PowerISO is a popular software program with many features that help you create, manage, and store ISO files.
If you’ve read online comments about the program, you may have seen mixed reviews regarding its safety, although it has a paid version, too.
Can you pay for a license for a program and still experience safety and security threats?
Read on to learn how safe PowerISO is and what you can do to ensure the highest safety levels.
Is PowerISO Safe?
One of the best ways to make sure a software program is safe and virus-free is to run virus tests and see if any red flags appear.
Several websites have run these tests and reported satisfactory results regarding the absence of viruses in the software.
For example, Download3k ran a comprehensive test using the most reliable antiviruses, including Avast, Avira, McAfee, etc.
The results showed that version 8.0 of the software contains no form of badware, viruses, adware, or spyware.
The website has also published all the scan logs that show the software is clean and reliable.
Another website that tested and published the virus scan results is Lo4d.com.
They tested PowerISO8.exe on July 18, 2021, on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows versions and found that it was clean of viruses and malware.
They used more than 20 antivirus applications, including Avira, Bitdefender, Avast, Microsoft Security Essentials, to name a few.
The virus scans conducted by Downloadastro also showed no threats.
They ran the tests using 50 security software programs, proving the latest version of PowerISO to be virus-free.
However, they warn that although it is virus-free, some scans may indicate the presence of adware.
In this case, it’s your choice to install it or not.
PowerISO Paid Version VS Free Version
According to the results from virus scans, the application is free of viruses, and you can treat it as legitimate software.
However, that’s not the case with the free version of the app.
Many users have reported that windows defender flagged the app’s free version as PUA (Potentially Unwanted App) while trying to install it.
The app’s free version is loaded with adware and bloatware, installing unwanted programs on systems.
Some users have also reported that the files that the free version’s installer installed on their systems were infected with trojans.
For example, a Reddit user on this thread found that one of the installed files was infected, according to VirusTotal.
They ran virus scans using 69 antivirus programs, out of which 29 reported infections.
However, the official PowerISO website and the program itself are safe and virus-free.
The only thing you should be careful about is the installer and the adware it tries to sneak into your system while installing the main program.
How To Install PowerISO Safely
PowerISO can be very safe depending on which version you use and where you get it from.
Therefore, you should always try to get it from a legitimate website, specifically the official PowerIso website.
If you get the app from third-party websites or get the cracked version, it’s highly likely that the software you get isn’t safe.
According to the reports by users, the paid version is safer than the free version because its installer doesn’t contain adware.
If you can get the paid version, you’ll be much safer.
That said, the installer and Windows Defender notify you when the installer tries to install a bundled program.
You could simply reject the installation to proceed to install the main file.
However, not every adware gives you this warning, and some of them may manage to disguise themselves as legit installation files and end up in your system.
Watch Out For PowerISO.exe
If you choose to download the free version, make sure to run a thorough virus scan, look for any newly installed programs, and inspect them carefully to ensure they don’t contain viruses.
For example, if you find a file called PowerISO.exe, it may be a potential threat.
It’s an executable file that could be a legitimate part of PowerISO, or it could be a virus or trojan.
To make sure it’s not a threat
1. Check Its Location And Installation Path
Right-click on the file and select “open file location.”
The only legit path is C:/Program Files/poweriso/poweriso.exe.
When you look at the properties of the .exe file, its size should be around 4.83 Mb. Otherwise, it may not be a good Windows process.
2. Use Microsoft Defender
Windows Defender is a built-in Windows security tool that comes in all Windows versions.
You can use it to scan the PowerISO.exe file for any possible threats.
Right-click on the file and select “Scan with Microsoft Defender.”
3. Scan The File On VirusTotal
If you want to be super-cautious and make sure everything is safe, you can upload the .exe file on VirusTotal.com.
It’s a service that analyzes files for security and safety using more than 25 antimalware tools and engines.
Sometimes, you may get false positives, especially with less-known engines and vendors.
In these cases, you can refer to comments made in the VirusTotal community about the file and use their experiences.
4. Check The Publisher
One of the most important factors that help you find out whether a file is legitimate is if its publisher is known or not.
It should have a signature from Microsoft or a major software company because, otherwise, you can’t trust it.
In the case of PowerISO.exe, it should be signed with Power Software Ltd.
Right-click on the file and look under the “Digital Signature” option to see the file’s publisher.
The publisher’s URL is www.poweriso.com.
5. Use Windows Sandbox
The latest versions of Windows come with a free Sandbox feature that helps you determine the safety of applications.
You can run PowerISO in the protected environment provided by the Sandbox on your PC.
Find Windows Sandbox in the search box by typing its name, and once you find it, run the tool.
Then, copy the .exe file and paste it into the Sandbox.
After you run it, you’ll see how it works, and windows will tell you about its security.
6. Use Microsoft Process Explorer
You could also use Microsoft’s Process Explorer to confirm the legitimate path of the .exe file.
After starting the program, click on “Options” and locate “Check Legends.”
Then select View > Select Columns > Verified Signer.
In this stage, you add a verified signer in the columns, and if you see “Unable to Verify” for a process, it could be a threat.
You could also use adware remover programs such as Malwarebytes to ensure your system is clean and remove unwanted programs, extensions, toolbars, or homepage hijack.
How To Uninstall PowerISO
If you’re sure that PowerISO isn’t safe and contains harmful files, you should uninstall it.
To uninstall PowerISO,
Type Apps & Features in the Search Box on the bottom left corner of your screen.
Scroll down the page to find PowerISO or type it in the search box on the top right corner.
Once you find it, right-click on it and select “Uninstall.”
Follow the on-screen prompts to finish uninstalling.
Alternatives To PowerISO
PowerISO is a disc image processing tool that allows you to perform various tasks on your image files.
You can create, open, burn, extract, compress, edit, encrypt, and convert these image files.
It allows you to use files from CDs, DVDs, or any other collections on your computer, mount these files on virtual drives, and back them up in an ISO file in addition to burning them on discs.
As mentioned earlier, it has a free version and a premium version, which gives you more benefits and functionalities.
Apart from the unwanted adware, the free version keeps sending you popups to thank you for using the app when you launch it.
Plus, it doesn’t allow you to save files over 300 MB at a time.
It works with all Windows versions, from Windows 98 to Windows 10, and requires at least 10 MB of space on your hard disk and 64 MB of free memory.
Although the app’s premium version doesn’t cost much, you can find other apps with similar services and quality.
1. UltraISO
One of the best alternatives to PowerISO is UltraISO, which also comes with a free and a paid version that costs exactly as much as PowerISO.
It allows you to:
- Extract ISO files and folders.
- Burn images on a CD or DVD in an ISO format.
- Create bootable flash drives, CDs, and DVDs.
- Convert many image formats to NRG, CCD, MDS, in addition to ISO files.
- And much more.
It also has a double-window UI with a straightforward interface to save space with an optimized file structure.
2. Daemon Tools
Daemon Tools is another popular software that can be a perfect replacement for PowerISO with many options.
You can mount disc images of all formats on a virtual drive and create images of the files on a CD or DVD.
One of the best features of Daemon Tools is its different versions, especially one for MAC OS.
Each of these versions is differently priced, based on the features it offers.
You can edit and convert images into any format you want and create bootable ISO images.
The tool offers many flexible storage options, allowing you to save your images on your PC, an external drive, optical media, or a cloud space.
It also offers high security levels by encrypting your files through TrueCrypt Security.
And the tool’s most important feature is its user-friendly UI and minimalistic look that makes navigation super easy.
2. WinCDEmu
This open-source tool is a great alternative to PowerISO as WinCDEmu can do many of its basic functions and much more.
It’s easy to navigate, allowing you to convert your file formats with a couple of clicks.
After installation, double click on the file type of your choice, mount it and then make the CD/DVD autorun.
Most importantly, it has a version that doesn’t need installation, which means you can run it on your system without even installing an app.
You don’t need to open the app’s main interface to mount an ISO image.
3. AnyBurn
AnyBurn is a great alternative to PowerISO that’s free and runs on older Windows versions, including XP.
The most important advantage of AnyBurn is that it doesn’t affect your system’s performance since it doesn’t take much of the system’s resources.
The app has a very organized interface, classifying its many features on separate panes.
It allows you to burn the files at your desired speed and specify the target drive to store the file on.
It allows you to burn files to disc and copy or erase the whole discs, create backups, and mount them on CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray.
With its low system requirements, it doesn’t take much space from your system, occupying little CPU and memory, and it works on a memory of 64MB.
Safety Precautions When Downloading Files
Safely navigating the online world is challenging, with all the potential threats of cyberattacks lurking everywhere.
You should always know where your files come from and which links you click on.
Here’s what you can do to make sure you’re always safe:
1. Don’t Click On Unsolicited Links
If you want to download an app or software program, make sure the link comes from a trustworthy source.
If a link seems suspicious, trust your gut and ignore it.
Don’t trust the download links you receive from an unknown source in your email, text, or social media direct messages unless you’re 100% sure where they come from.
As mentioned earlier, always download software programs from their official websites.
If you download the app from third-party sources, make sure to run your antivirus software in the background and always keep it updated.
Although the cracked software you get from these sources isn’t always infected, you should always be diligent and take ultimate safety precautions.
2. Steer Clear Of Installers
If you download the software from a download website, chances are they wrap the app inside a program known as an installer.
As was the case with PowerISO, these installers contain adware and PUPs that you download unknowingly and may harm your system.
If you have no other option, download the package but make sure you know what you install and what you agree to.
3. Choose The Custom Installation Option
When you decide to download an app from a website, carefully read what you see on the download page.
Make sure you know what you choose, and never click on anything that seems fishy.
If the website gives you the option, always choose “Custom Installation” over other suggested methods.
You may get tired of seeing all those screens and the longer installation process, but there’s an added advantage.
If the installation package comes with bundles, this option enables you to choose “Don’t Install This” to avoid unwanted programs.
4. Check Online Forums
It’s always a good idea to know what other people have done in your situation.
Before downloading anything from a website, check if there’s an online forum attached to it and read what people say about it.
Make sure to read all their opinions and see if they’ve used the website to download the program you want.
If they say they haven’t experienced any problems, you can rely on their opinions and hope you’ll be safe.
If the download page has a comments section, you can also rely on the users’ comments.
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