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Free Stationery Risks

Let's talk about free stationery risks for a minute. While the fact that you can download free Outlook stationery is great, there are some things to watch out for before you do so.

In the past, free downloads like stationery have been used as a way to get spyware, adware, and viruses onto people's computers. While I think it is less of a problem now, it is something to be aware of.

Another thing to be aware of when downloading free stationery is that some companies take the opportunity to install all sorts of extra stuff on your computer. Not necessarily spyware or adware or viruses, but stuff you probably don't want. For example, here is a generic list of some of the things one stationery package (from a big-name company no less) installs on your computer when you download their stationery:

  • A search box that gets added to your web browser
  • Something that redirects you when you enter a misspelled web address
  • A tool to insert smileys into your messages
  • Something that adds icons to instant messenger buddy lists
  • A program that creates email signatures
  • NINE more things like this, including the stationery you actually wanted to download in the first place.

    Even though it isn't spyware or adware, you don't need all that stuff installed on your computer. If the free stationery that comes with Outlook and is available direct from Microsoft isn't enough, your best bet is to stick with a trusted source like Cloudeight Stationery.



    That's it for this Free Stationery Risks page. From here you can:

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