I am new to this forum and now very concerned about the apparent lack of checking software. Is the software on this site safe to download? I would hate to get hit! How can I be sure that the software is safe?
Worried about GOTD
(15 posts) (9 voices)-
cassiebrennan
MemberPosted 16 years ago # -
Whiterabbit-uk
Games GuruHi cassiebrennan,
The giveaway team tests all software that's given away, and all the games I've posted links to, have been tested by me using a couple of commercial AV packages (F-Secure and Virgin Media). I only download from sites that are recognized as green using the WOT rating.
If you're worried about going to sites where you can get viri from, then download and add WOT to your web browser. It gives you a warning about whether viri or other malware has been reported after using that particular site. There's a few packages available. another one that a lot use is MacAfee’s site advisor, but I now prefer WOT as it seems more up to date and accurate. (WOT stands for Web of Trust)
You can download the WOT client for free from:
and the McAfee client from:
http://www.siteadvisor.com/download/ie2.html
As Archangel states, ensure your Anti Virus software is turne don before you download anything. If you're not happy, you can usually do a scan of each file you download by right clicking on it and select the AV tool from the drop down menu.
Posted 16 years ago # -
Spacepixie
MemberWhiterabbit thanks for all of the help, tips, games etc. that you give us here but do you have a way of speaking with a GOTD Team leader now, immediately about todays giveaway CaptainTrayPro and the fact that the supplied key does not register this program? I have posted and many, many have complained but nobody seems to be at home at GOTD. I have been waiting for them to fix this since it came online.
Posted 16 years ago # -
Whiterabbit-uk
Games GuruHi Spacepixie (great name), bolon has posted the old serial over in the following thread. It looks like the giveaway team are allowing it to stay up as it's also been posted in the comments section for several hours without being removed. That serial definitely works because I also had problems after repeately re-downloading and re-installing the software. But when using the old serial, it registered first time.
I'd hurry, just in case it is taken down though as i think it may be against forum rules. Follow the link below and search for bolons post (It's the sixth)
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3887
regards
Stephen
p.s.
I only have the same way of contacting the admins as yourself (via PM's). I post voluntarily here on the project. One of the admin's does give me a days notice over the weekend games sometimes, so that I can prepare a reasonable review in advance; which is then posted immediately on the game being posted so that everyone can read a reasonable review (though most posts don't get moderated for a few hours - I always post the reviews in the forums as well), but other than that I've no association with the Giveaway team.
Posted 16 years ago # -
cassiebrennan
MemberThanks all..but it seems there are some very grumpy users who have viri and spyware in the programmes and have had no response from the team at GOTD. This worries me greatly and I guess I just have to double check anything I download. It seems like such a great site which I came across by accident and as usual, there is no such thing as a free lunch! Thanks for the quick replies.
cPosted 16 years ago # -
triphammer
MemberTo be quite honest... you should check anything you download from the internet no matter how trustworthy you think the source is. Always have a firewall... antivirus.. and anti-spyware. There's plenty of free versions of all these types of programs out there. You should also be open minded enough to accept false positives if they exist.
Posted 16 years ago # -
cassiebrennan
Memberthanks triphammer. I do that already - but can you see my point? GOTD say its safe and it seems from what I've read that many people have experienced problems. I hate to keep harping but even with all the stuff I have I'd hate from something to get through. Why don't GOTD check the software thoroughly before uploading? Surely they have a duty of care to their "clients" to offer a safe product. If I can check, why can;t they? Anyway thats my last comment on the issue. Bye!
Posted 16 years ago # -
Whiterabbit-uk
Games GuruHi cassiebrennan, the giveaway team has already said that they thoroughly test their software using a variety of antivirus software. (I’m too busy to search for the threads, but they are there). Personally I've never had problems with any giveaway that I've downloaded from the giveaway project, and I use two different AV/Firewall software packages, one provided by my service provided Virgin Media, , called PC guard and also F-Secure, a reputable AV/firewall package. The site is tagged as dark green for excellent by the WEB of Trust (WOT) and now has a green rating from MacAfee’s Site Advisor (SA).
It was tagged as red for several months at McAfee; but that was because a user had posted a virus ridden freeware package over in the freeware library. That was removed as soon as it was discovered, but it took Site Advisor over 7 months to remove the red rating. I’ve come to trust the WOT rating much more than Site Advisor; so much so that I’ve removed site advisor from my computers.
You say that many people have experienced problems. From the flavor of your post I am assuming that you are saying that all these people have had problems with virus attacks due to downloading files recommended by the Giveaway team? If that was true then the site would certainly not be rated green. As has already been mooted after every report of a virus; the reports of viri have inevitably been shown to be false positives. It's unfortunate that a few instances such as those eventually become blown out of proportion into 'many'…… It just isn't true. What is true is the odd dissident voice is always heard over the many satisfied ones, but the reverse is rarely true. Please don't take my 'tirade' as an attack against you. I'm just trying to put things in perspective and allay your fears. There's a lot to enjoy about this site. I believe it’s unique and the best amongst the numerous download sites littering the WWW, but don’t ask me to justify it, lol. That’s jut my inner feelings coming out. :)
I admire your reluctance to trust, but you may end up missing many excellent bargains if you shy away too much. Trust your AV software (though not implicitly). May I suggest that you use a sandbox program such as Macrium Reflect. We have been given at least three sandbox programs via the giveaway project over the last 18 months; all of which have worked well (though not in conjunction with each other. If you're not sure what a sandbox is; it’s a program that creates a virtual computer within the memory of the physical computer. You can do anything you would normally do on your computer, but, if a problem arises, the attack is kept within the bounds of the virtual computer. All you do is close the program down and your virus attack has been cured. Apart from a good firewall and AV program it’s the best way to protect you computer IMO.
Posted 16 years ago # -
Anonymous
UnregisteredI check with McAfee SiteAdvisor if OK, hope it ok wallpapers desktops screen saver games may be not so safe,still been ok at GOTA. Only get wallpaper screen savers not exe or com go for jpg bmp & scan with Antivirus & spywarescanner like a-squared, superspyware, spywareTerminator all free or Pro ver.
Posted 16 years ago # -
Part of the problem is one of false positives and users who believe without really understanding what is being reported. Many have probably caused further problems with incorrect or multiple installations of anti-spyware or security tools installed beside security tools....
Many giveaways are installed 10,000 or 20,000 or more times - if there was a real virus - there would be more than 3 or 4 reports - and I would be among them.
However at the end of the day, if your antivirus program or McAfee's latest web safety report scares you off - it is probably best you don't swim in the pool. If it is any consolation - to date I am not aware of a "real virus" that ends up on a users PC as a direct result from a downloaded giveaway.
It is possible that a users PC might already be infected - and it spreads to the giveaway software when running - but that is a different matter entirely.
If you have any serious concerns about a particular incident you can always PM one of the moderators or admins or even post here: Review Trojan/Virus Reports
Posted 16 years ago # -
sukibabe
Games JunkieI have WOT and McAfee Site Advisor,lol, guess McAfee got on the ball it now gives GOTD a green rating!
I have had no problems....however you should see what WOT does to the food network....big red warning! I feel like I'm on "Lost in Space"......
Of course you always have to protect yourself and that is what I do...if you don't think it's safe, then don't download from here!Suki
Posted 16 years ago # -
BrianZachary
MemberTo Whiterabbit,
Regarding WOT, is this compatible with browsers other than IE and Firefox? I use Avant Browser as my choice. I don't have Firefox installed and I won't go anywhere near IE. Avant does have the ability to use IE plugins, but warns that doing so may cause problems.
I currently use CallingID LinkAdvisor, which is compatible with several browsers and mail clients as well. It works pretty decent, but does give a "Low Risk" rating to the GotD site, not that that stops me from coming here...LOL
Posted 16 years ago # -
Whiterabbit-uk
Games GuruHi Brian; as far as I know WOT is only compatible with IE and Firefox. I don't know diddly squat about Avant Browser; though if you say it can utilize IE plug-ins may I suggest that you take a snapshot of your computer, install the add-on and if it causes problems just roll back your system.
p.s.
Why do you use Avant? - I’m just curious to know the ins and outs of a different browser. What’s its advantages over the other two?Posted 16 years ago # -
BrianZachary
MemberThanks for responding, Whiterabbit.
Instead of me describing that makes Avant Browser better for me, it'll be easier if you take a look at the description page at Download.com, there's a video of Avant's features there:
http://www.download.com/Avant-Browser/3000-12780_4-10150342.html?tag=mncol;psum
Or you can take a look at the Avant Browser site:
One of the things I do like about Avant that I haven't seen in any other browser is you can choose to have the tabs at the top or bottom of the browser. There are a lot of other things I've come to rely on, I just can't see switching to any other browser, at least not in the near future. Another thing to note is they are consistantly updating, which can get a little annoying having to download a new version, but it's good to stay up to date.
Oh and I did try WOT, but it didn't work in Avant, so I guess I will just stick with CallingID LinkAdvisor for now. I was going to try McAfee's SiteAdvisor, but it isn't compatible with Avant Browser, either, which is why I went with CallingID. I also tried WOT's bookmarklet trick by trying to drag their link to my bookmarks toolbar, but that didn't work in Avant, either.
Posted 16 years ago #
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