If you aren’t comfortable downloading and installing software, you’re not alone. The potential for getting a viral infection is so high right now, you’re reasons for feeling a little apprehensive are certainly justified. Here are few tips to ease some of that apprehension.

1.    Never download and install software from people or websites that you don’t know. This is the number one rule of online downloading, but it’s a rule that not everyone follows. New internet users are the most vulnerable to downloading and installing an infected software program because they haven’t been online long enough to know which websites are reputable. We recommend that internet newbies download from websites advertised in popular computer magazines like PC Home or MacWorld. Both of these publications are reputable resources that you can trust and rely on for virus free leads on downloadable programs.

2.    Install an anti-virus program. Many (if not all) of today’s anti-virus programs can and will scan a software program before it’s downloaded onto your computer. This feature might turn a 1 minute download into a 10 minute download, but the end result ensures that your computer stays virus free. If you don’t have an anti-virus program, but want to download a file that you’re not sure about, sign up with an online scanning service. These services can scan a file on the internet before you download it, or it will scan a file that you’ve already downloaded, but haven’t yet installed. Neither an online or offline virus scanner will prevent viral infection from a program that has already been installed.

3.    Always choose “download” instead of “run” from a website’s download prompt. If you choose “run” instead of “download,” the program will install itself and then start – giving you no chance to scan for viruses, worms, pests, or any other nuisance it could cause first.

4.    Skip the internet and buy your software from a store. You can decrease your chances of infection further by purchasing your software from a reputable store like Circuit City or Office Max. You won’t be able to try the software before you buy it, but since many large retailers have and honor a refund/return policy, you might be able to return a software product that doesn’t work the way you need it to.

5.    See what others have to say about a program that you’re interested in. If you’re interested in a program that has infected the computers of others, believe us when we say you’ll hear about it! Only download software that others highly recommend.