Software sites

common usage for download web fronts for software, often common software for Windows users, as opposed to app stores for Android or Macusers.
* Posted by u/TerabyteSolidState 5 years ago What's the deal with sites like CNET, Softonic, and Download.com? Are they safe? What is their purpose? I've heard stuff about those sites being sketchy and this that and the other, but really, are they safe? What purpose do they serve, and how is downloading a program from say CNET different from downloading directly from the software developer site?
- CNET / Download.com / ZDNET: all 3 of them are more or less the same since are owned by the same company, CBS Interactive. Softonic is a Spanish company with the same purpose as above sites which is to offer software downloads over the web.5 yr. ago· What's the deal with sites like CNET, Softonic, and Download.com? Are they safe? What is their purpose? : software (reddit.com)
Now about the safeness controversy: Download.com / ZDNET / CNET offer trial (30 free to try software), as well as Open Source and freeware software (free to use without any limitations); but there are few aspects worth mentioning: in my experience, over 15 years dealing with software of all kind, Download.com / ZDNET / CNET have very little control over what software are they offering or simply, their editors doesn't care. Often the software available on Download.com / ZDNET / CNET are bundled with toolbars, ads and other unwanted components while keeping the users uninformed about what are they carrying.
Softonic play the same game more or less, meaning that a lot of the software available on their site is bundled with ads or a modified (monetized) setup/installer version so they can pay the bills but, in the same time, people are unaware of that kind of practice, and often a lot users which downloaded their modified installers complain about ads , spyware and other annoying elements.
As for download safety:
Use SnapFiles.com - they also offer perhaps a little over 3% of software which carries ads but, in contrast with the other sites from above, those files are clearly marked as containing sponsored offers which are easy to uninstall or to remove.
Another good one is Softpedia.com - the same with SnapFiles.com - their software library is bigger and thus the percent of sponsored software available is bigger.
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* software.informer.com is this a safe website to download software? : Scams (reddit.com) ·3 mo. ago | The site has been around for a long time, is very popular, but has very low ratings. Apparently, the Downloader app collects information about your computer and usage that is sold to marketers.
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* App store
* List of software; malware; disturbing software
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