Be aware of the sources from which you are downloading software

[Knotical]

Recently I had to reinstall Chrome because something happened with it. Not sure exactly what, but uninstalling and reinstalling did the trick.

Anyway, in the process I discovered that there are apparently a myriad of different sites "offering" this download. The most important thing to understand when looking around online for software is to make sure you are getting it straight from the source.

I was a little lazy and thought the first result in my search would have brought up a legit source. Not so. I attempted to download the file and ended up getting a mess of spyware and malware along with it.

So, just to be clear, make sure you are getting your software from the source, or from another trusted place. And, don't just go with the first result in a google search, as you will regret it later.

Thankfully, I have a really good security software and got things cleaned up rather quickly. But these kinds of things can seriously screw up your computer if you are not careful.

 

[Milk-Drops]

I was talking to my cousin the other day and he asked me to jump on skype, I had to redownload it and thought I clicked on the main download link. 4 hours later my registry is now clear of that stupid Ad Globe stuff. So much frustration. So yeah I agree.

 

[tim-from-pa]

I get everything from a repository. If it does not have it, then I don't download something else. And indeed, I don't think there's much out there that would even work on this computer as this computer can't run exec files, my other desktop does not even have a hard drive or any other drives, and none of them have registries to corrupt. That's just this solid state stuff I now have. I can remove/replace an entire operating system, and boot that same desktop computer in seconds. If I was evil (but I'm not ), that computer would be the one to commit a perfect crime because LE could not get anything off that computer. The only thing they could prove is tracing the network paths showing it came from "somewhere around here" but could not pin it to any one computer. I have 6 (and my wife has 3) ways to connect to the Internet here. More computers than TV sets.

 

[WIP]

Beware even with downloads from legitimate sources. Some of the software is free because it is loaded with additional trial applications and other things meant to be helpful such as browser toolbars and such, which is how they are able give the software away for free. Many times, you can elect not to install the extra stuff but sometimes, it is hidden.

 

[turnorburn]

This site has been a real help when it comes to identifying malware and such.. just be sure to look before you leap..:yes

http://urlvoid.com/

tob

 

[Knotical]

Beware even with downloads from legitimate sources. Some of the software is free because it is loaded with additional trial applications and other things meant to be helpful such as browser toolbars and such, which is how they are able give the software away for free. Many times, you can elect not to install the extra stuff but sometimes, it is hidden.

For these I always do a custom install. If you do the "recommended" method of installation it will automatically install that stuff. By going through the custom route you can unselect these things.

 

[Kenny_ms]

This site has been a real help when it comes to identifying malware and such.. just be sure to look before you leap..:yes

And don't get too cocky like me. It was direct X standalone or something Microsoft that got me because I assumed the first download site would be MS. I got the files I wanted and so much more lol. Fortunately I was able to dump it all fairly easily as it was all in my programs and features. This was also during a new install of windows when we are already a little stressed and that could have something to do with missing things too.

Knotical, you are lucky it was just Chrome, back in the day before I figured out a little bit about what I was doing, I've had to reinstall Windows due to some of the bugs I picked up.

Generally these are just PITA advertisments so they won't do a lot of harm if you know how to deal with them but one thing I can't understand is why the makers of that junkware think I would buy or use there product when they sneak it on to my PC or shove it in my face like they do? Chrome and Norton are bad at piggybacking with other programs onto your PC and I would never ever use them for that reason alone. Why would I use something that came to me by dishonest means?