29 August 2006
Not So Free Results
Everyone has done it at one time or another, you're searching for images, screensavers or even software and you want it free. What do you type in the search, "free images". The question is, do you actually receive a free service?
It seems that these free sites have a tendency to not be so free for users, even if the user doesn't realize it. Free games and screensavers have a tendency to have free spyware or adware included. Sites with free electronic cards can send your email address to other groups who will send free spam. Some sites will also attract you with some free things such as ringtones and then require you to have a paid subscription to actually get the ringtones for example.
When using the term "free screensavers", "free music", or "free ringtones" all return malicious sites while "free screensavers" has over half of its results leading to malicious files.
It seems that these free sites have a tendency to not be so free for users, even if the user doesn't realize it. Free games and screensavers have a tendency to have free spyware or adware included. Sites with free electronic cards can send your email address to other groups who will send free spam. Some sites will also attract you with some free things such as ringtones and then require you to have a paid subscription to actually get the ringtones for example.
When using the term "free screensavers", "free music", or "free ringtones" all return malicious sites while "free screensavers" has over half of its results leading to malicious files.
