Can Freeware have Spyware?
It costs nothing to download a freeware and hence it is downloaded by a number of people. Freeware is like any other software that can be downloaded from internet, but free. Every freeware is some kind of a utility providing some specific functionality to the user. It is not a rocket science to install the freeware. Simple read me files and user friendly installation wizards make it very easy to install them.
There is another side to the story as well. If you are not careful about the authenticity and credibility of the freeware, it could download Spyware with it. There is nothing worse to having a Spyware on your computer. A Spyware can leak all your important information to the web. It is therefore recommended that you take good amount of care before downloading and installing any available freeware. Below are listed some of the very good tips to stay away from this dangerous software.
If the freeware manufacturing company is reputed and reliable, you could safely download it free of Spyware. You must therefore do a serious research about the company. Check out the previous track record and market image of the company. A good company with good market image is certain to develop reliable and authentic freeware.
You must do a rigorous research on the freeware product that you look to download. Many people must have shared their experiences on forums, blogs and other communities, about this freeware. This information would give you a lot of idea about the credibility and performance of the freeware. You must collect a lot of information and not get carried away by just one positive review. Only once you are satisfied with the review should you download it.
One of the finest ways to check the credibility of the freeware is to check if it is listed on any of the reputed software download websites. No reputed website would list a freeware that contains any Spyware Removal. Once you have assured that the freeware is listed in the list, you can download and install it. However, in case you do not find it listed on any of the reputed websites, you must not download it until you have verified it further.
Terms and conditions page gives you a lot of idea about the credibility of the company. These pages can however not be taken for granted. Nevertheless, this page can give you a decent idea about the firmware and its manufacturer.
In case you have decided to download the freeware onto your computer, make sure that you have a reliable anti Spyware installed on your system. The anti Spyware program can come to your rescue, just in case you have downloaded Spyware. You also need to make sure that you have a latest copy of anti Spyware installed. You could also install updates for your Spyware. An older version may not be able to identify a new Spyware.
So, is it worthy to install a freeware? It certainly is. However, you need to be smart enough while validating a freeware for its credibility. It needs you to do a rigorous research and be 100% assured about the freeware before clicking the download link.
