Is there any chance that Cnet's Download.com thoroughly checks and scans for viruses/malware/etc all the programs which it makes available for downloading before it puts them up on their site?

You guessed it, I just downloaded a program that appears to have done nothing to my computer, and can't be found on (Vista's) Programs and Features list, and I fear the worst.

~ beau

I have never had any problems with their downloads, and here is what their site says about it:

Click to view attachment

What did you download?

I concur with kennethr ..... I've downloaded programs from Download.com before and have never had problems with it.

As Kennethr asks, what did you download?

If you fear you have something malicious on board, then describe the symptoms for us and post a HijackThis log using this tutorial here and we'll take a look for you.

Thanks kennethr and angoid ~

I downloaded a program called Capture Screen Area. The publisher is listed as MME; clicking the MME link on download.com returns a download.com page with no publisher profile and with the publisher's website listed as http://nothing.com; I looked at nothing.com, which looks like a gag or some kind of personal statement (or, for the paranoid, a threat).

After running the Capture Screen Area installation, nothing happened, so I checked Vista's Programs and Features and found neither the program's name or publisher on the list, which made me suspicious I got suspicious.

I'm glad to hear that download.com's got a good rep for safety of their offerings...I'm forever downloading stuff from them and majorgeeks.com

~ beau

I admit that is one weird website. Not sure I would follow up on that program. Did you read the only review on the program?

Click to view attachment

Couldn't help myself. I downloaded. Did not try to install but scanned and found nothing wrong with program.

Believe I would try other programs that do the same. I use the free version of GADWIN PRINT SCREEN which does an excellent job for me. Many more good free ones around.

Also, you might want to take Angoid's advise on posting a hijack log.

Can you BELIEVE I didn't see the obvious "DISASTER" review???
I've downloaded Gadwin Print Screen & will give it a try...can you capture just sections of a screen too?

~ beau

This was copied with that program. Two to choose from, professional, and free.

Click to view attachment

I think we need to have a Sophisticated Drivel Contest. From nothing.com....


Let's see who can come up with the most sophisticated and confusing drivel ever written......

But I digress.

I've been using MWSnap, and have found it to be a great little free utility for screen shotting: you can snag windows, areas of the screen, the entire desktop area, or whatever. Very good, considering the price....

Beau, if you wish to post a HJT log, then please continue with this thread then everything is together .

"...I think we need to have a Sophisticated Drivel Contest..."


Angoid, I don't believe we could ever top nothing.com's entry. No use for a contest.....................!!

SCREENSHOT_CAPTOR is another I have been hearing good things about. Good reviews. I have downloaded it but have not installed yet. May give it a try when I have time.

If you have not installed one yet, you might want to try this.

kenneth

Well, I have tried it. Much too complicated for me, just for a screen capture program. Back to Gadwin for me...........

hey kennethr, that Screenshot Captor is about the easiest to use program I ever saw...took a couple of minutes both to test all the various screenshot types/sizes and to fiddle with the neat functions, all super-easily accessible on the right sidebar...that "Draw highlight" area thing is v cool...

~ beau

ps I fiddled with the Gadwin thing, after 5 minutes couldn't even figure out how to select an area to capture...Gadwin's toast now