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Re: What's your modus operandi?
de Susan Bugher 05/22/2006 10:03
bIGGy wrote:
> * Susan Bugher:
>
>> Software is a "black box" - a door that's waiting to be opened. What's
>> the best way to find out what's behind the door? (Is it a lady or a
>> tiger?)
> I usually check the program and it's authour out on the slelect few
> download sites that I trust, NoNags, SnapFiles, PricelesswareHome, and
> John Hood's Best of Freeware. I may also investigate a freeware program
> that has gotten a very good review in PC Utilities Magazine or PC World
> Magazine.
I'm not sure which sites *test* apps or what they test for (I know
Softpedia tests for Malware). . . be nice if we could spell out who
tests what. . . maybe link to a page with that info if there is one. . .
PLEASE NOTE: the Pricelessware List is a *recommendation* - the ACF list
most emphatically is NOT - some of those programs have only been
*mentioned* in ACF - and opinion may be divided on those that have been
discussed. Google the newsgroup archives to see what was posted. When
there is a consensus that an app is bad it may "earn" ;) a NR (not
recommended) notation on the ACF pages - NR is pretty much reserved for
the worst of the worst).
> The posting of adware, spyware, and other malware in this group (some,
> but not all, of it by Tramp) has meant that I won't uncatagorically
> trust the opinions offered in this group. If I find something
> interesting posted here I will check it out on one of the above web sites.
> I don't expect others to protect my computer from viruses and malware,
> so I run my own virus and anti-spyware scans prior to installation. I
> would also recommend that those using Windows ME or XP create a restore
> point with System Restore prior to installation. It is also a good idea
> to use a tool like Total Uninstall to monitor the installation.
> The above isn't perfect, but it should at least reduce the number of
> problems some people have with freeware.
Good advice. Thanks. :)
re organizing this topic. . . ISTM the questions people ask (or
*should* ask) about using free apps are something like this:
Is it really free? Are there any strings attached?
Is it safe (not Malware/Spyware etc.)?
Is it good/useful?
Will installing it harm my computer?
ISTM it would be nice if we could tell them how/where to find the
answers. . .
Susan
--
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