How do I know if a software download is safe?

Brendan Burgess

Founder
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54,352
I want to copy a youtube clip

I gather that I need a video converter

There are a few to choose from, but how do I know if they are safe or not?

I have been reluctant to download free or even cheap software in the past because of this.

Brendan
 
YouTube Downloader is one I use all the time. Just don't install additional software if they give you an option to during the installation process e.g. it might offer you the opportunity to install the ASK toolbar etc. ... usually you have to untick these options during the installation process.

Otherwise, YouTube Downloader is perectly safe.

You can get it here:

YouTube Downloader
 
No easy way to tell. For software like this is there no major software companies with a name your can trust who have an offering.

Your best chance of getting something legit is to use a site like http://download.cnet.com as it allows user reviews. You will see the 1* reviews very quickly if there is spyware/malware/drm or a virus included in the download.
 
That's great thanks.

By the way, I presume there is no copyright issues in downloading youtube stuff for my own use?

Brendan
 
Brendan Burgess said:
That's great thanks.

By the way, I presume there is no copyright issues in downloading youtube stuff for my own use?

Brendan
Click to expand...

Section 5.1 L of the terms of service:


I've underlined the download bit...
 
But downloading and storing YouTube stuff for my own personal non-commercial use may not a breach of copyright, although it may breach the Terms of Service as quoted above.

There are software developers who make a living out of providing ways of storing (off-line) editing, manipulating and re-using YouTube clips. Their products and anyone using their products for their intended purpose may be in breach of the TOS, but I can't remembering hearing of any prosecutions.
 
CNET, Brothersoft and others routinely package PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programmes) e.g. SupTab with their downloads. These are usually marketing trackers and some contain file lockers to prevent tampering so can be difficult to remove (though Malwarebytes [free] usually does the trick).
Apart from the other advice above, I always select Custom Install and remove/untick anything other than the program I'm looking for, prevention being better than cure...
 
There is a simple way to do this online with a tool from http://en.savefrom.net/ without needing to install software. I have used it once in the past and I was happy with the result. If you are worried about the site you could do this using an incognito mode in a browser so your personal details are not available.

If you visit a page from youtube like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jdiJXHIYYI and just replace the '[broken link removed].' part with 'ss' (ssyoutube.com/watch?v=8jdiJXHIYYI) and press enter it will bring you to a page to down the video in mp4 format.
 
Brendan Burgess said:
I want to copy a youtube clip

I gather that I need a video converter

There are a few to choose from, but how do I know if they are safe or not?

I have been reluctant to download free or even cheap software in the past because of this.

Brendan
Click to expand...

If you dont want to install software visit this site and put the youtube URL in select the quality you want and you can download
http://en.savefrom.net/
 
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