Make sure your antivirus software is legit
Make sure your antivirus software is legit
2:00

Make sure your antivirus software is legit

Privacy
Hi, I'm Molly Wood from CNET.com, here with a tip on making sure you�re really secure when you�re downloading security software. Our Download.com team got a reader email from Gergigbear, asking, "How do you tell a rogue anti virus site from the good sites?" You might have heard of the threat posed by rogue antivirus vendors. Maybe you�ve seen a message telling you that your computer is infected and you need to buy some this software right now to fix it. Or, worse, scammers can compromise legitimate antivirus Websites and redirect you to a bogus site. Usually, the scammers harvest your credit card information and whatever you pay for the fake software, and then never deliver any software. But some fake antivirus software can actually CONTAIN viruses or worms. So, you need to be careful. Here are some tips from our Download.com editors on how to avoid getting scammed. First tip: it�s all about the source: If you�ve discovered the site from a pop-up on your computer screen or in your system tray, all signs point to rogue. This is a well-known scare tactic that these illegitimate companies use to herd you to their sites. Instead, search for security software on CNET Download.com or other reputable sites. You�ll get legitimate recommendations, and also ratings and editors� reviews. Next: take a good hard look at the site! Legitimate antispyware companies spend a lot of money to make their Websites look good. If you see spelling errors or bad graphics, steer clear. Of course, a bogus �company� could also make a nice site, which is why� Third tip: Use a link scanning app like McAfee Site Advisor or link LinkScanner Lite (which is included in AVG�s free antivirus app). Also, both Firefox and Internet Explorer use scanning and rating toolbars that warn you with yellow or red buttons in the browser window if the site seems unsafe. Visit Download.com for a lot more tips on avoiding unsafe sites, and you can find our top security picks at the link on the screen. It�s a dangerous world out there, and I hope this will help you stay a little bit safer. For CNET.com, I'm Molly Wood, and you�re welcome.

Up Next

Best antivirus software for Windows (2021 edition)
antivirus-thumb

Up Next

Best antivirus software for Windows (2021 edition)

Which VPN should you pick?
vpn

Which VPN should you pick?

Here's how the pandemic is changing how we shop online
nw-micheleherron

Here's how the pandemic is changing how we shop online

Video game industry targeted by Chinese hackers
jeffrosen-00-00-14-25-still002

Video game industry targeted by Chinese hackers

CISA director: Paper record key to keeping 2020 election secure
krebs-image

CISA director: Paper record key to keeping 2020 election secure

Blackhat 2020: Tech community must help secure elections
matt-blaze-image

Blackhat 2020: Tech community must help secure elections

Chinese hackers charged with allegedly stealing COVID-19 vaccine
chinesehackers

Chinese hackers charged with allegedly stealing COVID-19 vaccine

How to protect your phone (and your privacy) at a protest
gettyimages-phone-protest

How to protect your phone (and your privacy) at a protest

Everything you need to know about stalkerware
stalkerware

Everything you need to know about stalkerware

Prepare for a 'new national surveillance system' in order to wipe out COVID-19
covid19-privacy-final

Prepare for a 'new national surveillance system' in order to wipe out COVID-19

Tech Shows

The Apple Core
apple-core-w

The Apple Core

Alphabet City
alphabet-city-w

Alphabet City

CNET Top 5
cnet-top-5-w

CNET Top 5

The Daily Charge
dc-site-1color-logo.png

The Daily Charge

What the Future
what-the-future-w

What the Future

Tech Today
tech-today-w

Tech Today

Latest News All latest news

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
pic3

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter

Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories
screenshot-2024-03-22-at-17-41-16.png

Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories

Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies
240321-site-nvidia-project-groot-vs-tesla-optimus-v1

Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies

What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like
240321-site-apple-and-gemini-ai

What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like

DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit
240321-site-doj-sues-apple-for-antitrust-on-iphone-v2

DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit

Microsoft Surface Pro 10, Surface Laptop 6 Are Here
240320-site-microsoft-surface-pros-first-look-v2

Microsoft Surface Pro 10, Surface Laptop 6 Are Here

Most Popular All most popular

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
innovation

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
240123-site-samsung-galaxy-s24-ultra-review-4

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
circlesearchpic

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
asus-preces-00-00-25-11-still003

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
samsung-galaxy-ring-clean

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
240111-site-best-of-ces-2024-1

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024

Latest Products All latest products

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
pic3

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter

Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
240320-site-nuro-r3-first-look-v1

Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
240304-site-nothing-phone-2-first-look-v3

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day

Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
240229-site-best-of-show-at-mwc

Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More

This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
240225-site-lenovo-translucent-laptop-concept-v3

This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display

Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
240225-site-motorola-rollable-concept

Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist

Latest How To All how to videos

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
240311-site-windows-11-hidden-tips-and-tricks-v2

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
VisionOS 1.0.3

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
240216-site-galaxy-s24-ultra-tips-and-hidden-features-2

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
tiktok-on-vision-pro-clean

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro

Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
superbowl-tv-settings-thumb1

Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips

How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro
240202-site-spatial-computing-on-meta-quest-3

How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro