Internet downloads are one of the main routes of infection for malware and unwanted software. Firstly, we recommend that you avoid downloading files from pirate or disreputable websites. In addition, we always recommend that, when downloading programs for our PC, we do it from their official websites. This is undoubtedly the best way to stay safe. We also make sure that we download the latest version of the programs and avoid running unnecessary risks. By always going to the official websites, we ensure that the programs have not been modified to hide threats. In addition, we will make sure that we are downloading the latest version available. In addition, we ensure that it does not install adware on the PC. Let’s take a look at some websites to download free software.
However, it is true that searching web by web can be complicated and tedious. Therefore, there are websites that allow us to find virtually any type of application for our PC and download them easily. However, we must be careful with the websites from which we download the software if we do not want to have to pay dearly for it.
Precautions when downloading software
As you probably already know, there are websites of total confidence, and others not so much. And there are some that offers us, for example, free payment programs. Of these we should be completely suspicious, in fact, they are not only illegal. In addition, the most common is that they are false applications, or full of malware. We must bear in mind that nobody gives anything away for free, something that affects the software world. On the other hand, if we have any doubts, we can use platforms such as VirusTotal.
Thus, we have the possibility to upload the executable of the downloaded program to that security service. In this way, we can see if it is really free of viruses or other types of malware. At the same time, it is advisable to have an antivirus installed and active locally on the operating system. Thus, many of them already take care of blocking the download and execution of infected files. This is always a guarantee, whether it is Windows Defender or some other third-party solution.
Best websites to download free and adware-free software
In addition to the operating system that all desktop computers have installed, the additional software that we find in them is fundamental. Regardless of whether they are applications that we add ourselves as we need them, or software that is already included as standard. In any case, these programs we are referring to will be of enormous help when it comes to getting the most out of the equipment as such. But of course, it is equally important to choose the title that most interests us in each case, as well as the source from where we are going to download it.
It is true that the era of buying software packages in their corresponding official box has become somewhat outdated. Or, at least, these in disuse. Nowadays, the most common thing is to download what we need. This can be for free or for a fee, from online websites. Here we can use the official pages of the software developers. Also of other more generic webs that offer us these programs directly.
At this point, what we must do is to choose well the website we are going to choose for the download. Indeed, not all of them are 100% reliable. Precisely in these same lines we offer you some of the best known and used worldwide in this regard.
MajorGeeks
If we are looking for a website with high quality applications, MajorGeeks is one of the best. On this website we will find all kinds of quality freeware programs. Its editors check that the downloads are legitimate, reliable, and safe before offering them to users.
Its main limitation is that, being limited to very high quality applications, and many of them even technical, some programs may not be found. But yes, everything we find in this portal will be of full confidence.
FossHub
FossHub is another alternative to download free software safely. This website is designed to host and allow us to download all kinds of free and open source programs. However, we can also find some options that, although they will always be free, are proprietary, closed source.
In addition to offering free applications, this website is against pop-ups and all kinds of adware or potentially unwanted software. Everything we download from their servers (the download is direct, no intermediate downloaders) will be reliable.
Softpedia
This is one of the largest sites where we can find practically any type of program. Its database has about one million registered programs. In addition, it has a powerful and simple software search engine. Finally, the downloads, besides being verified and reliable, are updated.
GitHub
GitHub is the portal par excellence where you can find all kinds of open source programs. Certainly, the previous websites allow us to access the downloads easily. However, through this portal, we will be able to access directly to the source code of the programs. In addition, we will be able to see a list with all the versions and all the changes that have been detected. Additionally, if we have a problem, we will be able to open an incident directly to the developer.
Among its disadvantages, we find that it is not exactly intuitive or easy to use. But if we are going to download an open source software, we will not find any link closer to the original.
Ninite
Ninite is not as complete a page as the previous ones. However, if we know how to take advantage of it, it can be very interesting. This website has a list with the essential applications that most users may need on their computer. It also allows us to select the ones we are interested in and download an installer with all of them.
When we execute this installer, all the applications that we have selected will be downloaded and installed automatically. The installation of the programs is silent. Therefore, we will not have to be aware of accepting windows or disable the consent to install unwanted software.
