anyway to check if it's safe to download a freeware

[jiam1]

Hi, I like to download a free software.
Is there a way to find out if the freeware is virus/spyware free before downloading?
Or is there a safe way of downloading it?
Is using Firefox instead of IE a safer way to do such a download?

Many thanks in advance for any kind advice.

[jscheuer1]

There is no way to be certain anything is virus free until you get it on your computer and test it with the latest definitions. Firefox is a safer way of downloading though, yes. This is because some downloads are accompanied by an Active X attack. Only IE is vulnerable to such an attack. So any download that claims to require IE, is probably such an attack.

There are services, like nonags.com that allow members to download freeware that they've certified as virus free. But even that is no guarantee.

However, if you use Firefox for downloading and have an up to date anti virus and trojan detector like AVG to scan the download with before opening it, you should be fine.

One should use common sense though. If the file being downloaded is obviously illegal (like warez, hacks and cracks) or ****ographic, these are the sorts of files most often infected.