|
|
Downloading software from the web: how safe can you play it?
|
|
|
|
Mac Elite
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: here
Status:
Offline
|
|
I'm currently testing different RAW converters, and was led to this one.
http://www.raw-photo-processor.com/RPP/Overview.html
It's made by a private software engineer in San Francisco, using floating point calculation, which nixes rounding errors, that lower image/conversion quality.
I'm sure this software is OK, but until now I never downloaded anything when I didn't really know the source.
Can you download software and sniff it out if it's safe?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Professional Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Status:
Offline
|
|
is it in macupdate or versiontracker? I generally like to see a track record in either of those sites before I feel comfortable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dedicated MacNNer
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kathmandu Nepal
Status:
Offline
|
|
Velt, we have no choice here. 99.9% of all software is downloaded from the web, and if u have a mac, i don't think u need to worry too much. just run time machine before installing anything. good luck!
|
Dead MBP 2.2 4gig / New Aluminum iMacs / "Old" iPhones / 1st Gen Ipod Shuffle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mac Elite
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: The back of the room
Status:
Offline
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Status:
Offline
|
|
I go with a trust-but-verify approach. I have a spare account on my computer that I nuke and pave regularly to use as a sandbox when needed.
|
Chuck
___
"Instead of either 'multi-talented' or 'multitalented' use 'bisexual'."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Status:
Offline
|
|
Mac users don't have to worry that much. There has only been one real case of an OS X download containing malicious code.
|
"The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground." TJ
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: yes
Status:
Offline
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mac Elite
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: here
Status:
Offline
|
|
Originally Posted by zro
Thanks! I missed that one. Only had the home page.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mac Elite
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: here
Status:
Offline
|
|
Originally Posted by Chuckit
nuke and pave.
This SOUNDS great!
Like a Franchise of something really, really...
PS: That different account would be separated from the other software? And can't "infect" it.
Then that's a sure way to go.
Usually, I only download from acknowledged sites, and as little as possible.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mac Elite
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: here
Status:
Offline
|
|
Originally Posted by besson3c
I wear a condom.
Around your hard drive?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Status:
Offline
|
|
On most platforms I'd test software inside a virtual machine... unfortunately Apple won't let you do that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Status:
Offline
|
|
Originally Posted by Veltliner
That different account would be separated from the other software? And can't "infect" it.
It's a normal user account. It doesn't have write access to any systemwide directories, including /Applications. Like mduell said, a virtual machine would be preferable, but an unprivileged user account is kind of a poor man's version.
Originally Posted by Veltliner
Usually, I only download from acknowledged sites, and as little as possible.
Honestly, I can't say that's me. Ever since System 7 or so, my family would always download a lot of shareware. There are so many useful apps and fun games out there that it's a shame it miss out in fear, I think.
|
Chuck
___
"Instead of either 'multi-talented' or 'multitalented' use 'bisexual'."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Yokohama, Japan
Status:
Offline
|
|
If you have OS X 10.5 you can use a guest account, which automatically gets wiped every time you log off.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mac Elite
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: here
Status:
Offline
|
|
Originally Posted by Chuckit
my family would always download a lot of shareware. There are so many useful apps and fun games out there that it's a shame it miss out in fear, I think.
I saw in this thread, the risks are minor.
Maybe my biological hard drive got infected by PC worry virus. Running my personal disk warrior right now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Jul 2008
Status:
Offline
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mac Elite
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: here
Status:
Offline
|
|
Originally Posted by Veltliner
Maybe my biological hard drive got infected by the PC worry virus.
Now what could that mean?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Rules
|
|
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
|
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|