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As regular readers of this blog already know, I’m a huge fan of free software.
And thanks to the Internet there are thousands of great free programs available for instant download right onto our computers.
But truth be told, much of that “free” software isn’t actually free.
While it’s true that we can download tons of free programs without having to lay out any cash, we often end up paying in other ways. [Read more…]
Regular readers of this blog know that I’m a huge fan of free software.
In fact, I download, test and write about free programs and apps all the time.
That being said, installing free software can sometimes causes problems.
For instance, poorly written code can cause “memory leaks”, system instability and a host of other problems.
That’s why it’s important to check out any user reviews that are available before installing a new piece of free software. [Read more…]
If you’re like me you love installing free software and trying it out.
And why not? After all, it’s free!
That means if you don’t like a program you’ve downloaded you can simply uninstall it and you won’t be out as much a cent!
But there’s a problem with installing many free programs and apps: They tend to install a bunch of junkware along with them if you aren’t careful.
It’s a well-known fact that the online world is riddled with malware these days.
That means if your PC is connected to the Internet it’s constantly at risk of being exposed to viruses, trojans, spyware, ransomware and other forms of malicious software.
Luckily, you can reduce the risks posed my malware by learning how to avoid phishing emails and social engineering ploys. But sadly, that just isn’t enough to keep your computer free of malware. [Read more…]
Have you noticed that your computer has been running slower, displaying pop-up ads or exhibiting other strange behavior of late?
If so, the reason could be “junkware” such as toolbars, adware, browser hijackers and/or other malware items have infected your PC with their digital crud.
While most high-quality anti-malware programs will detect and remove some of the most common junkware programs, they typically won’t catch them all.
But an awesome free tool called AdwCleaner (from the folks at Malwarebytes) will find and remove virtually all of the junkware that’s currently out there with just a couple of clicks! [Read more…]