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The most common way that virus makers and hackers gain access to computers is by installing malicious software onto a computer when a person downloads something off the Internet. To avoid any malicious software from being downloaded onto your computer, you need to make sure that you are practicing safe download procedures. Here is a look at ways that you can ensure that you are downloading safe software that is free of malicious software.
The first way to ensure that you are downloading safe software is to make sure that you are using trusted website. Many times, software that contains malicious downloads comes from an unknown site. It is a good idea to use only trusted websites that have safe downloads. CNet Downloads is a great place to check on downloads. CNet lists a lot of the safe download sites that are known for providing safe downloads that are malicious content free. It is a good idea to check the lists of safe download sites to make sure that any download that you are downloading is safe.
The second way to ensure that you are downloading safe software is to make sure that you are running up to date anti-virus and anti-spyware programs. These programs will be able to detect any malicious software that is being downloaded and stop the download before it gets to the computer. Sometimes these programs will not pick up on malicious content while it is being downloaded. In fact, many malicious software creators create it so that the malicious software does not go onto the computer until the program is launched. This hidden software allows the download to come up safe on a virus scan. This hidden software is why it is a good idea to run a virus can before you launch the program and even after you launch the program, just to make sure no malicious software was installed.
