Most people use their computers every day. We hop on, boot up our daily programs, and get to working, browsing, shopping, or the million other things you can do on a computer. The thing is, a lot of the stuff we do on computers is supported by the software we download, often without a second thought. While viruses are obviously always a concern, it’s important to be conscious of the other types of software you download.
Shareware is a type of software that’s becoming more and more common, as the days of free (and we’re talking truly free) programs fade into the past. Here, we’ll talk about what shareware is, how safe it is, some common examples, and how it differs from other types of “free” software.
What is Shareware?
Shareware is a type of software that typically offers partial access to a certain program. Let’s take Adobe Acrobat and Photoshop, for example. Users can download these programs with basic features to use for free. The drawback is that to access the full breadth of features, you’ll have to pay up.
It’s essentially a limited trial of software, with varying levels of limitations and pushiness as to upgrading to the full-fledged program. So, while it is generally safe — provided it’s from a legitimate developer/business — there are some built-in annoyances you might encounter.
Common Types of Shareware
Shareware is more of a general category of software, with a few specific types that fit within the description. The main point of difference between types of shareware lies in how much of the software is actually provided for free, and how aggressively the shareware prompts users to upgrade. Below are some of the most common types of shareware.
1. Freemium Software
A freemium approach is quite common for both computer software and mobile applications — with the core functionality being available for free, and upgraded features being available for an additional cost. A simple example is something like Canva, where you can create and customize all sorts of content for free, but access to advanced features and content libraries requires a subscription. The easiest way to understand freemium software is that it provides free access to the core experience, with enhanced capabilities for paying users.
2. Demoware
Demoware (or trialware) provides, as its name suggests, a demo period of the entire software experience. Users will get access to all the bells and whistles, with the caveat that free access is limited to a number of hours or days. This is beneficial to users who want to make sure a program is useful before giving up their hard-earned cash. One thing to note with demoware is that it will often include something known as crippleware. This limits a valuable function of the software unless a full upgrade is purchased in order to keep people from taking advantage of the free trial.
3. Adware
Adware is when shareware can become a bit nefarious. Adware can be presented in one of two primary ways:
- Pop-up ads are quietly bundled in with the shareware, meaning you’ll face unwanted ads from unrelated companies that have paid the shareware provider to incorporate ad pop-ups into the download. Think mobile games, where you can play for free but have to deal with 30-second ads every few minutes — annoying, but legitimate.
- The second is much more troublesome than built-in ads. In this case, malicious adware (like scareware) is snuck in as a separate download. This additional downloaded adware can result in constant computer pop-ups and even unwanted gathering and selling of user information.
You should always be cautious when downloading things from the internet, but if a shareware download is known to be bundled with adware, it’s best to avoid it.
4. Nagware
Similar to ad-based shareware, nagware provides free use of the shareware software, but with varying (and often highly annoying) amounts of nagging pop-up ads compelling users to pay for an ad-free experience. While it can be irritating, this is a legitimate way developers can convert free users into paying users.
5. Donationware
Donationware is shareware that gives full access to a software’s capabilities and usually features a pop-up when first starting the program, asking for donations if the user finds the software helpful. It’s far less intrusive than nagware or adware, and there is no discernible difference in the product, should you donate or not.
Freeware vs. Shareware (vs. Open-Source)
On the surface, freeware and shareware are very similar, but there is one major and defining difference between the two — freeware provides software that users can download for free, and have complete access to without ever having to pay or add upgrades to.
One thing to note is that both differ from open-source software. The key difference is that open-source software can be modified and used for any purpose, including commercial uses, while the others are for personal use and likely require a purchased license to use commercially.
How to Stay Safe
Shareware is often safe, despite some (purposefully) annoying features that drive you to pay for some improvements. That doesn’t mean you should just download any software that claims to offer a service you need, however. When downloading anything from the internet, it’s important to only do so from trusted, well-established, and verified sources.
Beyond being cautious of the shareware’s source, there are certain elements within shareware that can put you at risk.
- Beware of fraudulent apps. Not only do you want to keep your downloads to known entities, but you also want to make sure you aren’t falling for a malicious duplicate. Because shareware is offered for free, users are less cautious when hitting “download.” Be careful when Googling downloads, as cybercriminals have been known to manipulate results so that their copy version pops up near the top of a search.
- Beware of dangerous ads. Free services still like to make money somehow, and the easiest way nowadays is to offer ad space within their software. While the shareware itself could be safe, there’s no guarantee the vetting process for offering ads is thorough, and thus it’s best to avoid clicking any ads that come across your screen.
- Beware of bundled software. We touched on this above in the adware section, but it’s worth discussing a little more. When downloading certain shareware, other sponsored software is sometimes snuck into the download folder. When installing, take your time when giving permissions, and always be on the lookout for opt-out boxes for anything other than the desired software.
- Beware of out-of-date shareware. Free software can be great, but as with most things, you get what you pay for. Shareware doesn’t always have the most up-to-date security and support, meaning hackers can target outdated software to act as a gateway for getting malware onto people’s computers. The best strategy is to keep all software as updated as possible and avoid installing anything that appears to be abandoned when it comes to receiving updates.
Final Thoughts
With the role technology has taken in our lives, downloads and online services are part of our daily norm. Many of these services can be incredibly helpful, but it’s still important to exercise caution when downloading programs onto your devices.
The same can be said for real-life interactions — just like you should know who you’re downloading from, you should also know who you’re possibly interacting with. Spokeo’s people search tool makes that part easy, with a vast database and intuitive search tool that gives you answers.
Cyrus Grant is a writer from Southern California with a background in law and dispute resolution. When he isn’t writing, he can be found deep-diving into the latest technology trends or simply spending time at the beach.