How do I know if an application is badware before I download it?
While there is no way to be one hundred percent certain that an application is benign before installing it, there are a number of steps you can take to determine whether it poses a significant risk.
Check StopBadware.org: Soon after our initial launch in January, we will be issuing our first of many reports to come on good and bad applications. Get in the habit of checking our site before you download software, and if you find that we’ve issued a report on an application, then you can use that information to make an educated decision.
Check the reputation of the site: Using an internet search engine, do a few queries to determine if anyone else has experienced problems with a particular site. Often searching for something as simple as the application's name plus "spyware" will turn up a wealth of information. Don't download software from sites that have a reputation for bad business or software practices.
Read the documentation: Of course it is always important to read the terms and conditions before agreeing to them, but it is almost essential when downloading software. Make sure to read the license agreement and privacy policy carefully before installing any application, and keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Applications should be clear and up-front about how they will change your experience after installation, and those that aren’t may be hiding something.
Use the community: The online anti-badware community has proven itself to be a very helpful ally in the battle to keep badware off of desktops. There are a number of forums and sites dedicated to reporting on the state of badware and what applications to avoid. Here are a few sites to investigate, but please note that Stop badware .org is not affiliated with any of these organizations:
Doxdesk.com
Spywareguide.com
PCpitstop.com
Spywarewarrior.com
Spywareinfo.com
Follow the money: When downloading software for free, take a moment to consider how the application is able to be provided free of charge. Many applications are able to support themselves by displaying targeted advertisements. Some companies may simply hope that by adopting their free service you will be enticed to buy their premium product. If a free application doesn’t disclose how it’s offered for free, you may want to do additional investigation using the methods above.
If you are concerned that you may have downloaded badware, read about how to get rid of it.
|
|
|
Flagged by Google?
Badware Website Clearinghouse
|
146666
Reported URLs
|
|
Click here
to search the URLs that have been reported to us by our partners.
|
|
Click here
to view statistics from our top clearinghouse pages.
|
|
|
