Macrium etc Free Software--How to avoid CNET Virus/Adware/malware prog

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  1. Posts : 350
    Windows7 Professional 64bit
       #1

    Macrium etc Free Software--How to avoid CNET Virus/Adware/malware prog


    Hi everyone!

    I was advised earlier on this thread:: Need a new Backup & Storage program

    ....that Macrium (and AOMEI) are good to use to backup my Laptop HDD to an external drive.

    Larger 2TB, external drive purchased, and is on its way...

    Now I'd like to get the Free Backup program Macrium.

    One problem still remains:

    I've stopped using CNET Downloads since myself (and others as experienced in this Google search), have been seriously harmed by CNET downloads


    There have been problems with reported with the CNET site since 2008, check Google page:

    https://www.google.com/search?client...UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

    I got hit by their malware/adware/toolbars so I refuse to use them as you can't remove them!!!! (On XP computer so I won't bother asking you here about them).

    This is for a Laptop running Windows 7 Professional, so I don't want anything to go wrong (not mine, its a relatives' computer).

    This thread from another (not Windows Seven Forum) website : http://www.thewindowsclub.com/safe-s...download-sites

    ....mentioned that "all" sites have a "direct link" so you don't have to use CNET Downloads,

    Well.. I've looked high and low and even clicked on the paid versions of Macrium.... all seem to FORCE you to use the CNET download (with their CNET "installer" of course you must agree to install in order to get their "free" download (sorry for using so many quote marks, I'm using these words sarcastically if no one has noticed yet)

    I don't want to have to go to an unofficial, potentially virus-laden site to get this program that will be making important, valuable irreplaceable copies of the only Drive in the Laptop! So don't refer me to anywhere else but the "official Macrium" download site....

    Question is now: How to get free (or paid) Macrium backup software without all the CNET malware/adware/toolbars who knows what else??? installed automatically??

    I checked Windows Seven Forum first, found a few helpful items... but no answers for me.

    Layback Bear did a good reply here: (copied in full as its buried deep inside a thread)


    Layback Bear

    Thank you DavidW7ncus. The article (website) in your post #41 was great.

    It was very informative and I recommend all to read. Sites like Cnet state their downloads are virus and spyware free. It does not state that they are free of all unwanted little goodies what ever name they may be called by. Just because something is not considered a virus or spyware does not mean you want it included. The adding of a unwanted Tool Bar which is not considered a virus or spyware is still not a good thing. The Tool Bar itself is not spyware but it does open the back door for spyware.

    Beware of the tricky wording some sites use.

    Their is no such thing as a no-brainier when it comes to downloading anything. That is exactly what the download site wants people to think or better yet not to think. Just run with the download. After all they love us all and would never do anything to harm us. Bull Droppings.
    Britton30 also added

    Thanks for the credit Jack. I will hazard a guess that c|net add all the crapware, it's all about money. I no longer believe them that "this download has been checked and is free of adware and spyware."
    Thanks again for reading a long initial question everyone!

    XP VM USER (sorry got stuck with name on my first visit here)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #2

    You can download Macrium from MajorGeeks

    Download Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - MajorGeeks
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 350
    Windows7 Professional 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Looks like the ANSWER!


    Hi DavidE!

    Thanks for the link... (I should keep Major Geeks for other items too if its ok)

    I clicked on the download to inspect its address:

    it says: (nice trick, the Forum automatically shortened this link so I re did it below with full address given)

    Reimage - PC Repair Online

    h t t p : / / ox-d.majorgeeks.com/w/1.0/rc?ts=1fHJpZD04NTQxOThlYy0wODE5LTRmZjItODE1Yi1lNzYxNDY3YTI5NGZ8cnQ9MTQyMjMxNDU0MnxhdWlkPTEyNjg5fGF1b T1ETUlELldFQnxzc2lkPTI0MDF8c2lkPTU1MXxwdWI9MTU4NXxwYz1VU0R8cmFpZD0yYzFlNGI2Mi02NmYzLTQ5MmMtOGU2MS1hM 2NhZTViY2MzYjd8YWlkPTUzNzE2NDg0NHx0PTF8YXM9MzM2eDI4MHxsaWQ9NTM3MTI5MzM1fG9pZD03MzYyNnxwPTIwMDB8cHI9M jAwMHxhZHY9NDU5MXxhYz1VU0R8cG09UFJJQ0lORy5DUE18Ym09QlVZSU5HLk5PTkdVQVJBTlRFRUR8bGM9Mnxsdz0xNDQwfHVyP TBvTWUwQzZPYVQ

    I guess I have to trust you on this one that it has no malware/adware, et al....

    I usually look for hidden "CNET" or other redirects inside links...

    But something like this is totally undecipherable to me!

    Am I alone in thinking this???

    (Various musings out loud) : I don't know how Macrium actually works, so I will wait until I hook up the External Drive before I do the download, as sometimes its easier for the program right after it downloads/installs on its first run time, to detect the two drives and right away it gives me choices of what do I want to do, versus just downloading, and turning it on at another time (might also be some registration ?? requirements I don't know yet) so again I'm unsure if I should download it before I try saving everything just as a big "save" like Forum member ignatzatsonic recommended I do first when I get the new HDD, since it has the room, and restore point (which I do always of course) may not satisfy me as to protecting everything from a new program....

    Thanks again... I'll mark as SOLVED!!! to give you credit too (as soon as I do download ok?)

    XP VM USER
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #4

    There was a recent SF thread about downloads and trusted sites.
    MajorGeeks is still one of the trusted sites, I've been using it for years.
    If I can find the thread link, i'll post back with it.

    Downloading anything, well, seems to be getting worse ...
    The user really has to pay attention and read everything ...
      My Computer


  5. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #5

    This was the result when Virus Total checked the installation .exe of Macrium from Major Geeks.

    https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/6...3241/analysis/
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #6

    @XP VM User

    I just clicked on the link you posted in post #3.
    I got redirected - and a WOT warning.
    When I click on the link I posted in post #2, i don't get re-directed.

      My Computer


  7. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #7
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 350
    Windows7 Professional 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    You posted faster than I typed my reply!


    Hi DavidE!

    Confused a bit... [note to self---I revised this based upon your two recent postings back to me! I was "typing" this reply]

    I just posted my reply... worked on it a while to get it to look just right with the http:// addresses

    I copied the address twice, first one went to your page you gave me, second one I broke apart so no "url" blue underline so you can see all the weird letters...

    But

    When I posted it.... some other automated "bot" or jantor program at Windows Seven Forum cleaned it up and when I clicked on the link.... guess where it went to????

    NOT to the page you originally posted about downloading Macrium from Major Geek site..

    But at the Major Geek Site.. this ADVERTISEMENT for another one of their products!!!

    Copied and pasted top of the page writing here:

    EDITORS PICK: Reimage PC Repair - Destroy Malware, Remove Spyware & Repair the damage!
    What just happened??
    Is this site like CNET? Trying to get some extra money from us? Or Free program with something "little" added in ??

    What did I do wrong DavidE in my post?

    (Not upset with advice, just asking what happened here!!)

    [Yes I see the links you provided, showing Major Geeks is ok--thanks]

    [Still does not explain why when I took it off my "Word Pad" where I was composing the message, pasted it onto Windows Seven Forum Reply box... checked and previewed it.... and made changes too! Did the "bot" or "janitor" change my blue address to that other one!
    I did not intend to re-direct it! I confirmed it operated using the "preview" before posting!!!]

    [What is going on???]

    Thanks!
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 350
    Windows7 Professional 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Thanks whs!

    Now that is more of what I need... simple language, easy to follow screen shots and guaranteed results (and YES I love it when they explain about sometimes a scan will come up with a single hit... but more likely its made an error and file is still safe---and to rescan it if you want to be certain nothing has changed since Virus Total.com (Bookmarked and saved the page)..

    It recommends adding this to your broswer---- I don't have a working Firefox on this device, only Opera works..... (long story, want to hear it?---I'm joking, I'll post it someday in the "browsers" section here if I ever type it out)..

    Thanks again!!
    Last edited by XP VM User; 26 Jan 2015 at 19:45. Reason: Grammar & "?"
      My Computer


  10. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #10

    I'm not arguing the pros and cons of CNET downloads. I find it a worry when the Macrium site (linked in the free program section here) itself points potential users to a CNET download. If CNET is a risky download then what does this say for Macrium.
      My Computer


 
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