I am trying to download audacity for windows 8 and getting a malware warning "pua.adware.downloadnfo

Hi anniestuff
 
Welcome to the Community Forums.
 
What you are being warned about is a non-malware program that that we term a PUA or Potentially Unwanted Application.
 
These are usually 'additional' programs, usually of a adware or similarly useless type that have been bundled with the program that you are looking to or have downloaded.  Usually, if one is carefully one can spot some of these as being offerred as additional options when you are running the installer...it is always wise, unless yo are sure that you want the options, to uncheck these boxes.  However, in some cases the user is given no choice and these programs get onto your system by stealth, and then take over your browswer, your search engine, cause popups advertising useless products, etc., to appear...as I said generally more of a nuisance then malicious or dangerous...but they can be hard to remove.
 
One key way to avoid them is to make sure that you download software from the author's own website or a website recommended by the author, and advoid getting the program from 3rd party websites.
 
If you are getting the warning from WSA as you are attempting to install software then check the options prwsented to you by WSA and it should make sure that this nasty does not get into your machine...but if you have any doubts or concerns, or if after installing you get any strange popups or strange search results, etc., then please Open a Support Ticket so that the Support Team can take a look at this for you.  This is a free service provided to WSA users with a current subscription.
 
Any further issues or questions please post back here and we will be pleased to try assist.
 
Regards, Baldrick