Beware of Downloading Files from the Internet

Dear Monica, I get annoyed when I browse the Internet and it seems like every website is telling me to install plugins before I can view their content.  Can I view websites without being forced to download extra plugins and security updates?  Sincerely, Very Annoyed by Plugins

Dear Very Annoyed by Plugins, Never feel like you must download and install plugins just to view content on a website.  In fact, be very cautious with any website that claims you must download an .exe file before they will allow you to view their images, or videos, or text, or any type of content.  Sometimes a computer may need the web browser software to download and install plugins, but never download from websites of ill repute. 

For example, Microsoft’s Silverlight plugin is needed to play videos on Netflix.com and that is a reputable website, so it should be safe to download a plugin while on Netflix.com. 

A website of ill repute will typically try to convince you that you must download an .exe file in order to view their content.  Sometimes the nasty website will try to convince you that your computer is infected and use scare tactics to try and trick you into downloading an .exe file.  Other times, a website of ill repute will trick you into downloading an .exe file by trying to imitate a reputable website.  Never, ever, ever, ever download an .exe from any website of ill repute.