Downloading freeware is not as simple as it used to be. These days, you may encounter viruses and malicious software in the most unlikely place – in the exe file you download or even the image you view on your browser. It is best to always be aware and protect yourself from these.
Download your freeware only from secured sites.
The first thing to be aware of when downloading freeware is where you download from. The sites you select should be secured and not be known for spreading viruses and malware across the Internet.
Check the security warning or privacy agreement before downloading.
Likewise, when downloading freeware, you are prompted by your local virus software for any security breaches within your system. Heed to this warning and stop downloading if things become suspicious. Do not let your freeware install any other software into your computer. Check the privacy agreement also, which usually pops up before actual installation. Know what you are “signing into” when you use these freeware.
Look for user ratings and review when downloading free software.
It is important to note the user feedback when it comes to downloading freeware. If you are about to download anything malicious, a user or two will make it a point to warn others via the comment spaces allotted in many free download pages.
