Downloading and installing software
Saturday, June 28th, 2008Any software you run can take over your user account, so it is important to be careful when downloading native software.
* Only install software from trustworthy sources.
* Get software from the official site, so you can be sure you’re getting the an untainted copy and to be sure you’re getting the latest version.
* When you are using an Internet connection you can’t trust, such as a random wireless access point, avoid downloading software at all. If you must download software, try to authenticate it in some way, such as by downloading it through https or checking the signing information for a Windows executable file. (Bug 292481 aims to make it easier for software developers to distribute software safely.)
(Hopefully, future operating systems will make it safe to download and install software by separating programs from each other and from your documents.)