Download Sites you Trust

[BornMember]

Hi all

Just want to know which sites you TRUST to download software from.

Cheers

[Eldar]

Some I visit regularly:
- SnapFiles (http://www.webattack.com/)
- SoftPedia (http://www.softpedia.com/)

Sometimes Download.com (http://www.download.com/) (according to their new policy most software should be clean) :)

And FileForum (http://fileforum.betanews.com/) for the latest Beta releases and news. :D

As always I don't trust any site I download from.
Everything is scanned before using it.
Call me a maniac. ;D ;)

[bigc73542]

several thousand apps here. I have used this site with no problems for several years. here (http://www.winsite.com/free/) ( WinSite)

[dog]

I'll add a couple:

http://www.betanews.com/
http://sourceforge.net/
http://www.majorgeeks.com/

*puppy*

[the Tester]

The two that I use the most are Snapfiles and Major Geeks (http://www.majorgeeks.com/)

[iceni60]

here's some more, they are all safe to download from:
http://shellcity.net/
http://www.freewarearena.com/
http://www.sover.net/~wysiwygx/index.html
http://www.webgrid.co.uk/
http://www.321download.com/
http://lists.gpick.com/
http://www.klitetools.com/
http://pricelesswarehome.org/
http://www.buzzys.net/
http://www.nonags.com/nonags/
http://www.foundstone.com/resources/freetools.htm
http://radified.com/Articles/freeware.htm

[FanJ]

May I go a little bit off-topic and give a general warning?
Most probably it isn't needed, but anyhow...

You always have to be careful about which program you download.

Only an example:
Let's have a look at www.321download.com
What does its mainpage shows you at the moment?
At the bottom it tells you about the "Best Sellers".
What do you see there for example: a program called SpyBlocs.
And now have a look at the Spyware-Warrior site Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products (http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#products)
You will find SpyBlocs at that list of Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products.

Once again, this was only meant as a general warning to be careful which program you download.

[iceni60]

{QUOTE-> May I go a little bit off-topic and give a general warning?
Most probably it isn't needed, but anyhow...

You always have to be careful about which program you download.

Only an example:
Let's have a look at www.321download.com
What does its mainpage shows you at the moment?
At the bottom it tells you about the "Best Sellers".
What do you see there for example: a program called SpyBlocs.
And now have a look at the Spyware-Warrior site Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products (http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#products)
You will find SpyBlocs at that list of Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products.

Once again, this was only meant as a general warning to be careful which program you download. <-QUOTE}

thanks, now i feel bad, i was going to give the old versions link on the left of the page which i know is safe and there are other links there that are safe too but i was lazy. thanks though :)

[FanJ]

{QUOTE-> thanks, now i feel bad, i was going to give the old versions link on the left of the page which i know is safe and there are other links there that are safe too but i was lazy. thanks though :) <-QUOTE}

Hey iceni60,

Please, don't feel bad !!!
It was absolutely not meant to make you, or anyone else, feel bad !!!
Please be assured of that iceni60 !
It was just only a general warning and an example, nothing more than that.

Warm regards, Jan.

[iceni60]

{QUOTE-> Hey iceni60,

Please, don't feel bad !!!
It was absolutely not meant to make you, or anyone else, feel bad !!!
Please be assured of that iceni60 !
It was just only a general warning and an example, nothing more than that.

Warm regards, Jan. <-QUOTE}
yeah i know, Jan. i don't feel that bad, just alittle :)

[eyes-open]

A couple of the sites mentioned Softpedia and Shell City whilst excellent, still require that the user use some judgement.

Notice here at Softpedia (http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Back-Up-and-Recovery/Easy-File-Backup.shtml) that the software is both given a clean bill of health and at the same time comes with warnings of possible third party applications to watch out for in the install process. I don't wish to downplay Softpedia and accept that the program itself may be excellent and clean - I just point out that the user must still approach some Softpedia software with due caution and read all the notes.

At Shell Extension City (http://www.shellcity.net/) , another excellent site that I visit regularly, you should try to investigate the software for yourself before downloading. Yet again some great stuff, but if you read the policy you will see the following:-

{QUOTE-> "At Shell Extension City we do not provide programs, but only links to sites where you can download programs. And we do not test every program listed. Our information about most of these programs comes from the developer or from the developer's site, and we're in no position to verify that information. So you should understand that you download and install any program listed on this site at your own risk." <-QUOTE}

Not to put anyone off, they're great sites - just to illustrate that even 'trusted' sites should be approached with some care.

[Paul2]

About Softpedia :

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=FREECODECS+SOFTPEDIA++COPY+AND+PASTE&btnG=Search

http://img276.echo.cx/img276/2262/thiefsoftpedia9uv.gif

Also if you doubt something just stay a single day in the front of your pc and monitorize this sites :

Major Geeks
FileForum
Neowin

Softpedia its nothing else than copy and paste from others ( from MG, FF & Neowin ), take care what site you browse and download from .

[ronjor]

Majorgeeks

http://www.karenware.com/

[Cammi]

http://www.klitetools.com/

Kool Lite tools website because does not contain any spyware/adaware .

http://pricelesswarehome.org/

Pricelessware is also a good freeware site without crap .

http://sourceforge.net/

Sourceforge , who doesn't know it ?

[squash]

Download.com
Snapfiles
Softpedia
Majorgeeks
Soruceforge

In that order (from most reputable)

[gerardwil]

Not a special download site in general. But I have a look at this site http://lists.gpick.com/index.html every now and then, specially at the "new or Updated Links". I guess most of us are that paranoid and using a lot of anti-crap tools we don't bother that much ;D
That said I agree with most sites mentioned in your postings.
Cheers,

Gerard

[AnthonyG]

I received an email from Download.com a couple of weeks back saying they will test every program they promote and if it has got any adaware, spyware they wont list it.

Seems like a good site

[gerardwil]

I copied these links from spywarewarrior:

Most if not all of the "adware-supported" or "advertising-supported" applications on the Net have adware-free equivalents. There's simply no need to use advertising-supported applications. If you're looking for truly free software without any unwanted surprises, see the following sites:

CleanSoftware.org
OldVersion.com
FreeWindows.dk
The OpenCD
GNUWin II
The OSSWin Project
Moochers

[squash]

{QUOTE-> I copied these links from spywarewarrior:

Most if not all of the "adware-supported" or "advertising-supported" applications on the Net have adware-free equivalents. There's simply no need to use advertising-supported applications. If you're looking for truly free software without any unwanted surprises, see the following sites:

CleanSoftware.org
OldVersion.com
FreeWindows.dk
The OpenCD
GNUWin II
The OSSWin Project
Moochers <-QUOTE}

Yes, now I remember! :D I also use Oldversion.com and GNUWinII (but now dead)

[stalker]

Here is a list of my favorite sites with "multi downloads"...


http://www.soft32.com
http://www.softpedia.comh
http://freewarearena.org
http://www.download.com
http://www.webgrid.co.uk
http://www.tucows.com
http://www.utilitygeek.com
http://sourceforge.net
http://www.filelight.com
http://www.getyourfile.com
http://www.tinyapps.org
http://www.majorgeeks.com
http://www.snapfiles.com
http://www.softwareshelf.com
http://www.freebiedirectory.com
http://www.freestuffer.com
http://www.freewarefiles.com
http://www.freewarehome.com
http://www.freewarepub.net/Freeware.htm
http://www.protect-me.com/freeware.html
http://www.thebestfree.net
http://www.thefreesite.com
http://www.webmasterfree.com


The list is taken from my home-site, the "links.html" section - if you are interested in other favorite links of mine, please go/see here: http://users.volja.net/tayiper/links.html


cheers all, stalker

[squash]

Updated.
In order from the one I trust to the least.

Author's/Company website
CNET Download.com
GNUWinII
Tinyapps
Snapfiles
Softpedia
Oldversion.com
Majorgeeks
Sourceforge

[mercurie]

All,
Pretty much the same here as some have already stated. Below for me:

Download.com
Snapfiles
Majorgeeks

Good informational poll! ;)

[akor]

i'm using http://www.softhall.com for tools and http://www.free-download-game.com for games.

[colorado13]

1.http://www.betanews.com/

2.http://www.majorgeeks.com/

3.http://www.321download.com/

4.http://www.lostcoders.net/

[chrisretusn]

{QUOTE-> Just want to know which sites you TRUST to download software from. <-QUOTE}I do not TRUST any site.

I do download from several of the sites already mentioned. These are the download sites I have visited in the last 30 days (in no particular order):

FileForum (http://fileforum.betanews.com/)
SnapFiles (http://www.snapfiles.com/)
MajorGeeks (http://www.majorgeeks.com/)
Download.com (http://www.download.com/)
Pricelessware (http://www.pricelessware.org/)
NONAGS (http://www.nonags.com/)
SourceForge (http://sourceforge.net/)
Freeware Home (http://www.freewarehome.com/)

[ErikAlbert]

I also trust this website.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46_free_utilities.htm

[muf]

These are the sites i've used and have bookmarked. Never had any problems with any of them. There's some duplicates of one's already mentioned, but there's a few others you may like. :D

In no particular order...

http://lists.gpick.com/index.html
http://www.securityworm.com/software/
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/main-nf.htm
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/browse/0,cat,1427,sortIdx,1,00.asp
http://www.5star-shareware.com/
http://www.sofotex.com/
http://dmoz.org/Computers/Software/
http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/
http://www.snapfiles.com/
http://www.download.com/
http://www.majorgeeks.com/

muf

[ErikAlbert]

Dear members,
Thanks for all the trusted links. I stored them all.

In return, I have to WARN you for this legitimate dangerous link :
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx
This webpage has a link called "Start anything you like" at the bottom.
This link refers to "ad.doubleclick.net", which is blacklisted in IE-SPYAD and MVPS Hosts.

Exhibit #1 - IE-SPYAD : *.doubleclick.net
Exhibit #2 - MVPS Hosts : 127.0.0.1 ad.doubleclick.net

MSIE wasn't enough, now the MS websites are trying to infect our computers.

[Pollmaster]

{QUOTE-> Dear members,
Thanks for all the trusted links. I stored them all.

In return, I have to WARN you for this legitimate dangerous link :
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx
This webpage has a link called "Start anything you like" at the bottom.
This link refers to "ad.doubleclick.net", which is blacklisted in IE-SPYAD and MVPS Hosts.

Exhibit #1 - IE-SPYAD : *.doubleclick.net
Exhibit #2 - MVPS Hosts : 127.0.0.1 ad.doubleclick.net

MSIE wasn't enough, now the MS websites are trying to infect our computers. <-QUOTE}

OMG, a doubleclick cookie! The sky is falling.

LOL.

[Infinity]

:) you better hide Pollmaster, or run very fast..

Thanx for the heads up Erik

[ErikAlbert]

Infinity,
When two softwares blacklist "doubleclick.net", I would rather believe them than Pollmaster. I don't take every post serious.

IE-SPYAD + MVPS Hosts are created for good reasons, otherwise we wouldn't need Restricted Zones and Hosts file either.
Any website that doesn't respect my privacy and/or tries to change my harddisk for that purpose, deserves to be mentioned on these lists and to be ignored by me, even when Microsoft refers to bad websites.
I don't see any difference between cookies, adware and spyware when they affect my privacy.

Both softwares protect me against visiting these bad websites, so I don't have to waste my time on removing the infections, caused by these websites and that is good enough for me.
So I don't need good or bad comments on both softwares anymore.
I need better comments to change my mind.

Even when I read qualified posts, I notice differences between security experts.
Which one do I have to believe ? Isn't that a problem everywhere on the net ?

[Infinity]

very true Erik, every Expert does have it's own skills.

regarding doubleclick, I don't want to have them on my pc. but it's easy to clean it.

I think for some people cookies are of less importance, hence I found Pollmaster's reply funny. and if I find something funny, I'll smile. that had nothing to do with your post.

That's why I thanked you for the heads up.

no prbs here :)

[wolf7]

I always prefer to download any program from the authors website if possible. Outside of that rule, I will sometimes download from Majorgeeks and Webattack (aka Snapfiles).

[taihaukau]

www.download.com

[Mrkvonic]

Hello,
The only ones I truly like and trust: sourceforge.net and related.
And my brother's site, of course.
Mrk

[PaulBB]

{QUOTE-> These are the sites i've used and have bookmarked. Never had any problems with any of them. There's some duplicates of one's already mentioned, but there's a few others you may like. :D

In no particular order...

http://www.5star-shareware.com/
http://www.sofotex.com/
http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/
http://www.download.com/

muf <-QUOTE}


freedownloadscenter.com - full with spyware
5star-shareware.com - shareware, useless
sofotex.com - full with spyware
download.com - My God, Download.com is the KING of spyware distributors.

[herbalist]

I avoid download sites whenever possible, preferring to use the vendors site. I pretty much have all the software I need so I don't download that much software anymore. When I do need to use one, I pick ones that work with a download manager, mainly when the files are large. Being that I'm using dialup service, I often need the ability to resume a download should my connection fail.
I'll trust most of the sites to deliver what I ask for, but it will be checked and go thru a monitored test install. I'm very hesitant to accept the "adware/spyware clean" claims made by download sites. A lot of them like to try to play on that fine line between clean software and adware sponsored. It too often depends on whose definition of adware or spyware they use, or like one adware remover did, renamed it all "consumerware". It doesn't matter where a given piece of software comes from or who the vendor is. Every download gets scanned both locally and online, then Inctrl 5 is used to monitor the install process. I also use a test registry (http://dogkennels.net/testrun/testrun.htm) if I'm installing on my primary unit. In the end, the majority of what I download gets deleted for one reason or another.
Rick

[TOMxEU]

I trust Softpedia (http://www.softpedia.com/), get info from FreewareFiles (http://www.freewarefiles.com/) and have homepages of my software in favorites.

[cobra_man]

I have tried Softake.com (http://www.softake.com) and looks ok.:thumb:

[TNT]

{QUOTE-> I trust Softpedia (http://www.softpedia.com/) <-QUOTE}You shouldn't.

[TOMxEU]

{QUOTE-> You shouldn't. <-QUOTE}
Why not? When they mark software with 100% Clean Award, I know, that I can instal it.

[TNT]

{QUOTE-> Why not? When they mark software with 100% Clean Award, I know, that I can instal it. <-QUOTE}100% Clean? Rubbish. They list Winfixer and RazeSpyware, both known malware, as 100& Clean. http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=121874

[TOMxEU]

I saw that they listed The Shield Pro (http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/The-Shield-Pro.shtml) (fake software), but it did not get 100% Clean Award.
Any webpage can list fake product, they do not know everything. I trust Softpedia at 100%.

[TNT]

{QUOTE-> I trust Softpedia at 100%. <-QUOTE}Well, what can I say. Then it is your problem, not mine.