Is downloading free software safe?

Downloading free software is safe when the source is right and risky when it isn't — the software being free is not the risk factor; the download path is. Safe paths: the project's official website, official app stores, package managers (winget, Homebrew, apt, Flatpak), and the project's own GitHub Releases page. Risky paths: 'download portal' sites that wrap installers in their own bundlers, ad results above the real site in search, and anything arriving via popup ('your Flash is out of date').

Habits that cover you: reach downloads via the project site rather than search ads, read the installer screens (bundleware asks consent in tiny checkboxes), and be suspicious of a famous free product hosted on an unfamiliar domain.

Well-known open-source software from official sources is among the safest software there is — audited code, no dark incentives.