Are free screensavers safe to-install?

There are lots of sites online that provide free screensavers for download. The question remains however, are those screensavers safe? By downloading and installing these so called free screensavers can any harm come to your computer? This is a legitimate concern, which must be addressed before any individual also considers installing a free screensaver.

There are lots of malicious plans that may come provided with a totally free screensaver. These will mainly be viruses, spyware, adware, and toolbars. There are a couple of variations within these programs, but in the main they are considered unwanted, until the consumer specifically requests them. And from that list, the only person that you would even consider adding would be a friendly toolbar. But more on that later.

Below is just a brief run-down of each and every type of destructive programs that you would desire to avoid:

Viruses: These must be avoided no matter what while they may detrimentally harm your computer, usually to the point of losing unrecoverable information. Only down load software from trusted websites where programs are tested and examined, for example at Download.com, In the event that you are afraid of being infected with viruses. Download.com also host their own files, which means that application can not be modified at a later time to add any worms.

Spyware: These are programs which are used to unethically track and spy in your internet online activities. The information may then be sold to advertisers or used to improve your browser and computer functions. Spy-ware is one of the hardest bundled computer software, and can be difficult to remove.

Adware: Ad-ware is just a little less scary than spy-ware, although no less frustrating to the average computer user. While you are checking adware programs will continually exhibit popups and undesirable adverts. Sometimes you might not even realise that you have adware until you observe an excessive amount of popups through your normal surfing (where there were no popups before).

Toolbars: Finally we have toolbars, which really is a container. Some toolbars are now actually quite useful, including the Google Toolbar, or some offering improved activity knowledge like the StumbleUpon toolbar. Dig up further on our partner link - Click here: Xfire - Gaming Simplified. Having said that, there are other toolbars which are used as a method of exhibiting advertisements and are hard to uninstall. Some of those unwanted toolbars come bundled with free screensavers or application, often from some so called big-name businesses.

It's very important that you do your re-search before you obtain screensavers. As businesses are required legally to see people what they would be adding, see the Terms of Service, and Conditions of Use to the sites.

Be sure to read the fine print. Not just what's on the down load page. Often they'll say No spy-ware, but they do not mention anything about adware. Get further on our affiliated encyclopedia by clicking open in a new browser. Are you prepared to put up with some (or even a lot) of advertisements for-a free screensaver? Most of the people certainly shouldn't..