Why Download Helpers Often Come With Malware

pczone.co.uk:

To many, download managers come as a blessing. They help in downloading content online that would otherwise be impossible to download from the source.

Contrary to popular belief, these downloaders are not a bed of roses. They are simply freeware which aids online downloads, and freeware has been proven to be malware in disguise.

Since most download managers come for free, they are bundled with advertisements, toolbars, and adware, which are mostly used to generate some revenue for the programs. Some managers are filled with even worse malware, such as zip bomb, which can crash the program or system that attempts to unzip or decompress the file.

So, what can you do to ensure that malware that comes with download helpers don’t affect the performance of your PC?

Having an anti-virus or anti-malware software is the first step towards ensuring that malware that comes with download helpers doesn’t compromise the functionality of your PC.

But sometimes, you might have an anti-malware program, but still have files in your computer infected. To prevent this, make sure you don’t choose the first anti-malware program you come across. Ensure you do thorough research and choose the best there is in the market. 

Even if you purchase the best anti-malware software, you will not prevent viruses from affecting your files and hardware if you don’t keep it up-to-date.

Cybercriminals might create a free download helper that will detect a weakness in an outdated anti-malware software so that they can get access to critical information.

The best way to ensure that your anti-virus is updated at all times is to switch on the automatic update option, which is available in all popular programs.

Sometimes, you trust your anti-malware program too much,