There are a handful of messages that I hear from users on a regular basis:

• My computer is slow
• My computer crashes way too often
• If it isn’t free, I’m not interested as I refuse to pay for anything online
• I never install anything dangerous

Now I’d like you to read a post explaining what you really get when you download free software from some of the most popular “legitimate” sources of software.

• Download Wrappers and Unwanted Software are pure evil

We’ve all heard the saying “there is no such thing as a free lunch.” Everything has a cost to produce and distribute. Therefore if it is provided to you for free, there often is some sort of a hidden cost. In the case of many of the popular “free” software, they are going to do everything possible to get you to install extra junk you don’t want and don’t need. Why? Because they are being paid when they are able to get you to install this junk!

Let’s now go back to those four common statements above. While many users may not feel they are installing anything dangerous, it is possible they are doing it quite often. Installing all that extra junk can slow down your computer drastically and cause it to crash. Lastly, sometimes it is best to pay even a small price directly so a company doesn’t feel the need to include all this extra junk to recoup their development costs.