file sharing and spyware

April · Post by **April** » Wednesday Jan 07, 2004

Has anyone else had problems with file sharing programs attatching spyware to their computer? I've rid my computer of the spyware but I'm wondering what the best P2P program is for downloading songs without spyware attatchments. also, what about pay sites vs. free sites, and the chance of getting in legal trouble for downloading songs.
thoughts, anyone?

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Wednesday Jan 07, 2004

April, April, April... Don't you listen when I speak to you...? I guess our small conversation at practice wasn't informative enough for your liking. I'll try harder in the future to keep your attention...

First of all - try using kazaalite for your peer-to-peer needs. Download the setup HERE: http://download.technet.cz/sw_mp3soft/klitekpp243e.exe

As far as adware and spyware buildup are concerned, try AdAware. It's free and a pretty good cleaner to get the junk files, directories, and registry entries cleaned out of your PC. Download that one HERE: http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10045 ... tag=button

Now, when using file sharing programs, just remember to not have too much available to be shared with other users. This may be a bit selfish, but it keeps you out of trouble. Also with KazaaLite, your IP address is masked, so you can be anonymous while sharing files.

Pay sites offer nice, fast downloads - but if you have the cash to pay for that sort of activity - just buy the actual CD's. I'm poor, but I've got over a thousand songs downloaded from when Audio Galaxy used to be good and free at the same time. Get them while you can and while you can still sneak past Big Brother to do it.

<img border="0" src="http://www.posternow.com/b/b3020.jpg" width="300" height="218">

Marsman365 · Post by **Marsman365** » Wednesday Jan 07, 2004

I tend to agree with Chris on Adaware for cleaning up spyware, adware, etc. Although you do have to manually run the free version from time to time. You have to purchase the version that runs resident and scans for the stuff all the time.

Keep the shared files on your system limited. Although some users won't let you download if you don't share enough.

I personally like WinMX for p2p sharing and downloading. I've had better luck finding some of the "non-mainstream" type stuff. (Old metal like Rough Cutt, Fastway, Krokus, etc.)

Kazaa seems to be the most popular and user-friendly. No complaints...

facingwest · Post by **facingwest** » Thursday Jan 08, 2004

A friend of mine works in computer security and suggested two programs to me in order to get rid of spyware as well as protecting yourself from anything else trying to get into your system. The two programs are..

For a firewall, goto www.agnitum.com This will protect you from a good part of any hacks or anything trying to get into your system.

For spyware, check out Ad-Aware 6.0 @ www.lavasoft.de You won't believe how much crap is put onto your system without you even knowing it.

For both programs, they have a freeware version of both, so it won't cost you a dime and are worth checking out and having.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thursday Jan 08, 2004

A spyware removal/protection program I recommend all the time is 'Spybot search & destroy'. Go to download.com and search for 'spybot'.

It works very well and will 'immunize' your pc from picking up any of the 11,000+ spyware signatures it scans for. It is free.

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Thursday Jan 08, 2004

Remember on Kazaalite it will ask every time you sign on whether you want to get the update... say "No" every time, or you'll wind up with the spyware anyway.----->JMS
Quick note to people looking for lyrics... last week I got a nasty Trojan Horse from visiting a lyrics site, presumably because downloading lyrics is verboten, too. It planted a new homepage in IE, hidden behind my chosen web-addy, and sent me there every time... it was some bogus site that sold foreign crap. It also changed my search engine so that any search got you the same BS that you get in spam, Viagra for cheap, penis enlargement, stay up all weekend... it's enough to give a guy a complex.------>JMS

Post by **Ron** » Thursday Jan 08, 2004

WinMX is the only P2P that I'll use. No spyware, adware, or watching every move you make so you don't get spammed or have your browser hijacked. I've never had a problem with it. http://winmx.com

facingwest · Post by **facingwest** » Thursday Jan 08, 2004

A lyrics site I've been using for years is www.songtext.net It's a great site once you get past the German and get into the English part of it. Just about every song I wanted lyrics for, I've gotten from this site.

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Friday Jan 09, 2004

Thanks, facingwest. That's a good resource for us acoustic-covers guys!------>JMS

ToonaRockGuy · Post by **ToonaRockGuy** » Thursday Jan 15, 2004

I've been using K-Lite and it rocks, with no spyware. The combination of K-Lite and a cable modem or higher is deadly for downloads, some of the speeds are out of this world!