This page contains information about free screensaver downloads and the associated risks from spyware, adware and malware. We feel it is important to make users aware of the risks involved when downloading a free screensaver onto your computer. We also recommend how to safeguard against the threat of spyware and adware by using appropriate anti-malware applications. All downloadable content on screensavers-free.co.uk is 100% spyware and adware free.
Screensavers-free can guarantee 100% that no spyware, adware or malware of any kind is hidden on our screensavers. How can we to do this? The installation process for screensavers-free screensavers is very simple! There is one executable installation file that places your downloaded screensaver in the correct location on your computer to allow you to choose it as your new favorite screensaver. There are no other programs installed and your computer's registry remains untouched during installation. Our screensavers have also been awarded the softpedia.com 100% clean award, independently issued to applications found to be 100% spyware, adware and virus free. Further installation details can be found here.
And that's it, the screensaver will be safely installed on your computer, spyware and adware free. You can then set it from the properties menu on your desktop.
Free screensavers are the perfect applications to hide spyware and adware. When a screensaver is installed using an executable file application, the user can unknowingly be installing spyware and adware onto their computer as well. This is because the installation process is not transparent - the user does not know what programs are being installed on their computer because this process is being hidden from them. Once the malicious software ( nicknamed malware ) is installed, it will then run in the background with the user oblivious to its actions.
Some free screensaver download sites advertise spyware-free screensaver downloads but ask the downloader to install adware as part of the free screensaver download package. The adware could potentially be regarded as spyware in itself.
A number of sites will guarantee their screensaver software is spyware and adware free but the user should be very wary when the downloaded screensaver file comes in the form of an executable file. This may contain malicious software, the installation of which the average internet user will be completely unaware of; and once the spyware and adware is installed on a computer it is difficult to trace how and when it got there. This allows any site suspected of offering unwanted malware with its screensavers to plead its innocence due to lack of evidence. So what is any guarantee worth if the consequences of not honoring it can be excused or avoided? Not very much at all in the case of screensaver executable files.
Malware is a hybrid of the phrase " malicious software ". Malware is an all encompassing catch-all term to describe any program whose function is at least partially malicious. Spyware and Adware are types of malware. Malware also includes viruses, worms and trojans.
Spyware is a type of malicious software designed to intercept or take partial control of a computer's operation and information trail without the informed consent of the computer's owner or legitimate user. Spyware represents a wide range of software ranging from the relatively harmless to the highly dangerous. It does not self replicate like worms or viruses but can be equally destructive if not more so.
In it's least malicious form spyware is used as a marketing tool to help organizations gain feedback from the operations of computer users. This might be something like gaining access to a computer's internet browser history. Organizations then use this information for commercial gain, using the recorded data to develop more effective advertising projects for example.
At its most destructive and dangerous, spyware can perform real-time tracking and recording from a remote location of all the keyboard presses made on an unsuspecting user's computer - including the recording of private and personal information such as usernames, passwords and bank account details. This data can then be used for criminal purposes against the computer user. This remote control is obtained by the installation of trojan programs or RATS (remote access trojans) when a free screensaver download is installed.
(In)famous examples of spyware are: CoolWebSearch, Internet Optimizer, 180 Solutions, HuntBar
Spyware creators and partners try to make it as difficult as possible for the average internet user to spot if they are installing or have installed spyware on their computers. A partial solution is to install a good spyware detection program that, as its name, suggests checks for and removes any spyware installed on an infected computer. It will also make the computer immune to all known spyware attacks. It is important to use good spyware detection software and it is best practice to obtain a trusted recommendation and then back this up with a precautionary web search before choosing a program. Some software applications claiming to be spyware removal tools are actually spyware themselves. These are :- SpywareStrike and PSGuard. Do not, we repeat, DO NOT install these programs on your computer!
The best spyware removal tools can be found looking through the programs advertised on this page and backing up your findings with a quick web search to get some rounded and unbiased feedback about them.
Our recommendation for a free spyware removal program is: SPYBOT: Search and Destroy. It is completely free and also includes an update facility - vitally important for keeping one step ahead of the new spyware finding its way onto the internet.
Adware is essentially a type of spyware. Adware is software usually bundled with freeware and shareware programs ( such as free screensaver downloads) to help recoup development funds for the program creators. As opposed to spyware, adware is usually added to a computer with the user's full awareness and consent as part of the free screensaver download - in exchange for installing the adware they get the software they need for free or at a reduced price. However, the various functions and behaviour of adware after installation are never fully explained to the user.
Much of the adware on the internet is also spyware. Adware can slow down an infected computer's internet browser, by bombarding it with unwanted pop-up windows as the user is browsing the internet.An example of adware is Gator. It is not particularly malicious and regarded as more of a pest, as is most adware.
Our recommendation for a free adware removal program is: Ad-Aware .
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