It hasn't been too long ago that one of the major US computer manufacturers learned that the OEM CDs they were shipping with their units contained a rather nasty virus. It wasn't installed on the machines - but you got it if you re-installed.

It hasn't been too long ago that one of the major software suppliers had a similar experience. Apparently the "job shop" that burned the CDs for them was infected.

In both cases, these vendors acted promptly to help anyone "injured." Small, but some, consolation to those affected.

There is NO source that's absolutely "safe," but common sense and dealing with reputable and known sources do give some protection. ANYTHING that claims to be "free" should be suspect.

You can probably be reasonably assured that the CDs that come with a "reputable" magazine have been scanned for viruses, but it should not be surprising if they include "spyware" of some sort. They "need" to know if you use the software, for their own circulation/advertising purposes. You have NO real assurance that they're still "virus" clean if you "take a copy from a buddies machine," or if you download from some "bootleg" website or FTP. In most cases, neither is necessary, since most magazines that attach such CDs/DVDs have a web site where you can download their "utilities" for free (if you don't consider looking at their popups a cost).

John