is it safe to use limewire?

[Dan]

LimeWire, like most other peer-to-peer file sharing programs, is a
wide-open gap in your computer's security, and an almost guaranteed
source of malware (not from LimeWire. itself, so much, but from giving
thousands of other people -- not all of whom are well-intended -- access
to your hard drive.)

I agree and have worked on a friend's computer that had LimeWire
installed and it was a mess of adware and spyware due to illegally
downloaded songs and the unfortunate baddies attached to them.

 

[PowerUser]

That wasn't what I was responding to. My reply was for the "Limewire is a
guaranteed source of malware" claim.

 

[Leythos]

That wasn't what I was responding to. My reply was for the "Limewire is a
guaranteed source of malware" claim.

And based on what I've seen with machines that have it installed, I
would have to agree - while Limewire itself is not the threat, it
enables the threat to be realized.

Early versions of limewire were actual threats and I've seen versions
that carried backdoors....

 

[PowerUser]

And based on what I've seen with machines that have it installed, I
would have to agree - while Limewire itself is not the threat, it
enables the threat to be realized.

Just taking your logic a little higher, computers enable threats to be
realized. So stop using them. You can have all the security in the world
and be unsecure.

 

[Leythos]

Just taking your logic a little higher, computers enable threats to be
realized. So stop using them. You can have all the security in the world
and be unsecure.

Computers are useless without software, the wrong software presents the
threat. As I said before, every machine I've seen with P2P File sharing
software has also been compromised, and I've seen LOTS of machines.

Taking your logic a little farther, breathing enables one to be exposed,
stop breathing if you want to keep playing games.

 

[q_q_anonymous]

Computers are useless without software, the wrong software presents the
threat. As I said before, every machine I've seen with P2P File sharing
software has also been compromised, and I've seen LOTS of machines.

So you conclude that it is limewire's fault.

Consider that the type of people that download things with P2P
software, and are also so technically inept that they can't fix theri
own computer, they have to call somebody out to fix it. Those people
probably doing other things that may cause problems. Like downloading
malicious software even through the web. I saw a computer with
limewire. It was compromised - not because of limewire - but because
the guy thought his computer needed more 'protection' so downloaded
some so-called AV software he saw advertised in a banner.
In that instance, it wasn't limewire's fault. Or even a fault in the
way this user used limewire.

Many people use limewire just to download music. Not to download
applications. I've downlaoded maybe 20 songs from limewire before.
Never caused me any problem. Others download hundreds.

Computers are useless without software, the wrong software presents the
threat. As I said before, every machine I've seen with P2P File sharing
software has also been compromised, and I've seen LOTS of machines.

Taking your logic a little farther, breathing enables one to be exposed,
stop breathing if you want to keep playing games.

Limewire is not "the wrong software".
You only see computers of people that have computer problems. Or of
business people that don't have limewire, but have computer problems.

You don't see the computers of people that know what they're doing and
don't need to call somebody out to help them. They use limewire
without problems.

 

[q_q_anonymous]

LimeWire, like most other peer-to-peer file sharing programs, is a
wide-open gap in your computer's security, and an almost guaranteed
source of malware (not from LimeWire. itself, so much, but from giving
thousands of other people -- not all of whom are well-intended --
access to your hard drive.)


--

indirectly accessing their hard drive.

But come on! You know the internet works like that. When you access
google, you are accessing google's computer - indirectly accessing
their hard drive.

Do you suggest to google what you suggest here?

 

[Leythos]

So you conclude that it is limewire's fault.

Consider that the type of people that download things with P2P
software, and are also so technically inept that they can't fix theri
own computer, they have to call somebody out to fix it. Those people
probably doing other things that may cause problems. Like downloading
malicious software even through the web. I saw a computer with
limewire. It was compromised - not because of limewire - but because
the guy thought his computer needed more 'protection' so downloaded
some so-called AV software he saw advertised in a banner.
In that instance, it wasn't limewire's fault. Or even a fault in the
way this user used limewire.

Many people use limewire just to download music. Not to download
applications. I've downlaoded maybe 20 songs from limewire before.
Never caused me any problem. Others download hundreds.




Limewire is not "the wrong software".
You only see computers of people that have computer problems. Or of
business people that don't have limewire, but have computer problems.

You don't see the computers of people that know what they're doing and
don't need to call somebody out to help them. They use limewire
without problems.

Like it or not, I've seen limewire users download infected files that
take advantage of an exploit - and if it were not for Limewire they
would not have downloaded it.

I understand perfectly how things happen like this, but, as only general
comments are posted by most people, I will always suggest that people
avoid P2P software, as I've never seen a computer with P2P software on
it where the use of the software was 100% legit, and every computer I've
seen with P2P apps installed have been compromised.

 

[q_q_anonymous]

Like it or not, I've seen limewire users download infected files that
take advantage of an exploit - and if it were not for Limewire they
would not have downloaded it.

I understand perfectly how things happen like this, but, as only general
comments are posted by most people, I will always suggest that people
avoid P2P software, as I've never seen a computer with P2P software on
it where the use of the software was 100% legit, and every computer I've
seen with P2P apps installed have been compromised.

yeah well you're obviously a guy that is called out to fix computers.

users that need to call people out, may not use limewire safely.

You don't see users that don't need to call people out. So you're
recommendations are really restricted.. And also, those that do call
you out, may want their songs as much as they want to browse the web.

And how often has somebody's comp been infected by downloading and
playing a song?
I've tried downloading many and not had a problem.
Have you ever diagnosed the cause of malware to a particular mp3 file?

(I understnad that people with limewire that call you out, tend to have
malware. And that it's possible to get malware from not using limewire
safely).

 

[Leythos]

yeah well you're obviously a guy that is called out to fix computers.

users that need to call people out, may not use limewire safely.

You don't see users that don't need to call people out. So you're
recommendations are really restricted.. And also, those that do call
you out, may want their songs as much as they want to browse the web.

How about this - if someone comes to this group to ask for help, most
times they are not in the second group you mention. This means that for
most posters asking about the threats posed by LimeWire (P2P Apps in
general), it means they already don't know enough to keep their systems
safe.

I've seen people that were very security conscious / concerned,
compromise their machines using P2P Software and downloading things they
should not have downloaded.

So, as I said, most people asking here about the security of P2P are the
same people that don't know enough to protect themselves from it.

 

[q_q_anonymous]

How about this - if someone comes to this group to ask for help, most
times they are not in the second group you mention. This means that for
most posters asking about the threats posed by LimeWire (P2P Apps in
general), it means they already don't know enough to keep their systems
safe.

I've seen people that were very security conscious / concerned,
compromise their machines using P2P Software and downloading things they
should not have downloaded.

So, as I said, most people asking here about the security of P2P are the
same people that don't know enough to protect themselves from it.

--

I don't agree, infact, even the opposite is suggested by them merely
posting here and speaking english.

The people whose computers i've seen, speak english, but would never
post here!

Most of the people that post here are people that are fairly conscious
of not messing up their computer. They are asking beforehand.. They are
usually also able to back up data themselves with a bit of remote
verbal help, and they are able to reinstall windows - often with a lot
of verbal help. If they did have a problem, such as malware
downloaded, they'll typically search around, or ask, and read about
adaware and perhaps others, and try that. Or post again... These are
not typically the kind of people that call somebody out..

I think most people that post here, - if they do get malware , are
capable of removing it - with further help. And they're capable of
removing and reinstalling windows if need be.

It's unknown whether the person with te problem is typical of those
that post here. I suppose she isn't since she didn't post this.
But WOULD she be typical?. It's too speculative.. However, it's wrong
to write generally and furthermore, regarding what may or may not be
true for this individual.

This individual clearly understood that certain progarms have malware
incorporated in them. So I think she'd be able to udnerstand that
limewire doesn't, but one could download and run something malicious..
That means PTP is not inherently dangerous. She had misinformation.
Given that she can write english , I think she could understand what is
safe and what isn't safe.. Just as she could probably understand not
to open certain email attachments.

I think what you said , written generally, but for those that dont know
what they're doing. is unfair. You have to say you are writing for
"those that don't what they're doing"(in some words or other) . If they
ignore your advice out of false pride, then that's their problem.
And even if the OP is one of those.. There are others reading the
group too.. It's not fair to treat them all to this kind of
information. Like saying "computers are dangerous". Just to protect
them from themselves.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

indirectly accessing their hard drive.

But come on! You know the internet works like that. When you access
google, you are accessing google's computer - indirectly accessing
their hard drive.

Do you suggest to google what you suggest here?

Yes, I know how the Internet "works." You clearly do not.

There's a vast difference in accessing a networked file server that's
been specifically designed and configured for that specific purpose,
with specifically tailored security safeguards maintained by skilled
professionals, and opening up one's personal hard drive to strangers
mostly bent on acquiring illicit copies of software.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Leythos]

I think what you said , written generally, but for those that dont know
what they're doing. is unfair. You have to say you are writing for
"those that don't what they're doing"(in some words or other) . If they
ignore your advice out of false pride, then that's their problem.

Oh, how about I agree with that view and I should have said "Anyone
using LimeWire without understanding the threat that it presents to
their system, without understanding the threat that many files they
would download could present to their system, should just not use any
P2P application."

And even if the OP is one of those.. There are others reading the
group too.. It's not fair to treat them all to this kind of
information. Like saying "computers are dangerous". Just to protect
them from themselves.

Except the people that already understand the threat and what to do to
avoid the threats would have ignored my post to start with - they
understand the target.

 

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