My son syas Limewire is safe to install. Is it true or should I NEVER let him install it?? Has anyone ever heard of anyone getting a virus from them? He tells me that they scan everything before it is added to their site, but others say it is easy to get a virus from them. What is really true? Please help so that I may make a decision on this. Thanks!
2007-02-02 20:30:00 · 17 answers · asked by true blu 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
Thanks everyone...your answers are really helpful!
2007-02-02 20:54:52 · update #1
limewire can harm your computer because it is a file sharing software. it uses peer2peer system.that means the files you download can be from anybodies computer from anywhere in the world. there is a high chance that your computer will get infected with some kind of virus or trojans.it is also a heaven for easy access to inappropriate contents. you will also be violating copyright laws as 90% of what you will download will be illegal. if you still want to install it i advise you use parental control options from the tool-properties menue and turn of uploads so that no one can access your pc.it will also make it harder for any one to trace you
2007-02-02 20:44:20 · answer #1 · answered by nickie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Limewire has some controls to block bad content, but it is NOT a fail safe approach. The available downloads come from many different file sharing programs in many cases and many different computers that may be infected with malware and they don't even know it. Grokster and Kazaa are quite common. Limewire does attempt to tell you of a bad download, but that is a 1 in 100 chance you are taking in trusting the program to do so. Even if it catches one download there are many more that can still sneak by with other malware attached.
Also:
If you are not a very computer savvy person I would suggest the following free programs to download, update and run at least once a week:
Ad-Aware SE
Spybot Search & Destroy
AVG Anti-Spyware
Spyware Blaster (only helps block bad sites not get rid of them)
CCleaner (Great overall cleaner for your system. Better than you Windows Disk Cleanup.)
If you would like to learn more about these programs visit Cnet Downloads and check out the reviews.
For a more in-depth evaluation you can also run HiJackThis and submit your log file to Cnet or any of a number of helpful sites to see if you have any further issues that may need to be resolved.
2007-02-03 04:45:15 · answer #2 · answered by AriKnight 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Limewire is safe to install. However, it uses the Gnutella network which other file sharing software uses also. You should be careful with downloading any file. They aren't scanned by Limewire or any other softare. Anyone can upload a file to the Gnutella network. If you have an antivirus program, then I would recommend scanning any file that he downloads. Just because the file is download doesn't mean that a virus will infect your computer. You have to actually click on the file and run it before a virus would be implanted so if you scan each file download prior to running it, that should be sufficient.
2007-02-03 04:35:41 · answer #3 · answered by cupidtoo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the program itself is safe, but the truth is that he can also download some virus with it. But it's not really a problem with Limewire. You should get good Anti-virus program to protect your computer anyway. As long as you're on internet, you can get some virus. So, install some good anti-virus program and you don't have to worry then. Anti-virus program will detect new virus and delete it or remove it somehow.
2007-02-03 04:40:04 · answer #4 · answered by Kontesa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Limewire is safe. The downloaded data MAY contain viruses. But, if you also use a good antivirus program (Kaspersky is the best and i can offer rebates, just mail me -- and there's also AVG free edition, which is a good and absolutely free antivirus) there's no reason to worry.
So, install an antivirus, then let your little pirate son install his limewire ;)
2007-02-03 04:34:09 · answer #5 · answered by andi schlangen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know a lot of people that have downloaded limewire and have no problems. I am sure that you will be fine. You do however need to regulate him from viewing porn videos on it. Those will cause a lot of pop-ups and porn sites always have stupid little viruses, but limewire itself is cool.
2007-02-03 04:34:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2014-09-16 13:02:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got a virus from limewire before!
but if you use it just for downloading MP3 files or image files. don't worry, just beware of EXE and Zip files and unknown format files.
2007-02-03 04:36:50 · answer #8 · answered by Robert 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is ok if he is only downloading .mp3 or .wma files.... (these are music files) but don't let him download games or programs which are files like .exe files these are possible viruses.... i downloaded one of these files and my anti-virus software found a virus..... limewire is a great program
2007-02-03 04:45:55 · answer #9 · answered by taniaisme 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Looks like you've got great answers! My son's
dad downloaded "LW" on our pc. I am slowly learning how to navigate,I'm not really great at it.There is this 'mystery' toolbar I can't seem to remove etc.
I need to learn the laws,I was told to be wary. We really haven't used it. However,I have much
more experience being a mother. I say,
"Trust your instincts!" You'll do the right thing ! Be well,good question! Thanks
2007-02-03 05:37:30 · answer #10 · answered by M-word 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋