| There are many websites online that offer free | | | | Adware: Adware is a little less scary than spyware, |
| screensavers for download. The question remains | | | | though no less annoying to the average computer |
| though, are those screensavers safe? By | | | | user. Adware programs will continually display popups |
| downloading and installing these so called free | | | | and unwanted adverts while you are browsing. |
| screensavers will any harm come to your computer? | | | | Sometimes you may not even realise that you have |
| This is a legitimate concern, which needs to be | | | | adware unless you notice an excessive amount of |
| addressed before any user even thinks about | | | | popups during your normal surfing (where there were |
| installing a free screensaver. | | | | no popups before). |
| There are several malicious programs which can | | | | Toolbars: Finally we have toolbars, which is a mixed |
| come bundled with a free screensaver. These will | | | | basket. Some toolbars are actually quite useful, such |
| mainly be viruses, spyware, adware, and toolbars. | | | | as the Google Toolbar, or some that offer increased |
| There are a few variations within these programs, | | | | entertainment experience like the StumbleUpon |
| but in the main they are considered undesirable, | | | | toolbar. Having said that, there are other toolbars |
| unless the user specifically requests them. And out of | | | | which are used as a means of displaying ads and are |
| that list, the only one that you would even consider | | | | hard to uninstall. Some of these unwanted toolbars |
| installing would be a friendly toolbar. But more on that | | | | come bundled with free screensavers or software, |
| later. | | | | often from some so called ‘big name’ |
| Below is a brief run-down of each type of malicious | | | | companies. |
| programs that you would want to avoid: | | | | It is extremely important that you do your research |
| Viruses: These must be avoided at all costs as they | | | | before you download screensavers. Read the Terms |
| can detrimentally harm your computer, often to the | | | | of Service, and Conditions of Use on the websites, |
| point of losing unrecoverable data. If you are afraid | | | | as companies are required by law to inform users |
| of being infected with viruses, only download | | | | what they would be installing. |
| software from trusted sites where programs are | | | | Make sure you read the fine print. Not just what is |
| verified and tested, such as at also host their own | | | | on the download page. Sometimes they will say |
| files, which means that software cannot be altered | | | | ‘No spyware’, but they do not mention |
| at a later date to include any viruses. | | | | anything about adware. Are you prepared to put up |
| Spyware: These are programs which are used to | | | | with some (or a lot) of advertisements for a free |
| unethically track and spy on your internet online | | | | screensaver? Most people certainly should not. |
| activities. The data can then be sold to advertisers or | | | | Download completely free screensavers at Wallpaper |
| used to change your browser and computer | | | | Screensavers. They are adware and spyware free |
| functions. Spyware is one of the worst type of | | | | and their free screensavers are updated on a weekly |
| bundled software, and can be difficult to remove. | | | | basis. |