ore and more people are people, downloading software from
learning about the awesome the Internet is a scary idea.
resource on the Internet
known as freeware. Freeware is How does the average,
the shorthand term used to non-technical person know what is
describe free software. Yes, safe and what isn't? If you do a
freeware is an amazing resource search on Google for the term
and I have been an enthusiastic freeware, more than 170 million
user and promoter since I learned pages are returned. The problem
about it years ago. is that if you just start
downloading software that looks
What I found interesting, though, good, you can get yourself into a
were the number of people I spoke lot of trouble.
to about freeware who said that
they would never use it because Yes, freeware can contain
they heard that free software spyware, adware, trojans, back
contains viruses. My first doors, key loggers, bots or
thought was that this was just viruses. So, you should be
not a true statement. I have been concerned. However, even though
using freeware for years and have we know that anytime we drive our
never been infected. car we run the risk of an
accident, this concern does not
However, after giving the idea keep us from driving. It just
more thought, I realized that means that we must be aware of
such a concern is not without the threats and know how to avoid
merit. Because I've been online them.
since the time of the old BBS
systems, I've learned whom I can So how do we know how to avoid
trust and whom I need to stay dangerous software? We can try
away from. But to a lot of freeware websites, but some sites
will list any and all freeware just don't know what they are
that they can find just so they doing and even though their own
can say that they have the ignorance may be at fault, they
largest collection. Some sites are quick to blame the software.
list only a subset of freeware by
sticking to the popular versions. The second source of information
But popular does not always mean is websites that test a wide
the best and this still does not range of software themselves
guarantee safety. before posting and sharing it
with the world. You would think
If you want to be a smart that everyone posting software
downloader, I have found that would do this. But as stated
there is no substitution for earlier, most are concerned with
old-fashioned research. There are quantity of software and not
two sources you need to find to quality. So how do you find a
gather enough information to be website that you can trust? Part
an informed consumer of freeware. of it is just knowing the history
The first source is message and the background of the
boards -- also known as forums or different websites and this,
news groups. again, is learned via research.
Message boards are a great place Because of my passion for
to learn about people's freeware, I have tested hundreds
experience with a particular of programs over the years. I
piece of software. Believe me then started listing only the
when I say that if someone is best freeware on my website for
unhappy, they will eagerly let friends and family to use. When
everyone know about it. But be you are ready to begin your
sure not to read only one or two research I encourage you to
people's experiences. Some people browse my website vbmark.com by
clicking on the link in my bio or There is a lot of great freeware
"About the Author" section at the out there but you need to be a
bottom of this article. At least smart downloader. Do your
be sure to bookmark the site for research.
future research.
About the Author:
Calvin Kuefer is a part time writer, full time Internet enthusiast and finds the best freeware at http://www.vbmark.com
Read more articles by:
Calvin Kuefer
Article Source: www.iSnare.com
