It costs nothing to download a freeware and hence it is downloaded by a number of people. Freeware is like any other software that can be downloaded from internet, but free. Every freeware is some kind of a utility providing some specific functionality to the user. It is not a rocket science to install the freeware. Simple read me files and user friendly installation wizards make it very easy to install them.
There are some risks involved with freeware as well. You may manage to save money using freeware, but could also end up infecting your PC with Spyware. Such a thing normally happens when you download and install a freeware developed by an unknown and unreliable source. You are at a huge risk when having Spyware installed into your PC. Your passwords and account numbers may be exposed to people you have never met. In other words, Spyware transmits your confidential information into web. You therefore need to be careful with downloading a freeware. Following guidelines can certainly help:
The first thing you must do is to check the credibility of the manufacturer. Try and survey about the other products developed by the company. A look at its track record will also be handy. Obviously, a reputed and known company would not develop Spyware.
You must do a rigorous research on the freeware product that you look to download. Many people must have shared their experiences on forums, blogs and other communities, about this freeware. This information would give you a lot of idea about the credibility and performance of the freeware. You must collect a lot of information and not get carried away by just one positive review. Only once you are satisfied with the review should you download it.
Visiting reputed website that offers software download is another good idea. Check to see if the website has listed the freeware you are interested in. A good and reputed website would not list a freeware that is malicious. If you manage to find the freeware on one or more such websites, you get a green signal. However, if you do not find it anywhere, the freeware could be suspicious and you may need to survey more.
Terms and conditions page gives you a lot of idea about the credibility of the company. These pages can however not be taken for granted. Nevertheless, this page can give you a decent idea about the firmware and its manufacturer.
Make sure that you have an anti Spyware installed on your system, before you opt to install any freeware at all. The anti Spyware can guard your PC against Spyware, if found. It is very important to have the latest version of anti Spyware installed on the PC, for an older version may not be able to identify a newer Spyware.
On the whole, there is no harm installing a freeware if you can be careful doing it. Be smart enough to download only authentic freeware and you will always be on the safer side.