i was told that with limewire you can download music and movies for free but is it safe, does it have spyware, viruses,etc.?
2007-07-03 15:04:46 · 12 answers · asked by liz 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
Using Limewire, Kazza or ANY OTHER peer-to-peer (P2P) programs to illegally steal music, software and movies etc. without paying for it, is one of the leading causes of virus and spyware infections. Many downloads using P2P file-sharing programs are loaded with malware
LIMEWIRE IS NOT A WEBSITE.
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 website.
It is amazing that people who would never accept and eat a sandwich from a stranger, don't think twice about downloading a file to their PC from a perfect stranger, who lives half-way around the World!
If you don't know the difference between a .wmp (good) file from a .wmf (potentially very bad) file or a .zip from a .pif, then stay away from Limewire, Kazaa, and all P2P programs. The same is true if you don't know the difference between a song that is 25kb in size from one that is 3 mb in size. The smaller one is probably a Trojan, just waiting for you to infect your computer with.
P2P file-sharing is no place for computer novices. Even experienced expert users get infected using P2P at times.
If you must use P2P, always scan every file you download with both your anti-virus and your anti-spyware before you open it.
..................
And don't forget the legality issues.
Using Limewire or any other P2P file sharing program such as Kaaza or Bearshare, (free or paid) to download any copyrighted music, movies, software etc. in illegal in the USA.
It is fairly rare, but people do get sued and fined for using these P2P programs. Such as this 12 year old girl here:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/09/09/the_riaa_sees_the_face/
It's your right to use Limewire, just make an informed decision!
Good luck.
2007-07-03 16:03:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it is NOT "safe". ALL P2P has inherrant risks. If you are well educated you can minimize those risks. If you are not well versed in computers, you shouldn't use P2P. Limewire bearshare and frost appeal to the least educated and most naieve of all computer users and virus distributers know that and exploit it. The program itself is ok, its the users that are the problem, both those posting and those who are not knowledgable about computers to use P2P.
The music is NOT free. You may have physical possession of the file, but that does NOT mean you can play it legally. A month ago a girls parents had to pay 3000 fine and over 10,000 in legal fees. Also free music isn't so free if it turns your 2,000 computer into the performance of a 200 dollar computer.
I work for a large mfgr. Of the calls we recieve each day, about 75% are problems caused by spyware/malware/greyware/virus and of those a very large percentage have limewire. Yes, it may be because limewire users are less sophisticated.
2007-07-03 15:17:28 · answer #2 · answered by Harrison H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Limewire is very risky, especially if you allow them to use your computer if you share files with other users. I never share I don't like anyone having access to my computer(s). If I download anything from them I always scan it thoroughly with a number of applications before I install. I scan with Avast, AVG anti-spyware, A-squared free, and also Spyware Terminator.
I hope this Helps
2007-07-03 15:17:06 · answer #3 · answered by ComputersNstuff 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, if you download the wrong thing... Like a song shouldn't be more than 3,000-6,000 kb total... anything more than that probably isnt what you want. And you need to run a spy sweep every couple of days...
but you can get caught downloading on limewire. You have to keep everything out of your shared file or you can get in big trouble.
2007-07-03 15:12:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
LimeWire Basic is free, yes. LimeWire itself does not contain any viruses, spyware, or adware. Neither does the .mp3 files you download. But, if you download files such as .exe files, your almost guaranteed to have a virus.
2007-07-03 15:08:16 · answer #5 · answered by repinski23 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Can it music you and recognize the place you reside? No, "it" won't be in a position to yet while somebody gets carry of your IP handle and a courtroom order, they are in a position to. once you get carry of Limewire can it steals preparation out of your workstation? on condition which you tell it to, while your sharing, confirm you in basic terms share a particular folder, not the finished of "My documents" and once you login can it steals your password and privateness preparation? this does not even make experience, you do not login to GNUtella - you in basic terms run limewire. a virulent disease downloaded from limewire and ran can thieve your preparation, so do not run viruses.
2016-09-29 00:58:37 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Relatively safe but do not download zip or compressed files, and remember it is illegal, coppy right infringement, there is always a slim chance of being caught
2007-07-03 15:09:37 · answer #7 · answered by sidekick 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yea you better watch out because it has alot of viruses!!
2007-07-03 15:13:45 · answer #8 · answered by ALAN 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i use it and it doesnt
give me any viruses, but just incase
whenever u download a song, u might
want to scan it to make sure.
2007-07-03 15:06:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
there are ways to protect agains it buy you might be able to get viruses from it
2007-07-03 15:06:42 · answer #10 · answered by Amanda 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋