Free Can Be Dangerous

I wanted to remind everyone to make sure that when you are downloading "free" software, that you need to make sure to always choose the Custom or Advanced installation.    99% of the time, when you choose the Typical or Recommended installation, you will be loading all sorts of other programs and there's a huge risk of downloading malware.

Here's a real life example.  I needed a color identifying program so that I could match the colors from one of my client's website to her new newsletter which I am creating.   Someone told me about ColorCop.net.   I started to download their software.  I immediately chose the "Advanced" download, and see that the first thing they want to install on my is a Delta Toolbar.   WARNING WILL ROBINSON - do not install this onto your PC - ever.  I had to hire someone to clean up my PC after I made this mistake.   So, was I safe in proceeding after I unchecked the boxes?   No.  It then proceeded to tell me that it would install several other programs, including TopArcade.  I had to quickly cancel the installation, and do a check of all the programs that were installed on my PC today.  I had to uninstall each of them and ensure that they were completely gone.

I still needed the program, so I went to CNet.com.   I love this site, as they have a lot of shareware choices.   I found another program, "JustColorPicker" that is similar to ColorCop; it offers RGB, HEX and HTML color code identification.    I proceeded with the download, and again made sure to choose Custom Set Up.   Again, the site was going to download a toolbar if I did not uncheck those options.   Once I hit "next step" there were other programs that it would have installed, had I not clicked "Decline".    At least this download offered me the choice to Decline these options.

I am now using Just Color Picker, and the program is working to my liking.   The morale of the story is to BE CAREFUL.   If your PC security comes up with a warning window, do not ignore it!  Even if you really, really want the program/functionality, try to find an alternative program.  Chances are, there's one out there.

I am the queen of cheap, but I have learned my lesson in willy-nilly downloading.   Stay alert and have a good antivirus program.

Best wishes,  Lora Zibman

www.SoutheasternAdmin.com