If you use limewire.com does it mess up your computer with viruses and stuff?

Answer 1

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, trojan, 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 these strangers will be downloading some of your files 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 brand-new $2000.00 computer 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.
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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 share 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/

Or this one from just a few weeks ago:

" Jammie Thomas makes $36,000 a year but says she's not looking for a handout to pay a $222,000 judgment after a jury decided she illegally shared music online and did it on purpose...Record labels have sued more than 26,000 people they accuse of sharing music online in violation of copyright laws."
From:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071006/music_nm/musicindustry_lawsuit_dc

More info:
http://timworstall.typepad.com/timworstall/2007/10/jammie-thomas.html

Good luck.

Answer 2

There are a lot of files of all types available out there. Problem is that a lot of them contain viruses. If you have a GOOD antivirus program running you might be safe but it's still risky. One good rule of thumb is to never download a file that is smaller than 1024kb. Also keep in mind that much of what is out there is pirated software and could get you in a lot of trouble if your caught with it.

These peer to peer networks are also a breeding ground for child pornography. I don't recommend using them to anyone but if you choose to do so, be cautious and you should be safe.

Answer 3

Yes, if you don't know how to use it,like anything else, practice makes perfect, & you learn from your mistakes, I hear President Lincoln failed many times before he finally became President, and so did Thomas Edison, and so did I, don't download or open any zipped folder's, also, right click on a song to scan with your anti-virus/spyware, also, download only stuff that's been downloaded the most times by other users, not the ones with the least download's, for starters, now it's the best thing that I use, good luck, but make sure you have (an anti-virus/sypware protection, to zap em with if they get in.

Answer 4

Have a friend who uses Limewire all of the time. She got dialers in her computer, that led to someone setting up two email accounts and charging it to her phone bill. The phone co. gave her credit but told her, if it happened again, tough luck. But she still uses it. She told me today, that he son told her to go to Walmart and buy a card to download legally, but she said "I'm not paying to download". I reminded her that if you get caught, you will pay a fine of $1000.00 for each song, and they have been getting students at the local college right and left. But, she wouldn't listen to me, so as my Mother used to say, "if you don't listen, you will have to feel", so go ahead and use it if you want to take the chance. Personally, I would not.

Answer 5

limewire is safe if you download songs and movies , just
stay away from zip files or programs and if you are afraid
of the cops go to www.filehippo.com and get peer gaurdian
2.

Answer 6

The standard version (not Pro) comes with spyware/adware. At least it used to. Try BitTorrent. It's a little more complicated to setup but is well worth it and you can use peer guardian to help block fakes and viruses, etc.

Answer 7

If you use it, you are risking infection, while you may not always get infected, there is the chance that one time when you use it, you will download a virus or spyware with what you download, as you are sharing files with other people over the net and if their computer is infected, it can infect yours.

Answer 8

rarely. Everyone I know uses it, and no one has any problems yet! You should get it right now. Tons of songs and videos for free! Also, getting pro helps, too. Just download basic, and then search "Limewire Pro," and you get Pro for free. It has lightning speed downloads.

Answer 9

Using the program *not the site*, depending on what you download you might get a virus, EXE. files be weary, but for music it should be fine.

Answer 10

nope. it don't. been using it for 3 years and downloaded thousands of song and my computer is fine.