Is Free Really Free?
That so-called free program you just downlowded might contain adware, malware, spyware, or even be able to hijack you pc for profit!
Is having a free program or service a fair trade for your privacy and security?
|
| The Cost of Free |
Has this ever happened to you?
One day you're browsing the Internet as normal. The next day your browser's homepage has been changed to some off-color site and your desktop is serving up some program you don't recall installing. Termed Adware, the Internet is filled with programs that hijack your PC for profit, most hidden inside so-called "free" downloads and pop-up ads that forcibly install software on systems with improper security configurations. This doesn't mean that all free downloads are bad or that all pop-ups try to surreptitiously install software. It does mean, however, that you'll want to pay close attention to both the licensing agreement of free downloads and the security settings in your browser.
Some Adware is a bit more insidious than others. In order to provide targeted ad banners, Adware often contains another hidden component that tracks web useage. When this occurs, the program is no longer considered Adware but instead is termed Spyware. Information gathered, often referred to as "traffic data", can consist of rather benign cookies and time spent on certain sites. However, more often it also obtains your system's unique numerical hardware ID (MAC address) and IP address, combines it with your surfing habits and correlates it with any personal information you provided when the "free" program was downloaded. Worse, it trades this information with affiliate advertising, building an increasingly complex dossier on who you are and what you like to do on the Internet.
In even more modern extreme cases, your keystokes may be recorded, and any or all personal passwords, etc., could be stolen.
Is having a FREE program or service a fair trade for your privacy? If not, dump the freeware and buy what you need, because the odds are that's the trade you are making.
Of course, there are shining examples of free software that really are free with no strings attached. Admittedly tedious, the best way to sort good from bad is to simply read the end-user licensing agreement or privacy statement that accompanies the intended product or site.
We at WorldsLargestNetwork.com, are always looking for those shining examples, and we do take pride in doing our best to offer YOU the best!
What we find and recommend is more often not free, and in a lot of cases the above information is why. We hope you can appreciate this concern.
Our Best Regards,
WorldsLargestNetwork.com
PS: If you would like to See if your PC has any dangerous Spyware and/or Adware on it, just Click on those piercing little eyes at the top of the page, or click on the free spyware scanner link here.
It will take you to our Consumer's Top Pick in anti-spyware.
It is Absolutely FREE to do the Scan. There is a small cost to have something removed if you are infected. |
|
