Never Install These Programs

[SactoDoug]

Here is a great list of things to NOT install on your PC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxLjz8gpF3o

Never Install List

• Norton and McAfee antivirus
• NordVPN and many "free" VPNs.
• Shopping extension such as Honey
• PC speed boosters
• Pre-installed software
• Bundled software with free programs
• Be extra careful with pirated software

[nine mil thrill]

great video

[arrix]

Run your working OS in a VM environment. Or better yet, run Qubes as your main OS so you can compartmentalize all your apps.

[Big Chudungus]

took me a while to learn to NOT accept various offers when installing various otherwise good free mostly Open Source software.

if I was some big US govt spook maybe I'd stay away from CCP and Russian apps, but as a low level private US citizen I'd much rather they have my info than US Govt, and vice versa.

John MacFee says anti-virus, privacy, etc no longer works.

How about a list of programs you SHOULD install?

I'll start with https://clipgrab.org/faqs/howto-download-youtube-video

Just works, and doesn't have any "this app needs permission to look at all your files and programs" AFAIK. Not as "one touch" as some Youtube downloaders, but still never easy and like any WELL WRITTEN program it's pop ups include curser pre-placed so you just hit return.

[bohoki]

hmm i've been playing this game for like 30 years started out on windows 3.1 ive copied it over to every new computer

https://archive.org/details/MileBones90_1020

i use audacity it seems safe enough for me

xnview i use to clean up scans with bulk contrast settings

foxit viewer for pdf viewing

[DesertLefty]

Oh, and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER install vBulletin on your web server. LOL

[OlderThanDirt]

took me a while to learn to NOT accept various offers when installing various otherwise good free mostly Open Source software.

if I was some big US govt spook maybe I'd stay away from CCP and Russian apps, but as a low level private US citizen I'd much rather they have my info than US Govt, and vice versa.

John MacFee says anti-virus, privacy, etc no longer works.

How about a list of programs you SHOULD install?

I'll start with https://clipgrab.org/faqs/howto-download-youtube-video

Just works, and doesn't have any "this app needs permission to look at all your files and programs" AFAIK. Not as "one touch" as some Youtube downloaders, but still never easy and like any WELL WRITTEN program it's pop ups include curser pre-placed so you just hit return.

[Oceanbob]

[riceman]

Thanks OP, very useful info. My wife gets the Norton & or McFee email quite often & I have to tell her to trash it.

[xfer42]

Run your working OS in a VM environment. Or better yet, run Qubes as your main OS so you can compartmentalize all your apps.

^^^

I run my work stuff in a VM, then my Bittorrent stuff in another, then my CAD stuff in another. I use VMPlayer, so they are up, then down, and sandboxed. I can always copy one, or set the HDD to nonpersistent if I want to "test" a new app. I run an old i9 7960x (16core/32thread) with 128GB of RAM so I can run a few hefty VMs simultaneously. I like to keep the installed apps on the host at a minimum.

[augoldminer]

I left windows 5 years ago and never looked back.
they put in a update that blocked firefox and replaced it with edge and after trying to get firefox back for 4 days i pulled my window ssd drive and put in a bigger ssd drive with linux mint on it..
i have a number of old lenovo T410 laptops i got when a company upgraded and if i have a problem with a laptop i just pull the drive and put it in another.
back online in 15 mins.
and i found linux mint does not slow down over time like windows. you do not need a antivirus and i use proton vpn in a vm.

[arrix]

^^^

I run my work stuff in a VM, then my Bittorrent stuff in another, then my CAD stuff in another. I use VMPlayer, so they are up, then down, and sandboxed. I can always copy one, or set the HDD to nonpersistent if I want to "test" a new app. I run an old i9 7960x (16core/32thread) with 128GB of RAM so I can run a few hefty VMs simultaneously. I like to keep the installed apps on the host at a minimum.

This is the way...