Choosing Safe Freware

By Phil Campbell


Freeware Is basically software that you can download without paying for anything. The term Freeware means free software. It can be downloaded simply as many times as you would like.

Freeware can include a vast variety of software including anything from gaming programs to images and music. As an internet resource it cannot be beaten. Many people are very uneasy about the idea of downloading free software because they are anxious about the risk of viruses. Some of the available Freeware does contain viruses and other threats.

In order to protect your computer you must be aware of the possible risks and take the appropriate steps to avoid them, you cannot just start downloading anything which attracts you without checking it out first. Using the larger Freeware sites is usually a good plan. The best sites tend to test and check programs prior to sharing them with anyone.

Not all of the Freeware sites do this mind you, as many are much more motivated by quantity rather than quality. Many will list just about anything allowing them to brag a vast collection. This means that size is no guarantee of safety.

With such a huge selection of different Freeware programs on offer it can be challenging to find the best ones. Looking in forums is a reliable way of finding out about reputable sites. You can save yourself a huge amount of time by learning through the experience of others. Large directories which encourageusers to leave feedback on various software are also very good places to do some research.

Some of the Freeware programs that are available are free because quite frankly they are entirely hopeless and nobody would ever dream of actually paying to use them. Whilst others are quite handy to use free of charge, but not useful enough for individuals to go out and pay for them.

Then there are the incredibly good freeware programs that have been created by talented individuals who want to share their fantastic software. It is difficult for many to get what would posess a programmer to put time and energy into their work only to release it free of charge. Essentially they generally aspire to recieve credit at a later date for masterminding a useful program. Often programmers accept donations as a type of payment for their work, but this is never a requirement. There is never an obligatory charge for its use.

A number of people get Freeware mixed up with Shareware. They are not the same. Shareware may only be used free of charge for a fixed trial period, after which you have to pay.




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