is this a safe download?

Question

http://www.download.com/FIFA-World-Cup-Screensaver/3000-2405_4-10540139.html?tag=list

Answer 1

I would personally not download any screensavers but if you really feel you want to take the risk ensure you have backed up data or more conveniently used system restore (system restore will not save files)

To access System Restore go:
Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore

Follow the on-screen instructions to ensure a safe restore point.

Also to be extra safe you can use regedit or if you're using Windows XP regedt32. To access regedit using a Windows XP computer go:

Start > Run > Type 'regedit' > Click 'File' > Export > Type a name and save to a specific location.

To ensure a safe back up, store the registry on some form of removable media such as a floppy disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or preferably a flash drive.

Answer 2

CNET is the parent company of Download.com. CNET also owns PC Magazine. So, it is pretty reputable website. As a policy, Download.com scans all their downloads for malware. I highly recommend you download and install SiteAdvisor. SiteAdvisor supports both Internet Explorer and Firefox. It comes as a plugin for both. The developers of SiteAdvisor have comb through the Internet and identify almost all the websites that host malware. Once installed, if you surf to a website that contains malware then SiteAdvisor alerts you to the danger. McAfee recently acquired SiteAdvisor and it is totally free. Many popular computer mazagines have reviewed this powerful tool. I think this will really help you if you plan to download other software from any website, not just Download.com . Read PC World's review at:

http://msn.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,124936,00.asp

Below, I have also provided a link to the article which talks about how Download.com screens the software that it hosts:

http://www.lifehacker.com/software/spyware-cleaners/downloadcom-congratulates-self-for-filtering-spyware-101399.php

Oh, BTW, if you search for "free screensavers" on Google, over a third of the results link to malicious websites. The moral of the story is common sense is your best security tool.

Answer 3

I would steer clear of screensavers, they can disrupt your usual computer usage, just use the windows screensaver called slide show and put your pictures you want on it into the my pictures folder. However, download.com is a generally safe download area.

Answer 4

I would create a fresh restore point and backup my registry before I even downloaded any new programs. I do this for every program I install.
I use ERUNT to backup my registry.

Answer 5

I ran it and got a warning. There is active content, which could be as innocent as an active link or media plug-in, or malicious software.
You should have active spyware/antivirus running anytime you are online.

Answer 6

I HAVE gotten a virus through download.com so I would scan it with a virus scanner and spyware scanner if you have one as soon as you download it.

Answer 7

I think anything from download.com is safe.

Answer 8

almoust everything yoy download from download.com or softpedia.com is secure
so do it

Answer 9

ya.. u can trust download.com n download anything fom there...

Answer 10

no.