Alternatives To CNET Downloads
Setting up a new computer can be a hassle. Once you have the operating system running, your preferred settings all in place, and any old data you need backed up, you have to start installing what you'll need. The easiest way to do that is to Google for free antivirus software, word processing, and so on. But that will likely take you to CNET Downloads, a site that is useful but also full of misleading advertising and packed-in bloatware programs. Next time you need to get a new computer set up, or just want to try out a new program, try one of these alternatives instead. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
Alternatives To Download.com
- Ninite.com: Great for bulk installation
- Filehippo.com: A curated list of programs
- Tucows.com: Clean user interface
- Fosshub.com: Aligned with the open source community
- Direct from the maker
Steps For Dealing With Malware
- Download and install malware scanners like BitDefender and MalwareBytes.
- Boot your PC into Safe Mode.
- Run the scanners. You should also perform a scan using your normal antivirus once these are done.
- Reset your home page in your web browser. Deleting cookies is also generally a good idea.
- Run your computer as normal. If the problems persist, you may need to take more drastic measures.
- If nothing else works, use a recovery point. This will roll your computer back to an earlier state, which means the issues will abate but so will anything you have saved in the interim.
What Is Adware?
Conclusion
The sheer amount of free software available to users can be overwhelming. Everything from alternatives to paid programs like Libre Office and GIMP to games and specialized productivity tools like Evernote can be at your fingertips in a matter of moments. But the best source for getting them can be difficult to find. Knowing a few of your options is a great way to get started downloading safely.
In Depth
If you have ever downloaded and installed software, chances are good that you have used CNET Downloads, also known as Download.com. It has been around since the early days of the internet, and is a popular source for free software. It boasts more than 150,000 free downloads of all types, from media players to utilities to games.
If the software you want is free to use or to try and is available online, you can probably get it from Download.com. The site is designed to help users find what they're looking for. It features a search bar, editorial reviews, a rating system, and lists of popular titles.
Alternatives to the site exist, and there are good reasons for wanting to use one. Download.com has a reputation for bundling crapware or bloatware with its downloads. This means that when you install the application you want, you might end up with others you didn't, unless you are very careful during the installation process.
Download.com has a reputation for bundling crapware or bloatware with its downloads.
Crapware or bloatware, sometimes called junkware, consists of programs that take up space and slow down your device without delivering any benefit. This includes potentially malicious programs like browser hijackers, which change your browser settings without permission, and adware, which is software that displays ads on your computer, even when you are not browsing the web.
Some users also complain about their advertising practices. Advertisements often include download buttons that look like the one for the software you want. The site essentially tricks users into clicking on ads. In doing so, those users end up installing programs they did not want.
To avoid these issues at CNET Downloads, you can use one of several alternatives. Perhaps the best source is the maker's own website. To find the maker, search for the name with Google. The company that developed the software is listed in a box to the right of the search results. Then find that company in the search results to download directly from the source. This approach ensures you are getting the current version. Plus, it is less likely to include bloatware.
To avoid these issues at CNET Downloads, you can use one of several alternatives.
If you expect to download and install multiple programs, then Ninite.com is a good choice. It allows you to select from dozens of popular applications, then it downloads and installs them for you while you work on something else. It will automatically refuse any add ons such as browser toolbars or adware. Because it goes directly to the publisher, they also ensure that you get the latest version.
Filehippo.com is also a reliable alternative. It advertises hand picked, up to date software titles that have been scanned for malware, adware, and viruses. They claim that the titles have no added bundles, installers, or toolbars. In other words, no crapware. It provides categories and a list of what's most popular to make things easy to find. And in contrast with Download.com, their advertisements are clearly marked as such and are not likely to be confused with downloadable software.
Tucows.com is another alternative that has committed to providing clean software downloads and a straightforward user experience. Company leaders have decided that they do not want to be associated with crapware for the sake of revenue, so you'll find no flashy ads or browser toolbars bundled with the applications you want to install. It is easy to find the software you want with the search bar, and the user experience is uncluttered.
It is easy to find the software you want with the search bar, and the user experience is uncluttered.
Fosshub.com has more than 30 categories, from anti-malware to video editors. It also claims that it includes no crapware, and the site features only one ad per page, which makes for a clean user experience. The "Foss" in the site's name stands for "free open source software," and its intended audience is generally more tech savvy than those of the other sites mentioned here.
While it's true that you can accidentally get viruses and other malicious software by downloading programs, many are safe and beneficial. No matter which site you use to get applications, it is wise to be extremely careful when installing software acquired from the web, in case it includes something that you don't want.
Read the screens presented during the installation process before you click any buttons to be sure that you are not installing programs you do not intend to install or agreeing to unexpected terms and conditions. Follow these guidelines and use the sites mentioned here and you will have a painless download and installation experience.
