There are hundreds, maybe even thousands of free computer downloads available on the Internet. However, if you do not know what places to trust you run the risk of putting your personal information, computer files and whole computer system at risk. For every free download site on the Internet, there are another 10 fake download sites that are filled with malicious computer software programs that will destroy files and information on anyone’s computer. To avoid downloading computer software that might be corrupted by malicious software, it is a good idea to only go to trusted computer downloading sites.

Here is a look at some of the most trusted websites on the Internet for computer downloads.

Cnet Download

Cnet Download is a comprehensive website filled with thousands of computer downloads. All available downloads have been put through a screening process to make sure they are safe and will not contain any malicious software. One of the best features of Cnet Downloads is the review system. Every download has a rating and review system that can be used by others who have downloaded and used the program, so computer users will be able to judge if the download would be worth it to download or not.

PC World

PC World is another great website that is trusted when it comes to free downloads. All downloads are put through a testing process to ensure that they are legitimate and do not contain any harmful software with it. PC World also has some great information and articles available to computer users so that they can stay up to date with the latest technological advancements and updates. PC World also has product reviews by experts in the technology field as well as consumers’ reviews of available downloads. You will be able to download free software knowing that you have all the available information when you visit PC World.

Of course everyone likes to receive something for nothing! But, in the computer world is it wise to use free downloads and open source software like the xvid codec? Many are harmless and will not create any issues with your computer system and may offer you what you are looking for. On the other hand, some free downloads may wreak havoc on your computer system. It is always a good idea to take precautions when downloading anything, but especially when you are receiving it for free; otherwise you may discover later that your “free” download was far from “free”!

Free downloads can include everything from computer software drivers, computer programs, and e-books to the latest music video. Most downloads that you will come across for free are harmless and legal. However, you may come across entire websites, communities, or individuals who are offering pirated software or files for download, which is illegal. If you download pirated software or files for free, you are committing a crime and can be prosecuted.

How can you ensure that the information you are downloading is safe and legal? Start by only dealing with reputable sites. If you are looking to download a software program like xvid, driver, or file that you need for a piece of hardware you need it for, visit the official website for the hardware and download it directly from there. Never download a file offered for free from an individual or community. Some music and video files are offered for free legitimately and legally. To ensure that you are receiving legal copies be aware of the websites you are using and if necessary do a little research to determine that you are dealing with an honest website.

To protect your computer system from harm during a download, you can begin simply be ensuring that your internet security program is turned on and running properly before beginning the download. Again, using reputable websites to download from will also ensure a greater level of protection.

You can find a lot of things out there on the Internet that are free, including music, movies, software, training products, software like FileZilla, etc. If you need it, chances are you can find it on the web. When you choose free downloads rather than paying for what you need, there is caution to be had. You need to be careful where and how you download free information. Take a look at these tips for keeping your computer safe.

1.                    Only download from a trusted website. If you are looking for music or e-books, you’ll want to make use a trusted site like Amazon. When you download free things from unknown sites, you risk infecting your computer with a virus or spyware. If you are unfamiliar with a website, check for any reviews or user information before you press download.

2.                    If you are downloading software like File Zilla or training material, see if you can get a CD. It’s always best to download software that comes from an original CD. Even if a download is available for free online, the company may be willing to send you a CD, as well. Some companies use free downloads as marketing and will be willing to send the CD to get you to try the product.

3.                    Keep your virus protection up to date. This is good advice for anyone who spends time on the Internet, but if you are getting free downloads, it’s especially important to keep your virus protection going. Even some of the most trusted websites can be vulnerable to virus attacks.

4.                    Avoid pop ups. Pop-up windows can be virus carriers. Although not every pop-up window will carry a virus, it’s best to avoid them when you can.

Go ahead and enjoy those free downloads, just be smart about the way you go about getting the things you want.

Free downloads can certainly be a pain. After all, there are hundreds and thousands of applications, utilities, and other programs in different categories from which to choose. Getting the best free downloads can be a chore, but there are some tips to help you wade through these dangerous waters.

What we’re looking for is efficiency. It will not only save you time but also your system; the last thing you want is to waste your night looking for free downloads, or clogging your system’s memory or registry with such programs. Thus, we need to rely on others.

One way to do this is to look at the most popular downloads. While some gems may be hidden, most aren’t – as long as we’re talking about free programs. If you’re looking for a specific program, such as a nice FTP client, then look for the top downloads that are free. Chances are you will find something like Filezilla that is nice; at the very least, this could be a good step before diving into uncharted territory.

Another useful step is to read reviews. Rather than experience the bug yourself, or how so-and-so feature does not work correctly, learn from others’ experiences and trust the reviews. Like by reading 99% positive reviews about a Notepad, it is more likely that you will get that Notepad rather than going with some editor having less and negative reviews. Reading reviews on potential free downloads is a great way to narrow the field and find out what may be best. A lot of times they will mention a feature that is especially useful, giving you more information about the program.

Along with reviews, open source softwares community size and ratings may also help in narrowing down your selection. Like, you may get stuck up in choosing among a number of remote control softwares. Then the best option is to check the support for the remote control softwares and their ratings to finally come to a decision about selecting applications like Putty for secure SSH connection if you are using Linux or you may select Tight VNC if your are looking to get remote control application for windows.

When it comes to free downloads, reading reviews and looking at the most popular ones can help you out a great deal. The trial and error method is something to be avoided, both for the sake of you and your computer. Take a look at potential programs with a keen eye and see what you can find; chances are that you will find something to fit your needs.

Free downloads have gotten a bad reputation in some circles, because there is a concern that they invite spyware, malware, viruses, and other problems into a person’s computer. While there may be some sites where that’s the case, most sites that offer free downloads are safe and don’t cause any kinds of problems. If you’re looking for a free download like the p2p file sharing software Ares, consider the site that you’re about to get it from. Are there any user reviews or ratings for that site posted online? What did other people have to say about their experience with the site and with the software?

There are bound to be a couple of bad reviews, even for a good site, because there are always some people who aren’t happy no matter what you offer them. However, if you find more bad reviews than good ones, or if there are serious problems or unresolved complaints through the Better Business Bureau, it’s time to take another look at the site. Rather than take a risk, choose to get your free downloads from a site that has a good reputation and that can be trusted. There are many of them, some of which certify their downloads as being clean and virus-free.

If you find a site like that, that’s the one you should stick with for your downloads. You’ll have a lot less to worry about that way, and there won’t be as much of a chance for something to go wrong. These kinds of sites are usually better at customer support, too, which means that you’ll get your questions answered and get help if you do have any kind of problem downloading or using your freebie. Not all free download sites are created equal, so be careful and do your research. You’ll be glad you took the time.