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Is it safe to try new freeware?

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clif_notes:
This is an article I plan to publish to an audience of 250,000. Comments / Critique appreciated.

Is it safe to try new freeware?

How do I safely try new freeware? Trying out new free software is sometimes risky. True freeware is typically safe to use. Sometimes greedy or misguided people don't tell you that free means free with added spyware or adware. If you've gotten your software from a trusted source, you won't typically have to go through a lot of preparation. I sometimes try out stuff that I don't really trust, and when that happens, I break out the big guns.

Always be protected

Some safety devices are always running on my PC.
* Firewall - NAT Router
* Anti-Virus - free versions
* Intrusion Detection - WinPatrol
* Anti-Spyware Detection - SpyCatcher Express

Many people recommend using a software firewall and hardware firewall in tandem. This let's you know when new programs try to "phone home" to access the web. Two good free software firewalls are ZoneAlarm and Kerio. I don't use them, but I probably should.

Preparing to install

Before installing a new freeware program I don't trust, I do the following to make sure I remove any spyware or adware I wasn't aware I had.

* Scan my PC with AdAware and SpyBot S&D
* Run a HijackThis log and save the log file somewhere safe
Note: HijackThis should be used with caution. Incorrect use can crash a PC or create a whole series of hard to fix problems.

The above scans give me some confidence that I am malware free before I start installing. After scanning, I also think it's a good idea to set a restore point or make a backup of the system.

Installing

* Run Total Uninstall and use it to monitor the installation the new freeware program.

Total Uninstall will allow me to uninstall the files and registry keys the new freeware program puts on my PC. It will work even if the program doesn't include it's own good uninstaller.

After trying out the software

I uninstall any software I don't want, I repeat the HiJackThis scan and compare it with the previous scan to see if anything unusual pops up. Then I might run the AdAware and SpyBot once again just to be safe. If I'm really paranoid, I might search for root kits with RootkitRevealer.

It ain't foolproof

These trials don't always go as planned. A freeware fanatic like me should keep good backups just in case something goes horribly wrong. A safer method to test software is to use a PC that is set up for testing software. This test PC would always start in a known good configuration that is backed up so that it can be restored to the same good configuration after testing. I've been told running new programs on a virtual machine also works well.

I hope some of these ideas or freeware programs help you out if you ever decide to download something off the beaten tracks.

mouser:
I've been told running new programs on a virtual machine also works well.
--- End quote ---

cliff i consider this to be THE most important tool for people who test software a lot.
to my mind it is really the safest way to test software.

there are also some sandbox tools discussed recently on the forum: https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=3176.msg22472#msg22472

personally i am wary of these apps that try to protect programs from altering file system and registry, and/or cleaning up afterwards; i just worry that it's hard to do so reliably and without interfering with real functionality.

by far i'd still say that a virtual machine is the most surefire and painless way to do it, just click a button to reset the machine to the state it was in before you installed, and no worry of it messing with your real computer.

it's also increasingly reasonable to actually buy a spare pc (but a super cheap old laptop?) and test software on that.

clif_notes:
I didn't really set out to tell folks the absolute best ways to try new stuff out. I think my main thrust was to show that anyone can try stuff out with a few (freeware) precautions.

Maybe that doesn't come across well, but the info is there for those who might benefit.

Thanks for your sage input, as always, you cut to the chase.

mouser:
your advice about running a program like total uninstall is good, as is keeping backups.  i like the idea of a checklist:

before installing and testing software you are not 10000% convinced you want to keep installed:
1) update your antivirus definitions
2) make sure you have a firewall installed and running
3) run an uninstaller type program to take a snapshot of your installations
4) make a backup of your computer
5) install program, reboot if advised too (i.e. dont ignore this)
6) test program thoroughly
7) uninstall promptly if you dont like it (rather than wait until 10 more programs are installed on top of it).  reboot if advised too.

alternatively, if you have a virtual machine: just install and play to see if its something you want on your real pc.

ps. because of all the steps involved, especially #4, i like to test programs in batches, right after i do my monthly backup of my computer.

brotherS:
This is an article I plan to publish to an audience of 250,000.
-clif_notes (April 15, 2006, 02:48 AM)
--- End quote ---
Wow, nice!

I like the article, just add one more sentence about what mouser said.

And btw, the URLs in your post are broken, you added them in a strange way: http://"http://www. isn't working ;)

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