There are all kinds of reason why you might want to download content from online. For one thing, it’s a quick and easy way to get software, media, and other digital content without having physical delivery systems (discs and all their packaging) cluttering up your home.
Plus, you can sometimes save money by downloading rather that purchasing the physical products. But every time you decide to download you could be exposing your computer to harmful elements such as viruses, spyware, malware, and other trackers or malicious software embedded in your content.
So here are just a few tips to help you operate in a safe and secure manner where downloadable content is concerned.
You might have to pay for it, but you won’t be exposed to the same security issues as the sharing sites that give it away for free. You may also want to steer clear of adult content, which is similarly prone to malware attachments.
Plus, you can sometimes save money by downloading rather that purchasing the physical products. But every time you decide to download you could be exposing your computer to harmful elements such as viruses, spyware, malware, and other trackers or malicious software embedded in your content.
So here are just a few tips to help you operate in a safe and secure manner where downloadable content is concerned.
#1. Avoid illegal downloads.
Sure it can be tempting to engage in piracy. After all, everyone loves to get free stuff, and the prevalence of bootlegged, cracked, and otherwise free media online (music, movies, games, etc.) is enough to make anyone download a fave here and there (or an entire library). But whenever you involve yourself in criminal activity, even to a seemingly insignificant degree, you open yourself up to the criminal element. And plenty of illegal content pushers include stuff in your download that you don’t want. So if you’d like to download your media safely, do it from a reputable site.You might have to pay for it, but you won’t be exposed to the same security issues as the sharing sites that give it away for free. You may also want to steer clear of adult content, which is similarly prone to malware attachments.