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Many software download sites are loaded with malware. Here are the safest sites you can trust when looking for free software downloads.

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While there are many places on the internet to download free software, they're not all safe. Lots of sites take advantage of people looking for free downloads to hit you with malicious ads, fake virus warnings, or even tampered files.

While good antivirus software will protect you from the worst sites, it's better to avoid shady free download sites altogether and stick to trustworthy freeware resources. Let's look at some of the best and safest sites for downloading Windows software.

In addition to general reputation and personal experience, we used URLVoid to check website safety. This tool checks sites against dozens of security software blacklists. Every website here scored at least a 41/43 (meaning that all but one or two scanners found the site to be clean).

1. Official Software Websites

Before we get into the sites that offer lots of different Windows software, it's worth remembering that the safest place to download most popular software is often right from its official website. If you're looking to download a browser, security suite, media app, or similar, you can't get much more secure than its homepage.

Some software may still try to foist unwanted bundled junk on you from its official website, but you can be pretty sure it's free of malware. If you don't know an app's download page, a quick Google search for "download Spotify" or similar will bring up a box that takes you right to it. Just make sure you're on the official page.

2. Ninite

Ninite is simple. The website presents you with a list of popular programs to select, and you check the boxes for all the apps you want. Then, clicking the download button will give you a custom installer file that bundles all the selected programs together, allowing you to install them in bulk.

Ninite is known for its safety and security. It automatically declines toolbars and extra junk, runs in the background, and doesn't require you to click Next over and over. Thus, there's no risk of malware or bundled garbage. Running the same installer file later will cause Ninite to automatically update everything you downloaded originally.

While there are only a few dozen apps on Ninite, it has a lot of the most popular Windows software like Chrome, VLC, Zoom, LibreOffice, and more. Keep in it mind next time you're setting up a new computer.

3. Softpedia

Softpedia is one of the largest download sites around; it's delivered over three billion downloads over the years. The most popular apps are updated every day, allowing you to get clean and malware-free software that's also as recent as possible.

On top of this, it has an easy-to-use interface that makes it painless to browse for programs on any platform. You can browse what's been updated recently, or search using filters like categories, last updated, and cost. In addition to Windows, you'll find Mac, Linux, and Android apps too.

4. MajorGeeks

Even though the site looks like it hasn't been updated since the 1990s, MajorGeeks has been one of the most reputable software download sites for some time.

Its list of Top Freeware Picks is a great place to start, but don't be afraid to browse the left sidebar and look through all kinds of highly-rated programs that you might find handy. Otherwise, searching will help find what you're looking for.

5. FileHippo

FileHippo is a well-known site with tons of active programs broken down into categories. It also has a repository of web apps, if you aren't set on just downloading desktop software.

The site will occasionally prompt you to download another app (such as Opera) before the one you asked for. But this is clearly labeled, easy to skip, and doesn't push shady software.

FileHippo goes further by also offering older versions of software. While you generally shouldn't install outdated software for security reasons, it's a useful option to have in case you run into issues with the latest version.

6. Download Crew

Download Crew's website stands out thanks to its short but informative descriptions on each app page. These are written by real users, not just copied and pasted from the vendor's website. You'll learn what each app does, its perks, and any flaws.

The top section has Featured Downloads, making it a good place to get started. It also has a robust list of options for the software licenses, including Open Source, Trialware, and more. This lets you drill down into exactly what kind of free software you're getting.

7. FileHorse

FileHorse doesn't have a massive repository of software. Instead, this site focuses on stocking the best and most useful programs. Each product page has screenshots so you know what to expect, plus version compatibility, a changelog, links to old versions, and more.

Because the homepage is broken into a relatively small number of categories like Video Software and Cleaning and Tweaking, it's also a good place to find trusted alternatives to popular software.

8. FilePuma

FilePuma has a pretty basic interface and focuses on simplicity. Search for the software you're interested in, or browse its categories to find something new. Since the categories have the most popular tools right on the homepage, it's easy to see what's on offer.

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Aside from old versions and screenshots, there's not much more on the product download page. The only other standout feature is FilePuma's Update Detector, which makes it easy to check for and install updates for software on your PC.

9. SnapFiles

SnapFiles looks like a lot of the other download sites we've featured, but it has a few cool functions that make it worth a look. One of these is the Freeware Pick on the homepage, which highlights a piece of software you might not have known about. And under More at the top of the page, you'll find a Random Pick, which is also great for discovering new software to download.

There's also a dedicated page for Portable Apps, handy if you want to run apps without installing them. SnapFiles also features user reviews on software download pages, plus warnings on apps that try to install bundled software.

10. The Microsoft Store

It's easy to ignore the Microsoft Store, which is the home for Modern apps on Windows 10 and Windows 11. And while a lot of its offerings aren't particularly great, you can still find some solid apps on the Store.

Using Store apps also has some benefits compared to their traditional counterparts. Store apps update automatically update themselves. And more importantly, they are sandboxed, so they can't intrude on other areas of your system. Have a look to see if your favorite apps are on the Microsoft Store and you might be pleasantly surprised with what else you dig up.

One of the top stablecoins in terms of market capitalization, USDC enables rapid and affordable value exchanges

The USD Coin (USDC) protocol, which was introduced in 2018 by a joint venture between Coinbase and Circle called Centre, was developed to give cryptocurrency enthusiasts and investors the option of transacting using its native coin, which is indexed to the US Dollar.

Stablecoins, or cryptocurrency tokens like USDC, serve as a bridge between somewhat volatile cryptocurrencies and stable fiat currencies in the real world.

They are quickly becoming the preferred method of seamless global commerce.

Although stablecoins may be anchored to any fiat currency or even to other assets like gold, the designers of USDC chose to algorithmically tie the stablecoin's value to the US dollar because it is the chosen unit of account for the majority of international transactions so as to encourage uptake more quickly.

As a result, USDC basically functions as a digital version of the US Dollar and enables its owners to make cryptocurrency payments for products and services without having to worry about market fluctuations depreciating their fiat wealth when they convert it to cryptocurrency.

The USD Coin protocol, developed with the goal of giving everyone simple access to cryptocurrencies, provides an open-source smart contract for other blockchain projects to use in the creation of distinctive goods like wallets and exchanges.

Using USDC's Payouts solution, organisations and individuals may utilise the USDC token as a payment or reward system for internal consumption or even to reward staff members, partners, or other affiliates.

USDC tokens may be acquired with any fiat currency and changed back into it in a few easy steps. They are offered at a price that is constant with the value of the US dollar.

Users only need to create an account with any partner exchange that accepts USDC and send fiat funds equal to the quantity of tokens they wish to buy.

Instead of using these partner exchanges, investors and companies may buy the stablecoin directly by creating a Circle account.

Credit cards and bank account transfers are only two of the numerous ways that fiat money may be transferred.

Withdrawals are triggered when the exchange makes a request to the USDC smart contract, which transforms the stablecoin back into fiat money.

An equivalent amount of USDC tokens are burned for every liquidation of USDC tokens, keeping the system in the proper balance for perfect operation.

The USDC has consistently kept the highest standards of trust and openness by providing a quicker, more effective, and safer means to transfer or exchange money on a worldwide scale.

Long-term benefits include the stablecoin surviving the Luna fiasco and promptly regaining its dollar peg in the wake of Terra's catastrophic meltdown.

The USDC reserves, which as of last week totaled roughly $56 billion, are actually kept in separate accounts with authorised US financial institutions and are kept fully distinct from Circle's operating accounts.

These funds are maintained in the form of cash and short-term US Treasury bonds.

The company has even announced that it plans to disclose the stablecoin’s reserves on a daily basis, a move that will further bolster its rise up the stablecoin rankings table.

The fact that Circle, one of the world's top bitcoin financial services companies, has repeatedly stated that it intends to go public by the end of 2022 is further evidence of the company's superior financial standing in comparison to its competitors.

In established economies like the USA, USDC is quickly displacing traditional banking systems since users only pay small transfer costs for transactions.

Contrary to certain other stablecoins like Terra, the USDC developer team has kept its word and provided 100% collateral to ensure that the stablecoin is always redeemable.

As a result, USDC has won the hearts of numerous investors all over the world.

VPN ensures your security and privacy online. Find out, how to choose a VPN you can trust.

VPN is a great tool for securing your privacy on the internet. It works as a tunnel for your internet connection. No one outside can see what you do with VPN switched on — except your VPN provider. With access to all your browsing data, your VPN provider is a key player in your online privacy. How will you know, which VPN you can trust from the hundreds of options out there?

Here are 6 things to consider, when you choose your VPN service.

1. A free VPN is, in fact, not free

A free VPN might sound great, but the truth is that all companies need to make money to cover their costs. Some free VPNs do that with ads, some by selling their users’ data. Some­times free means slower connection speed and less features.

2. Security experience of the vendor

VPN market is growing fast, and it has attracted lots of new vendors. Not all have much experience, and not much is known about the companies. VPN solutions are about online security and privacy, so demand trans­parency and a decent back­ground in cyber security from your provider.

3. All reviews are not independent

When you look for a VPN, you probably search information online. You can find count­less VPN comparisons and reviews. Some of them are paid and some are independent. It’s not always easy to tell which ones are non-biased, so be critical about which ones you trust.

4. VPN provider’s home country matters

VPN companies must follow the laws of their home country. These laws can require them to collect, store and provide data to authorities. This can compromise your privacy. The lack of laws controlling the collection and handling of user data can also be risky. That’s why it is important to know where your VPN is from.

5. Check your VPN’s privacy policy

Almost all VPNs claim to keep no logs. But this is not true. Most VPNs must keep at least connection logs to provide the service. But some data, such as your browsing history, you may want to keep private. Verify your VPN provider’s claims and read their privacy policy.

6. Thousands of servers may be a security risk

VPN providers rent servers from all over the world. Especially if they offer tons of server options. This means that they may have less control of their whole server network. Consider which locations you need and don’t just go for the vendor with the largest number of servers.