Downloading most free software and some paid software

[TrukinDave]

Alot of users dont realize that when you download free software its loaded 80% of the time with adware, spyware, malware, Virus's, trojans, tracking software, and whatever they can stick in there..


Most adware and spyware is listed in the user agreement when you download the software, most places tell you that they have adware or spyware imbedded in the software.

Then there is the ones that dont say anything at all and just load it down with everything..

Lots of gotcha goodies just waiting to be unleashed in freeware, shareware, Free programs, And in some cases software you paid for..

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Incoherent babblings go here.

- M4H

 

[DaveSimmons]

Mostly only true for P2P theftware and for freeware software that advertises itself to you in popup ads.

Not true at all for many popular freeware applications like EAC, CDex, dbPoweAmp, AntiVir, GIMP, Irfanview, BootDisk.com diskettes, DVDShrink, on and on.

Not true at all for most shareware.

 

[Malak]

Originally posted by: TrukinDave

Alot of users dont realize that when you download free software its loaded 80% of the time with adware, spyware, malware, Virus's, trojans, tracking software, and whatever they can stick in there..


Most adware and spyware is listed in the user agreement when you download the software, most places tell you that they have adware or spyware imbedded in the software.

Then there is the ones that dont say anything at all and just load it down with everything..

Lots of gotcha goodies just waiting to be unleashed in freeware, shareware, Free programs, And in some cases software you paid for..

None of mine has adware or spyware, maybe you just download the wrong stuff.

 

[semo]

crapware-free free software: openoffice, firefox...
just off the top of my head

 

[bersl2]

Originally posted by: semo
crapware-free free software: openoffice, firefox...
just off the top of my head

In other words: Free/open source software. Come on, say it. You know it's true.

 

[KoolDrew]

You cna download a lot of open source software here that does not contain spyware
http://sourceforge.net/

 

[ProviaFan]

If you truly believe that 80% number, or at least think that you're in the ballpark, then you're so totally wrong that it hurts.

P2P software has good uses, too, and it's pretty much just the mainstream stuff that's stuffed with adware / malware. Open source P2P is safe in that respect (but no "safer" than any other P2P if you're using it illegally).

 

[alm4rr]

sourceforge.net

$ free and spyware free

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: alm4rr
sourceforge.net

$ free and spyware free

I beat you

 

[alm4rr]

hehe

 

[gsellis]

Thanks Trukindave. You are getting the response you are because most of the folks on these forums (forii?) are well aware of the potential pitfalls of downloads on the internet. It is like restating the obvious to folks that are technical users (this is not an AOL forum.) PSA threads usually do not go off very well. This thread is proof positive.