I have now decided that i do not need any freebee's so you may say i am cured.Mainly due to the lack of care.Many are having problems with their computers and machines. I value my computers and machines as they are all computerized and i feel for all who do not have proper virus protection and who rely on free virus programs as they do not have full protection. And i will now only buy any new design that i may require but i don't think that i will run out soon.

Whether you download freebies or purchase designs, I would strongly advise that you store your digital media in two separate areas. For example, back up to DVD or CD, or have a separate hard drive to store everything; not just designs. DVDs are cheap. So if you back up once a month (say, on the 15th or any day that works for you), then you can always go back and retrieve almost everything. Most sites/people who are infected aren't even aware that they have a problem till the complaints start pouring in. Good luck with your endeavors in embroidery, and other artful pursuits.

Viruses can only attack Windows opperating systems. That is a fact. Viruses do not attack Apple Systems, cell phones, E-readers or sewing machines.

1 comment

by bowlds 06 Aug 2012

Apple computers can get viruses. Smart phone show vulnerablities that make them targets for viruses also, if not now, soon.

I have always heard to only use 1 virus program. Not 2. My computer guru agrees.

I've found this thread very interesting, but I have one thing to add and that's back up your computer frequently and in several ways. It takes a bit of time and thought but it's well worth it. I picked up a virus last year that got through my expensive, paid for virus protection and the virus came from a reputable site. But, thanks to back ups I didn't lose a thing, just time to clean out the computer and re-install everything. I now go on the internet via a little $200 netbook and my good laptop with it's expensive programs stays off completely. My adult children think I'm a bit paranoid but what do they know, they don't ME (LOL). There are cruel people out there trying to prey on the unsuspecting.

And I love my collection of designs although I have become rather selective both in purchasing and with freebies. It's fun!

You can get a virus even if you have paid protection. And you do not always get them by being on the internet. I got one a few years ago from a purchased CD of games and had to have my computer hard drive wiped and re-installed and the computer was never the same after that. If you are going to worry about getting viruses you should not go on the internet or buy any CD games etc. So I feel in life you just have to take some risks. Shirley

3 comments

by meganne 05 Aug 2012

So did you complain the the manufacturer/distributor of the Games CD? Couldn't you have sued for getting a virus on a retail CD?
I think it is unwise to give false security to people who browse the net, unprotected! EVERYBODY should have protection and should be HIGHLY AWARE of the risks.

by meganne 05 Aug 2012

and should be HIGHLY AWARE of the risks.

by shirley124 06 Aug 2012

I DO NOT browse the net unprotected. I was just stating that you can get a virus in another way.

Over the years I have found that you can get most designs at a fraction of cost on the regular sales. Sometimes I will download a freebie but for quite some time now I do not thrive on getting them anymore. I also can see on my software whether it is good or bad and then delete it. There are a lot of sites that I love and purchase from regularly even at the normal prices, that is when I really really want it. I also have a number of subscriptions but are selective when it comes to that - and guess what even through my purchases I will most likely qualify to be a design hoarder - lol.

1 comment

by babie 05 Aug 2012

Should have added that I normally do not purchase from unknown sit unless I have seen some of your projects and I can see the end result. That is why I love the project section so much. Thanks to all who post there.

I also have noticed more embroidery sites with virus warnings and I'm grateful to the Cutes that have posted these sites too, so I avoid those. As for freebies,that's what I started with but only download from places I feel comfortable with and only those designs I think I might use. Even if it is free, if I doubt I'd use it, I don't want to clutter up my computer with designs I won't use. I've had very good luck with the designs from Cuties. I don't have digitizing software so stick with those places and digitizers I know have well made designs.
Meri

I understand. But not sure the virus can transfer to the machine if you do not link directly to the computer, which I don't. a question I am going to ask, for sure!! However, that same virus warning came up when my DH was on line and he NEVER goes near an embrodiery site! As was stated earlier, think it may be in the ads on the side. Norton has shut down a page 2x today for that same stupid thing! Thankfully it catches it! It says it's "trying" not has done the virus.

3 comments

by meganne 05 Aug 2012

Ah Gerry, if you use a USB stick or smart card to transfer designs to your Emb machine, you can unwittingly transfer a virus.
I recently found a virus on one of my USB sticks that I had used on someone else's pc to copy family photo's. I had to throw the lot away.

by meganne 05 Aug 2012

throw the lot away. Hugs, Meg

by gerryb 05 Aug 2012

Oh, goodness. However, I don't use any of my USB sticks on anyone else's computer. I keep ones for sewing seperate. Will they be safe? If I know my computer doesn't have a virus? I have 2 virus checks on the computer.

I'm so grateful for all the free designs... I think it is so generous of the people sharing their work. Probably some are better than others but I look forward to seeing whatever someone cares to share. I also feels for grateful to the cuties that post, each day, the free designs. They help me everyday discover new sites and it's fun to touch base with the sites and chech out what they have to offer. I might never make all the designs but it's so fun to dream and who knows what I might need tomorrow.

I used to download freebies a lot to build up my library. Now, I only download freebies that I think I might actually use. If they are not from a digitizer I'm familiar with, I take a close look at it in my software to see how well digitized it is, and I code it so that I know to do a test stitchout before using it. I hate to paint everyone with the same brush, but we do have to treat every download as if it may carry a virus. It is only common sense to protect our valuable machines the best we can.

I don't download except from large, reputable sites like Embroidery Library, Urban Threads, BFC Creations, etc. I know there's a lot of freebies out there, and I don't need most of them. Quite a few are just badly auto-digitized and not worth having, let alone trying to sew out. I download or purchase what I'm not willing to digitize myself; $1 for a design I like is worth my not having to do it. So many newbies get so excited about freebies it becomes like an addiction, and like any addict they're not careful. Many just got computers because they needed them for their embroidery machines, and really don't understand the dangers of the internet, and don't have the proper virus & malware protection. I just cringed when people would talk about those Chinese sites with hundreds of pages of free downloads. First, they're giving away designs they don't have the right to give, unless I miss my guess. They were paid to digitize and embroider logos on shirts & caps; the logo & digital file belong to the contractor, not the digitizer to be given away. And, after people went there, they were getting fraudulent charges on their credit cards! Charges from somewhere in China, duh, for hundreds of dollars. Warning after warning, people refused to pay attention because they could get 'free' designs. I still see people suggesting those sites, and shake my head. Also, all the blogs are nice, and there are nice folks giving away their work for the fun of it. That's ok, but they're not always computer savvy, and baddies can take over sites & infect them without the owners even having any idea. The owner isn't a bad person, but these can be too easily compromised by hackers. I have very good virus protection, and if MacAfee warns or blocks, I'm not going there if there are a million free designs. My computer is a tool, not a toy; so are my machines. I don't put my tools in jeopardy. I won't run out of designs any time soon, either. It would take more lifetimes than I have to sew them all out once! Be careful out there, the internet is not a safe place. Hugs, Marji

4 comments

by pennyhal 04 Aug 2012

Well said.

by chenille 04 Aug 2012

Ditto that!

by airyfairy 05 Aug 2012

You have hit the nail on the head Marji. There are many sites out there that I am sure are not safe. Thank you for your post.

by phi4 05 Aug 2012

Thanks for taking time to explain it. I rarely download any more, I noticed that my risks have increased ever since I started to download.Thanks for the warning.

I could link staight to my Emb machine but I also am wary, so choose to trnsfere via a card.
I still DL some designs cos they hard to resist.
Happy Stitching!

1 comment

by pennyhal 04 Aug 2012

Never thought of that!

Not sure if i have understood compleatly,can we get a virus in our embroidery machines.

2 comments

by biddysews 04 Aug 2012

all compurters and computerized machines can crash they are only machines.Some machines work directley from their computers if you can corrut a phone with bad downloads why not your machine. Your Machine is prob your most expencive baby and it is a baby it relys on you to give it the best of service and threads and designs. and if its not happy it will let you know by jaming up chewing up material and threads or it will sew out of sync and if you feed it a corrupt design it may even die. Never take for granted any warning that the Cuties tell you you have been around a fair while to know who the long time cuties are.and how they all cared for one another and keept each other informed through the community.

by toet 04 Aug 2012

thankyou

I think that when one starts machine embroidery that all designs that are free we download like there is no tomorrow. Then at some point selectivity strikes and we collect less freebies. I very rarely collect freebies now but like others have a huge collection of designs I will never use. The plus point of designs is that they take up minimal storage space and our other halves are oblivious of our collections... unlike the fabric we carefully hide (or not)

2 comments

by bevgrift 04 Aug 2012

I wish my fabric and yarn could also be stored in a "zip" LOL
My hard drive is now larger but it still fits snug in the tower so no one can spy on the "space"

by phi4 05 Aug 2012

I notice a pattern with almost everyone who sews/embroiders, we all like to buy a lot of supplies. For the longest time, I thought it was just me!. It is comforting to know there are people out there just like me!. Thanks.

I am now just like you far more selective. Fed up with virus warnings and trouble not worth it.
Have good virus protection thank goodness, that has saved all a few times recently.

I too have become very selective. There are only a few sites that I buy from and do not download every design that comes down the "pike" As Meganne says there are too many that are poorly digitized. 99% of my designs come from Embroidery Library. They seem to stitch out very well. I only buy when designs are on sale. Hugs, Mary

I know what you mean also the cute site is just not what it used to be I won't be renewing I thought that the site was being renovated and I don't know what you would call it but it has gone in the reverse direction. It is just like no one cares that it has gone down hill and is just waiting for it to go under which it will eventually at this rate. Oh well I am only one person and that is my opinion.

2 comments

by rmj8939 04 Aug 2012

I have been waiting like forever for the site to be corrected. It was very nice before they tried to "fix" it.

by biddysews 04 Aug 2012

It is not the site I love the cute Designs and many of its members but there is now a lot more here now and a lot more recless espedially nin freebees and putting sites up that are known to be corrupt and as they to visit these sites are they to infected.

Yes, You are very wise to do that. If you go back over some of your previous freebies you may even find they were so poorly digitised, have jumps everywhere, etc. that you will probably start deleting them.
I stick to a few favourite places and either buy their specials or download their really nice gift designs. But only if it is a design that I wouldn't be able to digitise myself for the price it is for sale. Like $1.50 Embroidery Library Designs, or Gorgeous Sonia Showalter Free Alpha collections.
Yes, I have become very selective. :-)))
Hugs n love, Meganne

IF you plan on staying close with the Cute site all I can say is Good Luck!!! He He Welcome aboard.

1 comment

by biddysews 04 Aug 2012

I am an old cutie been recycled there are too many cuties having computer and machine problems over the last few months and i keep getting warnings from the same sites over and over i would rather play on the aire of caution. as cuties will be visiting these sites and in time they will find out. especially when they loose all and may even infect their machines.

Good for you! but for me i am a collector of designs! I know that i will probly never use all of them but for now there MINE!! i guess i am a hog for designs hugs

3 comments

by pennyhal 04 Aug 2012

Think of it as if you are a collector of art. Just as one collects beautiful paintings, you collect beautiful designs. You may not look at each one every day, but they are there to view and give you pleasure.

by chenille 04 Aug 2012

Well said!!

by meganne 05 Aug 2012

Unless you download a virus from an infected website and lose everything on your hard drive. Pretty difficult to view all those pretty designs once your HDD is wiped clean with one bad download.
As Elvis once sang: "Fools rush in....."