft may make finding what you are looking for a
little simpler.
Listen to the Show Here
Techno Granny Show Hosted By:
Joanne Quinn-Smith is the Creative Energy Officer of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and an expert on Web 2.0 Branding, 2009 National SBA Small Business Journalist of the Year, Author "Folly of Marketing Plan in Your Head, 101 Compelling Reasons to Write One." Available at:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DHKVJOG
This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:
© Joanne Quinn-Smith, Techno Granny Show™ 2014 All rights reserved.
Dreamweaver Marketing Associates | (412) 444-5197
Listen at: http://tinyurl.com/TechnoGrannyShow OR on its unique radio channel at: http://tinyurl.com/pospittlivemag
Additional blog posts at: http://technogrannyshow.com
This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:
© Joanne Quinn-Smith, Techno Granny Show™ 2014 All rights reserved.
Dreamweaver Marketing Associates | (412) 444-5197
Listen at: http://tinyurl.com/TechnoGrannyShow OR on its unique radio channel at: http://tinyurl.com/pospittlivemag
Additional blog posts at: http://technogrannyshow.com
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