Can downloading really destroy your computer?

Question

I want to download this IM but dad said it could destroy my computer, is that true?

Answer 1

it won't destroy ur comp. but it might make it slow
and usually when u download somthing it'll download crap u don't know about or want ...

Answer 2

It can, even from major company's trusted sites. My best friend downloaded a music service that is owned by Viacom (one of the biggest company's in music, movies, and TV) and when she did so, someone snuck a worm into her computer. She didn't know until her computer started running incorrectly and her banking info was taken. She had just paid a ton of money for it because it was custom build by a computer specialist and after the worm, she had to have her whole computer wiped out and now she is left with a very very expensive paperweight that was once a computer.

It is rarely the program itself that you are downloading, if it is something like Yahoo IM or AIM, but sometimes hackers can piggy-back onto your computer that way.

If it is something like AIM or Yahoo IM, contact them and see if you can get a disk with the program on it instead of just downloading form the internet. It may lessen the risk of getting a worm or virus.

Answer 3

It really depends on WHAT you are downloading. Certain thing can be downloaded without destroying your computer....others will destroy your computer. Unfortunately...the only way to find out is the hard way. Try it...and if Windows dies...then you know not to do that again.

99.9% of the time....a download will not cause permanent damage to a computer...in other words...most of the time...it can be fixed no matter how bad it may seem.

Answer 4

What you're dad's talking about is downloading a virus that can really screw up your computer but it won't damage it physically it'll just cause a lot and I mean a lot of problems if it has to be formatted after a virus it can take weeks to get it running properly again not to mention any data you may loose

Answer 5

Do you mean with P2P client like Limewire? These P2P clients can make your PC run slower as one of the defaults is to make your PC a "hub" meaning other downloads will pass through your PC and Internet connection.
As for just downloading from web sites, make sure you know what you have as some harmful software uses Trojans, in other words they disguise themselves as pictures or film clips. You download the file and it is really a harmful program.

Answer 6

No, themes can never destroy your computer, But please scan the downloaded theme packs for virus & trojans before installing, One thing important I would like to add that, downloaded theme packs sometime replaces the original pre-installed default themes. Always remember, original themes by Microsoft are the best ones. I had installed many available themes, they are quite attractive but no theme is perfect, there are always some loopholes in theme packs. So try to install only Microsoft theme packs, They are the Best .... the other themes you will like only for few days, but Microsoft themes are evergreen... Have a Nice Day......

Answer 7

If you download a program that has a virus included, it can destroy the computer.

Answer 8

it depends on what you download.
only download reputable and well known software.
if your downloading an instant messenger, download messenger 7 from the microsoft site.

downloading over time does slow down your computer but this can be easily fixed by clearing it up.

your dad is wrong!

Answer 9

Downloading erroneous software can cause problems, or the downloads which come with malware packaged to them. If you download something from a trusted site, like microsoft, AOL , etc..you should not have any problems(provided you know what you are downloading).

Answer 10

If you accidentally download a virus. It may slow down your computer. Make sure whatever you download is a good name. Don't download anything that would give you a virus.

Answer 11

No, downloading will not destroy your computer. However, you SHOULD be responsible and only download from reputable sites. Adware, spyware, viruses, and malware can be attached to various programs, and these can DEFINITELY cause problems. Always keep your antivirus up to date and only download from sites you can trust.