Likely Safe
Current checks lean positive for this site, supported by no major malware/phishing detections and long visible domain history (30.3 years).
content related to cybersecurity tools for malware and phishing defense; online gaming
Review sentiment:
Unfavorable
2.9 / 5
★★★☆☆
Based on analysis of 30 reviews from SmartCustomer and other public sources.
Last checked March 16, 2026 at 11:37 AM by
Gridinsoft Trust Model v2.4.1
Share this report?
CNET Download is a website that offers free software downloads and reviews for Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS devices. Users can find a wide range of software applications and utilities across various categories such as productivity, multimedia, security, and more. The site provides detailed reviews, ratings, and user feedback to help users make informed decisions about the software they download. It serves as a trusted source for downloading software and staying updated with the latest releases and trends in the tech world.
We reviewed download.com and found mostly positive signals. Current checks lean toward a legitimate, lower-risk profile, although a few caution points still keep it short of a fully verified standing. The current trust score is 91/100. Key signals include no major malware/phishing detections, a domain age of 30.3 years, and presence in public traffic rankings. Public feedback is mixed, so service quality, refunds, and order handling should still be checked. Verify file authenticity, download sources, and site ownership details before downloading files from this site.
Figure 2.
Website screenshot for Download.com.
2026-03-16 13:37:58
FAQ
Is download.com safe?
Based on current analysis, download.com appears to be generally safe. No major malware or phishing threats were detected, and a domain age of 30.3 years and presence in public traffic rankings support this assessment. Basic verification is still reasonable before relying on the site.
Why does download.com look trustworthy?
Key factors include registrar information (CSC Corporate Domains, Inc.), hosting in BE, and content related to cybersecurity tools for malware and phishing defense; online gaming. Major malware and phishing engines did not report active blacklist detections at the time of review. The trust score blends security detections, domain and infrastructure signals, on-page behavior patterns, and public review history when available. Taken together, these factors support a mostly positive trust assessment.
Download Digital Footprints
A structured view of the site's detected themes, page signals, and related online footprint elements.
Cybersecurity
IP TV
Sports
Games
Music
Reviews
Downloads
Phones
Microsoft Software
Advertising Network
Cookie Consent
This site implements a cookie-consent interface for managing tracking and data-collection preferences.
Google Tag Manager
This website uses Google Tag Manager to add and update tracking tags on its website.
Multilanguage
The website provides multi-language support, demonstrating international accessibility and commitment to diverse user populations. Multi-language implementation typically indicates professional development standards and global operational scope, representing a positive trust indicator.
Popular Site
This site shows elevated traffic signals relative to similar domains; this is generally positive but does not by itself prove legitimacy.
Social Media Links
The presence of social media links on the website indicates that it references social media accounts. This signal alone does not confirm ownership or authenticity of those profiles.
Established Domain
download.com has maintained active domain presence over time, indicating operational continuity.
Verified X Profile
Ownership verification confirms that this site controls the X profile @DownloadNow (This site) (17,023 followers, 361 following, 10,743 posts, listed 461 times, since 2009, no account badge).
Corporate Registration
This domain is registered through a corporate-focused registrar, CSC Corporate Domains, Inc., commonly used by established organizations for managed domain protection and portfolio control.
Strong Community Presence
download.com has ownership-verified social or community presence with substantial audience reach.
Domain Information
CreatedFebruary 24, 1996 at 5:00 AMUpdated: February 21, 2026 at 6:24 AM · Expires: February 25, 2027 at 5:00 AM
Domain StatusClient Transfer ProhibitedDNSSEC: UNSIGNED
Top Level Domain.comGeneric TLD
Technical Details
IP Address35.187.33.31
Hostname31.33.187.35.bc.googleusercontent.com
Hosting ProviderAS396982 Google LLCBrussels, Brussels Capital, BE
SSL CertificateR12TLS 1.3 · Valid for: 3 months · from February 25, 2026 at 12:43 PM · to May 26, 2026 at 12:43 PM
Name Serversns-cloud-d1.googledomains.com ns-cloud-d2.googledomains.com ns-cloud-d3.googledomains.com ns-cloud-d4.googledomains.com
Content Analysis
Website titleFree Software Downloads and Reviews for Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS - CNET Download
Website descriptionCNET Download provides free downloads for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android devices across all categories of software and apps, including security, utilities, games, video and browsers
geolocation.onetrust.comwww.facebook.comab.dns-finder.comad-delivery.netsecurepubads.g.doubleclick.netaf2572d296b3ec210c1272fefc9e427c.safeframe.googlesyndication.comep1.adtrafficquality.googleimages.dwncdn.netc.amazon-adsystem.comdownload.comassets.dwncdn.netwww.google.comwww.youtube.combtloader.combat.bing.com
and 12 more
Security Analysis
Detection SignaturesThese signatures are used to generate the security fingerprint below.
Verified ServicesThis domain has been verified by the following legitimate services and organizations, confirming authentic ownership and proper email security configuration.
Google Verification
Domain ownership verified by Google.
Include
Ip4
Microsoft 365
Microsoft cloud productivity suite (Office, email, etc.).
Security FingerprintUnique identifier based on site analysis
Download.com is ranked within the top 50,000 websites globally.
Loading...
Provider warnings: 0/27 No provider warnings
This section shows what trusted security sources say about this site.
A warning appears when one or more sources report malware, phishing, abuse, or other safety concerns. Each row shows the source and its verdict.
If no source reports a warning, the site is shown as clear in this section.
BBB
Clean
BitDefender
Clean
Kaspersky
Clean
ESET
Clean
Sophos
Clean
Google Safebrowsing
Clean
Fortinet
Clean
G-Data
Clean
Webroot
Clean
Dr.Web
Clean
Forcepoint ThreatSeeker
Clean
CyRadar
Clean
Lionic
Clean
Quick Heal
Clean
Phishing Database
Clean
Phishtank
Clean
OpenPhish
Clean
alphaMountain.ai
Clean
Netcraft
Clean
Sucuri SiteCheck
Clean
Criminal IP
Clean
URLhaus
Clean
Emsisoft
Clean
Spam404
Clean
Trustwave
Clean
VX Vault
Clean
Quttera
Clean
Download.com blocked? Check the provider verdict report created on March 16, 2026
Are You the Owner?
If you own Download.com and want to challenge the trust score, please submit a review request via portal.gridinsoft.com. There you can claim your profile and add verified company/contact details. If you cannot access the portal, email legal(at)gridinsoft.com with proof of legitimacy and contact details. We never charge website owners for reviews or reconsideration requests. For more information, please review our Disclaimer.
A website report warns you. A PC scan protects you.
Unsafe sites can leave adware, unwanted apps, or hidden malware in downloads and browser settings. Run Gridinsoft Anti-Malware to check what may already be on this Windows PC.
Checks active threats, startup items, and suspicious downloads
Finds adware and unwanted apps linked to unsafe websites
Shows scan results before you decide what to remove
Your comment is currently undergoing moderation and will be published shortly.
Help protect others by sharing this page on social media! The more people who know about download.com, the fewer chances they have to deceive someone else.Help others evaluate download.com by sharing this page on social media!
Help protect others by sharing this page on social media! The more people who know about download.com, the fewer chances they have to deceive someone else. Help others evaluate download.com by sharing this page on social media!