As online earners, we definitely don't want any infected stuff in our PC. Anyway, here are some of my advice as a long-time *downloader*.

1. Careful from downloading anything from Warez site or those cracked applications or those that comes with keygens as a lot of them are infected. Believe me. I know.

There was one time I download FLStudio from a warez site. Little did I know that it was made to SPY and send information to the internet without me knowing. It means its infected with a spyware. My antivirus, Avira, didn't detect it. Instead, I found out about it when I installed ThreatFire.

2. In relation to number 1, have an antispyware software that provides real-time protection.

3. Download from legit sites like CNet, BrotherSoft, Softpedia, and Filehippo as the applications here are 100% clean. If you encounter a site you barely know, research first. Ask Google's search engine if its legit or not. I'm sure there's gonna be results.

4. Careful with downloading OPEN-SOURCE files from other sites. I found out from How-to-Geek (link here (http://www.howtogeek.com/59103/important-warning-be-careful-downloading-open-source-apps-via-search/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=150411)) that there are sites that offers FREE but INFECTED open-source files like this site here.

*WARNING! DO NOT DOWNLOAD FROM THESE SITE*
http://www.gofree.com/vlcmediaplayer.php
http://www.vlc.us.com

I only download open-source files from SourceForge or in the legit sites I listed above. If a site looks funny, leave it.

4. Always have an updated antivirus and make sure its real-time protection is turned on. Did you know that scanning a file through an antivirus and then it gave you a clean result, doesn't ensure you that its not infected?

In H4ck4tt4ck before, used to be a PTP forum, someone posted a way to infect a file that can't be detected unless you run it. That user even uploaded his file in those Online Scanning sites (the one that scans you file with all antiviruses) but the result was 100% CLEAN. Scary if you download similar files, huh?

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I hope these helps. :D

You really need to be careful whenever you are downloading from the net. It has the power to destroy your system this tips are very useful. Thanks for sharing them. And those site mention above, i will do well to stay away from them.

thanks for this information. I often download from such site but on a public cafe. I'm sure i downloaded such things into their system without knowing. I would be more careful while downloading especially into my own personal computer.

@chinenye
If you download from an internet cafe, that pose more risk as usually, computers from net cafes are infected although so far, I think most of them doesnt directly pose a threat to our online-earning ventures.

Just make sure you have an updated antivirus in the unit your using to earn online.

What is that Warez site?? I never heard about this stuff

No matter it is your personal PC or the internet café, it is always better to be careful while downloading stuffs. Check if it is from a legit source. If anyone prompts you to download certain things to earn money, beware, no one will give you free money. It is their mode of hacking or spamming your system. Keep an up to date antivirus, anti spyware application.

No matter it is your personal PC or the internet café, it is always better to be careful while downloading stuffs. Check if it is from a legit source. If anyone prompts you to download certain things to earn money, beware, no one will give you free money. It is their mode of hacking or spamming your system. Keep an up to date antivirus, anti spyware application.Yes, we must always be careful when we wanted to download any program from the internet. My friend's computer got hacked and she had to buy another new computer, since all the system in her computer had been malfunction after that downloading.

I have installed anti-virus software in my pc. Now I feel safe whenever I downloading any file from net.

I think downloads is one of the easiest way to get virus from internet. It contains lots of spywares, if from a wrong site or if the software is infected. For my downloads, i usually use brothersoft or cnet.

Just do not go around those webpage with viruses and update your OS in time, plus a nice anti-virus software. Your computer can be good either!

Any site that asks you to download their exclusive virus free download manager is scam. This includes Cnet.com or even softonic's download manager. they log your surfing history and sell it to advertisers. So never download those download managers from the site where you get free stuff.

Most file or application downloading web sites are riddled with malicious malware that will corrupt computer if one is not careful of downloading in the web site.

Not true skynett. Utorrent which I use for the linux distro downloading and some other stuff has no virus at all. It depends on where and why you download the stuff. if the source has virus your downloader software is not responsible for it.

thanks for the topic, a lot of helpful information read!

Our account or PC security in our hand, if we have careful to do any stuff. Downloading is the most important thing to consider when doing. check properly your downloaded document security stuff. and try to away downloading, only do when needed and know about the download item.

we can use sandbox to prevent any malicious programs from attacking our system! You can run your browser under a sandboxed mode. You can also use virtual pc and system freezer just to ease the problem of downloading a huge database file update from your antivirus. Good for slow internet connection at home. Cheers!

If you have a good antivirus and firewall software installed into your computer and you are careful enough about web threats, then nothing can harm you and your computer. Just you need to be smart enough.

also dont open an email attachment when its comes from unknown sender the chances that it would be a spyware

Please how can I scan my systen to detect spywares and which anti spyware software can I use..please I will apreciate if a link will be pasted for me to download it..am scared of my system now

please check the cnet reviews for the best software in the market

and i remember last month i've download Sims 3 expansion pack katty perry. with 2 awesome virus. hate that one.

well i not download vlc from that site . just go for the original site videolan.org :).

Thanks for the info, i used to visit warez sites but not anymore ever since i learned the risks that come with downloading files there. I just now use torrents or download from the safe sites that you have mentioned. I used to use limewire when downloading songs and e-books, but unfortunately limewire has been shut down by the US government. I hope one day limewire will be back for good.

I've never believed that these virus could destroy your system until I got the prove by myself. I downloaded a game and I realize that was'nt a game just a few days later when almost all my files were deleted by it, you MUST have an Antivirus in your computer to prevent all the trojan horses, keyloggers, and all of this stuff, I had to prove by myself, and I'm still regret to haven't listened my technic

I think we should always scan the installer if ever we download programs from the internet so that we are assured that it's safe. I always do that so that i won't be surprised with a virus. And download only from trusted sites, that's the number one rule i think.

I think downloads is one of the easiest way to get virus from internet. It contains lots of spywares, if from a wrong site or if the software is infected. For my downloads, i usually use brothersoft or cnet.

Brothersoft and cnet are good sites but you should use caution while downloading stuff from these sites.. For spywares, you can use superanitispyware.

Brothersoft and cnet are good sites but you should use caution while downloading stuff from these sites.. For spywares, you can use superanitispyware.
Softpedia is the best sites out there for downloading things. They even host some of those software. They will give you information of the software whether it is adware, or freeware, trial, etc. It is safe I can assure you.

@princeofheart @yakowas i think these sites Brothersoft, cnet and softpedia filehippo, are great in terms of downloading spyware free softwares, they have been around for years now, and proven to be clean downloading sites. I do most of my downloads there.

You really need to be cautious whenever you are installing from the net. It has the energy to eliminate your program this guidelines are very useful. i do Really appreciate you for discussing them. And those website discuss above, i will do well to keep away from them . . . . . . . .

This is really an useful information for all the forum users and with that we'll do downloading with more understanding. In the current scenario, many types of viruses are coming to PC's by downloading. With more concern and knowledge we can save our important docs in PC.