Is it safe to download skin and themes for my computer?

What is a skin? What is a Theme? Skin is s most often used word by computer users. You may wonder what can be the relation between a computer and skin? What is the meaning of Skin. Now what is the literal meaning of skin. Skin is used to cover our body. Isn't it? Similarly, the term skin in computer is used to refer to the interface or look and feel of any program or application. There are many skins available in the internet that can be downloaded freely.

For instance, some popular media players such as WinAmp, Music Match, Real One or Windows media player have many skins provided by third parties. There are many ways you can download these skins and use it in your computer. In any windows software, from the menu choose 'Options' or 'Preferences'. There you may find the option to 'Change Skin' or 'Change theme'. Not all software will have this feature. If the software has this feature to change skin or theme then you can download your favorite skin or theme and apply it on your software.

For example, if you use Netscape version 6 or higher then select 'View' and click on 'Apply theme' and 'Get New themes'. This will bring you to the 'Theme park'. Here you will see many different skins and themes that can be downloaded. Once downloaded you can apply it to your Netscape software and the whole look and feel will change to the new theme.

But beware of one thing. When you download these free skins and themes from internet, the skin developer may embed the 'spyware or adware' in these skins to spy on your activities or to steal your personal particulars. For example a company that provides skins namely hot bar, openly states in its website that if you download skins from their website they will monitor the which websites you visit, which search engines you use and other details. Just for the sake of a skin, are you willing to share your personal details. Not only that, they will also show advertisements in your computer. Another such company is Neo Planet. In their website they declare that those who download and use their skins, their emails and browsing habits will be collected and shared with their partner companies. These partner companies who get your personal data will then send you SPAM emails selling and advertising their products.

In this world nothing comes free. How can someone give you skins and themes free after spending so much of their time on programming and developing the skin. Who will pay for their programming effort. Their only way to get money is to gather your personal details and sell it to companies.

Therefore, be very cautious and careful while downloading these skins to your computer.