Assortment of downloads links

Hi all, apologies for my newness still having done some searches I am not able to find any answers

I have have managed to wade through A few download links so far, but lately the links are requesting downloads first and validations before downloads. Normally am pretty cluey with VPN and options but I spent a few hours downloading this morning one file that was too big so it zipped and was corrupted, the next wanted me to get opera and open it before downloading. Just various providers and links given.

As mentioned have done ok in the past but now question if I am missing something, Is there any hints and tips for providers based on the link supplied - appreciate bit of ask maybe a sticky with items in there ? Covering uploads and download process rather for those not initiated on the provider ?

Thanks