Introduction
While I still prefer browser playable games, there are limitations to what it can offer. Downloadable games, may provide better features in term of graphics and it's story line. With millions of free downloadable games and software, we have lots of choice, but as other freeware, it exposes us to the potential of spyware penetrations. Read on to learn on how to download free games and software safely.
1) Be suspicious on the website
It is better to be suspicious than be sorry. While you browse the Internet for your free games, watch out for signs such as misspelling. It is very rare for a reputable site to have misspells. But suspicious site will sometimes purposely use misspell links to deceive web surfers. For example, Microsoft might be spelled as Micrsoft.
We should also beware on nested links. If the links in a site keeps inducing you to irrelevant sites, we should immediately get away from it.
2) Be alert on suspicious invitation of installation
The next thing we should be suspicious while surfing, is invitation to install or download programs. Sometimes there will be a pop up alert requesting us to install a program necessary to run certain games. Make sure that you know what the program is for, and that it actually trustable. If you don't have any knowledge of the program, it is more advisable to decline, find info on the program, then only go back to installing it.
3) Use alternative browser
Internet explorer is the most used browser in the world, making it a target for cyber criminals to market their spywares and viruses. To avoid this, you might want to consider using alternative browser such as firefox or opera. But if you still choose to use Internet explorer, make sure to deny any request of installing unknown Active X components. Also make sure that your browser are up to date with the most recent features possible.
4) Download your game from reputable 3rd party download sites
Reputable software download site like Cnet and others, makes a living by providing downloads. Therefore it is very essential for them to keep software or games provided, free of spyware and malware. As much as possible, try to get your free games download from these kinds of sites. It will be more secure.
5) Research your game on review sites
If the free game you want to download is not available on a reputable 3rd party download sites, then the next thing you can do is, find info on the game you want to download from review sites, or forums. We should seek what others are saying about the game before downloading it right? But what if the search engine could not even find a single review on the game? I don't know about you, but if it is me, I will surely decide not to download any unknown game.
6) Be extra careful during installation progress
This is something that I use to ignore previously. When downloading games or software, I usually blindly click the next button up to the finish tab. No, don't do this. Slowly go through the process, and make sure you read and understand each one of it. Make sure you actually read the agreement clauses if any, although it might be long and tiring.
7) Make sure your computer is properly protected
There are 3 essential protections you should have in your computer. Firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware programs. Make sure they are all functioning and up to date. But a word of caution on anti-spyware. There are actually spyware disguising as anti-spyware programs. To be safe, you can use either windows defender or spybot. These 2 programs have quite a reputable review in the Internet. If you are going to use any other program, make sure you see reviews of other users on it before installing it to your computer.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment