Is download.cnet.com Safe?

CNET went to great lengths to assure visitors to its download site claiming that the software I was about to download was "absolutely safe and free of any viruses or malware." CNET was adamant that they had thoroughly scanned the software and determined it was safe. The product I downloaded and installed was called "Eltima" and it was loaded with malicious hijacking malware that was tenacious and difficult to remove. Most importantly - when I repeatedly notified CNET of the problem, with extensive documentation as proof. they couldn't have cared less. They never once took any action to removed the INFECTED software. CNET continued to download that infected Eltima software for over a year -- even after they knew, with dead certainty, that it contained malware. That makes CNET a dangerous, malevolent, intentional purveyor of malicious software. It also discloses CNET as an untrustworthy, dishonest willing partner with malicious software vendors determined to infect and hijack users' computers. WARNING!!!! DO NOT DOWNLOAD ANYTHING FROM CNET.

I was referred to this site to download DiskMax, and in the process decided to decline their downloader, and yet it eventually disregarded my choice, and forced on me their downloader that installed itself, AND WORSE it also installed WebCake 3.00 - which is a virus that infects your registry entries so that it can replicate and reinstall. You can't uninstall it using normal methods, and so I had to go through pain and do a window restore. AVOID THIS WEBSITE !!!

Just got a hit with a Heur.suspicious, and malware from a download from a download.cnet program they allow. My virus scanner caught it before it installed thankfully. Also the toolbars are always suspicious, and I will never accept them. Shame on cnet

The Good: Many programs are listed on this download site. The reviews are the main reason I visit - if they did not do the reviews I doubt I would ever visit. The Bad and Ugly: Many "editor" reviews are superficial and imply the software is perfect. The user reviews are filled with bias - not so unusual, but a warning to tread carefully. I always start with the Negative reviews to see the worst possible case, then check with the software makers website, and WOT and Softpedia to get a clearer picture. I shouldn't have to do all this, but the last time I jumped at a piece of software (free) rated high by the editor, it installed a rogue IM client and I had to invoke three pieces of cleanup software to disable, kill and remove it. Not good. They have their own download client, which will bring you lots of additional ads.

I have used this site many times in the past without difficulty. However, twice I have recently tried to download software from this site. Both times I was given the option of refusing the installation of several other sets of software in addition to my desired software. In all cases I declined but some were installed anyway. These caused changes to my browser start page and included unwanted toolbars. All were difficult to uninstall or remove.