Free Software: How Not To Get More Than You Bargained For!

I completed an experiment recently. I wanted to find out exactly what software I could get free on the Internet. My main focus was for software to include utilities and useful home business applications.

I completed various searches for free software and related keywords on the leading search engines.

What I found were thousands of web sites, proclaiming for you to be able to download software for free. Or at least a "try before you buy" basis.

What I found was stunning.

It seems once I downloaded a few of these free programs, my focus quickly changed from what I could get free to "How do I rid myself of the new problems that came with those free programs."

WELCOME TO THE SPYWARE AGE!

Once I downloaded some of these free programs. I noticed strange things happening to my computer. Pop-up windows were appearing out of nowhere. My browser was running slower than usual. And applications seemed to open and close a little slower than usual.

Now when I would go to google to do a simple search, a popup window appeared advertising free minutes when I switch to Verizon Mobile.

WERE THESE SCUMWARE SITES?

Keep in mind that most of these places that I went to download free software programs were reputable, relatively safe places on the Internet. I say "safe" because they were not your typical borderline porn site or trashy site. You know, the kind of site where you would expect to be punished for visiting. A site where it's obvious that your computer will be inundated with spyware or a virus. Well, you get the picture.

I WAS A VICTIM

Even though I was careful about what I downloaded, I still got burned.

I tried to only visit what looked like safe, reputable sites. I only downloaded programs that had legitimate reviews and a past user history. However, by the third free program that I downloaded, there were pop-up windows and programs automatically installing onto my computer. Some of them were from trashy sites.

This resulted in me having to spend several hours scouring the Internet for Adware and Spyware removal programs. I managed to download several free spyware programs. I installed them onto my computer, and ran them in safe mode.

When it was all said and done. I had spent four and a half hours using these spyware programs to scour my computer for spyware. It took me a half a day to finally rid myself of these pesky little programs.

The purpose of this article is to help you from making this same mistake. Please exercise caution when you go to sites and begin downloading free software.

Is the site reputable? Can you uninstall the program easily?

I would suggest deciding if you really need a program before you download freeware or free software. Not all of them threaten your "computer well-being." But many do.

It's kind of sad to have to think in those terms. However, in this day and age one can never be too careful.

About The Author:
William Riopelle is an online computer consultant. His popular e-course provides a lot more information on free software resources: => http://www.freesoftwarecenter.com

experienced cleaning professionals Northbrook ..
In The News:

Cybersecurity experts warn about one of the largest credential compilations ever found, urging users to check "Have I Been Pwned" and change passwords immediately.
Quick iPhone and Android battery optimization techniques help your device stay powered all day by turning off hidden features that secretly drain power in the background.
Kodiak Driver autonomous truck achieves perfect 98 safety score, matching top human fleets in groundbreaking AI evaluation by Nauto's VERA system.
New 401k catch-up contribution rules in 2026 will change taxes for high earners over 50. Learn how scammers exploit these changes and protect your retirement savings.
Kurt Knutsson's guide covers social media privacy protection through location settings, account privacy controls and two-factor authentication to prevent scams and data breaches.
Revolutionary retinal implant restores central vision in 80% of patients with advanced macular degeneration, offering hope where treatments once only slowed blindness.
Learn how to use passkeys on Windows and Mac computers without cameras or fingerprint readers. Discover secure authentication methods that replace passwords.
Tesla's FSD v14.1.2 update reintroduces Mad Max mode, enabling higher speeds and more frequent lane changes than the standard Hurry profile setting.
A phishing email scam targeting American Express customers shows how cybercriminals use fake urgent messages to steal personal and financial information.
Facebook's new Meta AI feature analyzes your camera roll photos to create polished collages automatically, but requires cloud processing and raises privacy concerns.
A New Jersey teenager filed a major lawsuit against AI/Robotics Venture Strategy 3 Ltd. over ClothOff, an AI tool that created fake nude images from her social media photos.
Microsoft reports Storm-2657 cybercriminals sent phishing emails to 6,000 addresses at 25 universities to steal payroll credentials and redirect funds.
Astronomers have discovered asteroid 2025 SC79, a skyscraper-sized space rock orbiting the sun in just 128 days. the second-fastest known.
The Fox News AI Newsletter delivers the latest developments form the world of artificial intelligence, including the technology's challenges and opportunities.
A cyberattack on SimonMed Imaging exposed personal information of 1.2 million patients, including medical records, financial details and identity papers.
Spotify's managed accounts for kids under 13 now available in at least seven countries, allowing parents to filter and block explicit content and songs.
Friendly text conversations about BBQs and social events can lead to WEEX gold trading scams that target older adults with fake investment opportunities.
California company Skyeports creates self-healing glass spheres from Moon regolith that generate solar power and support plant growth for sustainable lunar living.
Cleafy researchers discover fake VPN streaming app Mobdro Pro that installs Klopatra banking Trojan, giving attackers full control over Android devices.
Police departments across the U.S. and Canada are adopting virtual reality training to better prepare officers for high-pressure, real-world situations.
House Bill 469 would prevent AI systems from owning property, serving as executives, or gaining legal personhood in Ohio under Representative Thaddeus Claggett's proposal.
Public voter records expose retirees' personal details to election scammers who create targeted cons using names, addresses, and voting history data.
Instead of fearing what comes next with artificial intelligence, think outside the box. Here are high-earning AI jobs that don't require a computer science degree.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says polite words like "please" and "thank you" cost millions annually, while direct prompts may improve ChatGPT accuracy by several points.
Chattee Chat and GiMe Chat exposed intimate conversations and photos, revealing users spent up to $18,000 on AI companions before the breach.

Microsoft Great Plains in Metal Distribution: Implementation & Customization ? Consultant Overview

Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains serves to the wide spectrum... Read More

How to Evaluate Staffing Software

If you are in the market for new staffing software,... Read More

What is Fleet Maintenance Software?

Simply put, fleet maintenance allows companies to monitor and maintain... Read More

Groupware and Online Collaboration: Collaboration Series #4

This article is the fourth of a series of articles... Read More

Windows Screensavers Explained

In this article you will find some background information about... Read More

MicroWorld Releases New Version of MailScan Ver. 4.5 - Antivirus and Content Security Software

MicroWorld Technologies, Inc. the leading solutions provider in the area... Read More

Selecting Microsoft Great Plains Partner/VAR/Reseller: ERP Implementation & Customization ? Overview

In the case when you represent mid-size or mid-size-to-large business,... Read More

Fast Car Knoppix

Small can be beautiful! Working with Knoppix for the past... Read More

Great Plains Dexterity: Customizations & Source Code Programming

Great Plains Software Dynamics, Dynamics C/S+, eEnterprise were written on... Read More

Off The Record - Tips For Picking Recording Software

Need software to record your voice, streaming audio or musical... Read More

Bridging the Gap between Paper and Data

The cornerstone of successful automated office systems is the ability... Read More

Great Plains Custom Development: Dexterity, VBA, SQL, Crystal, eConnect ? Overview For Programmer

Microsoft Great Plains is main Microsoft Business Solutions accounting package... Read More

The Top 5 Wrong Reasons For Not Hiring Testers

Considering whether or not your software company should hire a... Read More

How To Develop Software For Your Business

Software development is a risky business.Many software developers are barely... Read More

Linux Vs. Windows

This article will not attempt to advocate the use of... Read More

Microsoft Great Plains IV: Inventory Management

Great Plains Inventory Management (IV) module gives your business a... Read More

Keeping Track

One of the things we can be as certain of... Read More

Collaboration Software: Index of Collaboration Software Technologies

Collaboration SoftwareCollaboration Software, also known as group collaboration software or... Read More

Dont Choose Adobe When Working With PDF

While Adobe is the most known maker of PDF tools,... Read More

How to Make Attractive and Effective PowerPoint Presentations

Microsoft PowerPoint has dramatically changed the way in which academic... Read More

Microsoft Great Plains Customization Tools ? Overview

Former Great Plains Software Dynamics/eEnterprise, and currently Microsoft Business Solutions... Read More

Microsoft Great Plains Remote Support - Overview

Microsoft Great Plains is now standard mid-market ERP application, serving... Read More

An Introduction to .NET Framework

.Net Framework is a platform or development environment to seamlessly... Read More

What is Fleet Maintenance Management?

Fleet Maintenance Management is a critical position in any company... Read More

Groupware: Answers the 5 Questions of Document Collaboration

Every organization which creates collaborative documents, whether they are budgets,... Read More

best value cleaning service Northbrook ..