Free software can be convenient however they are not always reliable. The best freeware poses little risk to your PC provided it’s from a reliable source and you check it out. However, there are a lot of malware out there. It could be malware (which gathers information without your permission), adware, (which will bombard you with pop-ups) or spyware (which corrupts data on your PC).

One of the most effective ways to avoid being hacked with these dangerous programs is to stay clear of sites that host pirated software or other copyrighted files. It’s also a good idea to always keep your antimalware and antivirus programs up to date.

FileHippo: A list of the most current versions of popular apps and games and also installation guides and opinion articles. The site also has extensive back catalogs of older app versions.

PortableAppz A collection of http://www.isohuntpro.org/best-antivirus-for-pc applications that you can run from either a cloud drive or from your desktop. The site has everything from editing photos to office software.

Cleanup is a freeware application that allows you to clean Windows and browser histories, as well as those of third-party programs. It can help you empty your recycle bin and clear system log files, clean typed URLs, erase search history, clean temp and clipboard files, and more.

Open-source software You can find a selection of the most reliable open source software on community-driven websites such as Github and SourceForge. Some of the most popular examples are the Linux operating system and LibreOffice. This kind of software isn’t free, but it’s usually cheaper than proprietary software and allows you to make changes or enhancements to the code, if you wish.