Okay I downloaded Ding from Southwest off the internet for an upcoming trip we are taking. I am trying to get the best airfares and the only way to know Southwest's really good specials is to download ding! I causually mentioned it to me husband and he had a fit. He was like you never download stuff off the internet blah blah blah! Anyway you guys are way more computer savy then me so I thought I would ask. My feeling is thousands of people have probably done this. It's a well known company I don't think they would put out a program they thought could harm people's computers. I sure hope you all tell me I am right or I may be eating my words and kissing dh's butt for awhile.

By Palmbchprincess on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 09:20 pm:

I download all sorts of things, as long as I know the company, and read the user agreement. The only real problem you run into with things like that are spyware bundles, like downloaded games will come bundled with Gator or Weathercast. I wouldn't worry about the program from Southwest, I agree with you it's unlikely to be corrupted with a virus, but you should run a spyware scan (like Ad-Aware) to make sure nothing else snuck in. Then again, you should run those regularly anyway.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 07:38 am:

I download stuff all the time. New versions of Adaware, ZoneAlarm, printer drivers, mostly updates of stuff I have. We don't ever have a problem. If you have anti-virus software, you shouldn't have to worry.

By Feonad on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 07:43 am:

I don't know that software but some are really bad... they are impossible to get off the computer
or /
and they spy on you like gator...

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 07:46 am:

We download things all the time too, and we run several programs daily such as Norton, Adaware, Spybot and BHODemon to keep the computer cleaned up.

By Unschoolmom on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 07:52 am:

It's not the downloading that's not safe, it's the lack of precautions taken.

What I do when I download (and I do it a LOT and from much riskier sources) I download to a folder I created just for that. I then run a scan on the folder with AVG for viruses. I don't think you'll need the folder but do make sure you scan it right away.

The other concern with downloading is spyware, malware, adware, etc. that may be bundled with your download. So READ the License Agreement when you go to install. It may say right in that whether you'll be adding adware or other junk to your computer when you install the program. And do this especially with stuff you'd be inclined to trust. They're just as likely to add stuff you don't want but are much more likely to be upfront about it in the license agreement.

And download more stuff. Get Adaware and Spybot for the spyware/malware. Both are free and really good.

Your husbands fear isn't unwarranted but it's not informed either.

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 10:00 am:

Ditto unschoolmom.
I download stuff all the time. Just make sure you have lots of protective software installed on your system. Spybot(mentioned above) is great, and definitely have an anti-spyware proram as well as virus protection.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 05:04 pm:

We have AVG anti-virus, Zone Alarm for a firewall, and run Adaware often. We rarely have a problem.

It's Gary's friends and co-workers who don't update their anti-virus programs that really mess up their computers.

By Cocoabutter on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 06:15 pm:

unschoolmom hit it on the nail. So to speak.

I have a new program called Spy Sweeper.

WebrootWebsite

You can buy it at Best Buy if you don't want to download it. It works just like anti-virus. It monitors your computer constantly while you are on the internet and will alert you if if detects spyware or changes to IE, then you tell it to keep it or remove it.

You have to take all the precautions you can these days on the web, and that means firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware. And most important is to make sure you keep them all updated, and update them just before you run a scan, which should be at least once a week.

It is a lot of trouble, but I have all that and I haven't had any problems with downloading stuff.

You also have to be aware of the websites you download from. Only download from websites that are reputable or that you trust.

By Ginny~moderator on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 06:17 pm:

Here is a link to a lengthy post I made about AdAware, Spybot, ZoneAlarm (all 3 free), and handling cookies, all in the interest of internet security. It includes a link where you can download them. Note: AdAware now also includes minimum threats in its options for identifying spyware, but if you tell it to delete the minimum threats you will be deleting things like your list of frequently used web pages that shows up when you click the down arrow in your address window, so think twice before you do that. And, if you have cable internet, the ZoneAlarm firewall may not be compatible, but your cable or DSL provider may have a firewall or can tell you which ones are compatible.

http://www.momsview.com/discus/messages/41/31965.html#POST187613

As for anti-virus programs, I personally prefer Symantec's Norton anti-virus program, others prefer AVG or McAfee. What is important is that you check for updates weekly and download them when offered, keep the a-v program active at all times including checking incoming emails.

I do download some programs from the internet, from trusted sites. And I usually run both Spybot and Adaware after downloading, because sometimes these programs, even from trusted sites (like Shockwave), come with spyware. As long as you keep your anti-virus program up to date, have a firewall, run the anti-spyware programs at least once a month, and set your cookie handling, you should have no problems. I get maybe 3 pieces of spyware every 4-5 months, and I am on the internet constantly at work and home. Oh, and check your cookie file to delete cookies you don't want on your computer, though the anti-spyware programs will probably delete a whole lot of them.

(Momsview puts a "session" cookie on your computer, so that when you log in your username and password are automatically entered for posting purposes, but if you don't want that, you can enter your username and password the first time you post each session and it will keep you entered for the rest of that session.)

By Ginny~moderator on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 06:18 pm:

Oh, and Spysweeper is pretty good too, and there is a free version.