how do you avoid adware/ spyware?

[aliscard]

hi there,
i'm a new user and have only downloaded a few tv episodes but somehow managed to introduce some adware & viruses to my system despite good security (trend). My pc has now been cleaned up (hopefully!). i think the main culprit was YTL downloader program (which i thought i needed to run utorrent) but my main question is how do you know which program downloads are safe on this site. i'm only interested in downloading tv programs, not movies, music or games.
Any advice gratefully appreciated!

[BigDogMoya]

When downloading torrents use a trusted torrent down loader like uTorrent or Bitorrent. Another way to make sure to stay away from viruses is to read the comment on torrents and/or download from verified uploaders.

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Also if all you want is TV shows, download from eztv or straight from their website eztv.it.

[System Folder]

Here's another tip: rather than double-clicking on a downloaded video file, open it with the open command from within your video player. If it won't open, there might be something wrong with it. Ex. corrupt, malware, virus, etc. If it asks for your admin password when trying to open it, there's something fishy.

[aliscard]

thanks so much for your advice! very helpful and i'll try to be a bit more careful.
cheers

[ddoking007]

along with those advice If you find any viruses its generally a good Idea to report it if its from this site... and trust me they take those down fast.... though I used to use Vuse but found it hard to upload new torrents with it....

but like any good thing if it said's you need something you don't want to trust it....

[SubZero]

Use Avast Free & Malwarebytes

https://www.malwarebytes.org/
http://www.avast.com/en-us/index

[yass100]

Microsoft has a good antispyware/adware program called Windows Defender, which you can download,, It only runs on Windows XP, however. It not only scans your PC, but also blocks new spyware/adware.

[Lightsky]

... Windows Defender, which you can download,, It only runs on Windows XP, however.

You can run Defender on Windows 7/8/Vista as well

[ShadyJay]

I run and hide. And don't answer the door.