Download manager explained

A download manager is a type of software that manages the downloading of files from the Internet, which may be built into a web browser, or as a standalone program.

Functions

A download manager manages files being downloaded from the internet.[1] Download managers break down files into multiple chunks for faster download speeds and allocate resources for downloading multiple items simultaneously.[2] Failed downloads can also be restarted from a download manager.[3] Download managers may be separate programs or may be built into web browsers or other programs, such as Firefox's and Telegram's built-in download managers.[4] [5]

Criticism

Download managers are occasionally used to spread malware or advertisements onto a user's computer. For example, the download page for Free Download Manager was hacked and used to spread malware on Linux devices from 2020 to 2022.[6] [7] Other download managers have been noted to contain advertisements, be identified as malware by antivirus software, or attempt to install unwanted software during installation.[8] [9]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Meier . Reto . Professional Android . Lake . Ian . 2018-08-23 . John Wiley & Sons . 978-1-118-94954-2 . en.
  2. Web site: Definition of download manager . 2024-04-14 . PCMAG . en.
  3. Web site: Agarwal . Shubham . 2019-06-13 . Do You Need a Download Manager on Android? The 3 Best Apps Worth Trying . 2024-04-14 . MUO . en.
  4. Book: Yeow, Cheah Chu . Firefox Secrets . 2005 . SitePoint Pty Ltd . 978-0-9752402-4-3 . en.
  5. Web site: Neowin ยท . Paul Hill . 2024-04-14 . How to use Telegram's well-hidden download manager . 2024-04-14 . Neowin . en.
  6. Web site: Das . Ankush . 2023-09-13 . Linux Malware! Read This If You Use Free Download Manager . 2024-04-14 . It's FOSS News . en.
  7. Web site: Craig Hale . 2023-09-13 . This free download manager site actually just redirected Linux users to malware for years . 2024-04-14 . TechRadar . en.
  8. Web site: Fisher . Tim . 2023-11-09 . 8 Best Free Download Managers . 2024-04-14 . Lifewire . en.
  9. Web site: Sharma . Ax . 2022-09-24 . Fake Chrome extension 'Internet Download Manager' has 200,000 installs . 2024-04-14 . BleepingComputer . en-us.

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