Which shareware programs are safe to use?

Question

Some shareware programs are spyware, such as LimeWire (even though they say it's not). Does anyone know of a shareware program that's not spyware?

Some shareware programs are spyware, such as LimeWire (even though they say it's not). I've even checked it with the Norton Anti-Spyware program on the Yahoo toolbar. Does anyone know of a shareware program that's not spyware?

I downloaded BearShare. Is it safe?

Answer 1

You are thinking of P2P file sharing. Shareware is a type of liscensing for applications (ex freeware, opensource, software) There are some that are more private, like bearshare, but there is no way you will be completely safe. since youa re sharing with other users, you will almost certainly have attacks launched at your computer through the files you are sharing. Even if you have a good anti-virus, these types of networks allow for new undiscovered viruses to spread quickly.

You can learn more about p2p here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer-to-peer

Answer 2

You likely still have a bug.

I use 3 systems to keep my computer virus/malware free and all 3 are free with updates. These are all compatable with each other. have had no problem for years

AVG is the first it works great and has found many threats.
http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html

Second is ADAWARE this thing sniffs out the best of malware there is no subsitute.
http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10639408.html?tag=lst-0-1

Third is the most important. SpyNoMore sniffs out anything that AVG and Adaware cant find. Its a free download and I use it to identify threats and then I delete them manually so I dont have to pay. It also has free daily definition updates and finds more than you would expect.
http://www.spynomore.net/
Click on scan now and download the software.
Manually delete entries that it finds.

This software finds many registry key threats
To edit them go to Start/ run and enter regedit Make sure you drill down to the "EXACT" extension listed in the threat console.
and then simply delete.

Make sure you do a Start/run msconfig on your machine and goto start up and take out any programs you dont want booting into your memory on startup.

Also make sure you keep your c:\doucumentsandsettings\local... user"\temp and Temporary internet files clean, all that should be left is the index file in these folders when you clean your system.

Also do a defrag and diskscan from your start/allprograms/accessories/... tools

These are the most important things to keep your system clean

Jockee

Answer 3

The Limewire program is spyware free but what you can download using it is often infected with viruses, spyware, malware etc. You will be downloading "stuff" from unknown stranger's computers while they will be uploading from your computer at the same time. You do not download from any Limewire website.

Always scan every file you download with your anti-virus and your anti-spyware before you open it.

The same holds true for most P2P file-stealing programs.

Answer 4

AdawareSE is a great freeware program to clean your computer

Answer 5

bit torrents are good