Free Software - Really Free??

A family member frequents a site of a "Digital Guru" who often gives out bogus information. This person is supposed to be an "expert" on all things computer. However, every time this person recommends something and my family member attempts to do it or use it, the product or technique backfires and it is ME who has to come bail the family member out. I have seen this happen with other people too. I should be charging the Guru for the time I spend correcting things that the Guru recommended and that ultimately blew up!

Example, this so-called guru recommends free Anti virus software. I personally do not. I am emphatically opposed to these "free" av, malware, adware, etc programs. I have found that the free versions simply "detect" (and god knows if they are detecting or fabricating) problems. The software will hapily "remove" your problems and correct your issues if you "register" and pay a fee. And often, you will find that these programs that find problems are indeed phishing programs that infect your computer in an effort to get credit card information from you. The authors then use this information to rack up vast charges on your credit cards.

To be sure, I recommend using ONLY reputable, professional programs to protect your PC from threats. These include Norton products (anti-virus, internet security, 360, etc). I use "log me in" for remote control, along with some other remote control programs. These programs ARE free. But I have been using them for years and they deliver on what they promise and don't do anythimg malicious.

Bottom line is in most cases, common sense dictates that you go with reputable software, and be careful of sites with free antivirus, registry scanning, or other types of software. And be careful what the "Digital Gurus" or "Goddesses" tell you to do. Sometimes they only recommend the programs that advertise on their sites.

Peace,
Dave