Useful IT Practise: Double-Check Before You Download Any Software

Sometimes, we contracted spywares and trojans during or not long after downloading software. Nobody can blame us for wanting to download something, but we must blame ourselves if we failed to double-check before we download and the result is that we've got ourselves infected.

On this post, i want to share with you some tips which i believe will help you out to a certain degree. I will keep things short and simple as well. If you follow these easy tips, you can assume that you'll be better off rather than worse off!


TIP 1: Be Aware of the Existence and Credibility of Third-Parties offering that Download Link

Before you click on a download link, think about this first: is the download link provided by a legitimate company/organization/individual? Can any of the three parties, in your opinion and others, be trusted? Does the company/organization (on which the thing you tried to download claimed to be affiliated) even exists? If all three answers are no, then leave the download link ALONE.


TIP 2: Refer to other Additional Information/Sources

Before you click on a download link to a particular thing, have you done some homework on that software you're trying to download? Has there been any web users complaints about that download path? Did any of the web users claim that the software itself is a scam/dangerous? Do legitimate companies encourage you to download that software as they assure you that the download link is malware-free? If all four answers are no, again, please leave the download ALONE and reconsider other options.


TIP 3: Always Download from the Most Reliable Resources available

Before you click on a download link, think again: if this software is available for download widely and you can' trust the third party that offers you the download link, why don't choose to download from more reliable sources? For example, its official website or links offered by trusted partners/companies? It might waste some of your time relocating yourself to the official website and find the download path but at least, you are downloading software from the company's link ITSELF. Even if there's something wrong with the download, you're ensured of someone whom you can complain to, redeem or even sue for damages with supreme confidence.


TIP 4: Do You Really Need it?

Are you sure that you really need to download the software? Ask yourself clearly: why are you downloading the software and how much of an asset owning that software are to you? A simple reminder: some redundant software with security holes encourages hackers and virus to penetrate your PC's defenses, even when you have a firewall and antivirus installed. So if the software is not downloaded for any major purposes, do NOT even try to download it. Who knows it might just save you from security troubles?