Downloading software safely on Windows
A lot of Windows malware arrives dressed up as software you meant to install. A few simple habits keep you safe.
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Get software from the source
Download programs from the maker's own website or the Microsoft Store, not from a random "free download" site that appears in search results. Those sites often bundle extra, unwanted software with the thing you actually wanted.
Check who made it
When you run an installer, Windows shows a User Account Control prompt asking for permission. Read it. A trusted program shows a verified publisher name. If the publisher is "Unknown" and you weren't expecting it, stop and check before continuing.
Understand the pop-up
The User Account Control prompt is the pause that asks "are you sure?" before something makes changes to your PC. If a prompt appears when you didn't just start an install, that's a warning sign. Say no, and look into what triggered it.
If in doubt, don't
If a download or a prompt feels off, close it. You can always find the official version later. Nothing is lost by being cautious for a minute.
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