Is it still safe to download software programs from P2Ps?
86355
Technically downloading any copyrighted work whether it be software, music, movies, et al is illegal.  That being said those that get in trouble only get in trouble because they were sharing the files they downloaded or already had, that's how they (the government) finds you.  If you just download but don't share it becomes next to impossible to find you.  And most of the people we are talking about here had servers with many copyrighted works on them.  Generally speaking the individual user is fairly safe but there are exceptions.\n\nNo, Kazaa is not okay, because the free version of Kazaa is full of spyware.  Since you have probably heard of it, LimeWire, http://www.limewire.com/ is great but I have since moved to FrostWire, http://www.frostwire.com/ which is the open source free version of LimeWire Pro.  And FrostWire is based overseas so it would be harder for US laws to affect the software.  I'll reiterate that if you share your files you are at risk of getting in trouble so it's just best if you DO use it to just download and not share anything.\n\nWhen you download files from ANY P2P network always, always scan them with your anti-virus software before running the files.  There is always the possibility the file you downloaded could contain a virus and if it does most AV programs will detect them because it is probably an old virus to which your AV software will have definitions for.  Zero day attacks are not likely to occur on a P2P network.  If you don't have a virus scanner, AVG Free is an excellent one, http://free.grisoft.com/\n\nThere is no guarantee, it is 99.5% safe.  That is, there is only a >1% chance you will actually get caught, there is a slight risk but it is mostly safe.  Mostly being the operative term.
990372
various download programs such as Limewire and Bearshare
964308
As long as you have anti virus and spy-ware you should be OK    :-)
732364
So what you're telling us is that you're gonna violate copyright laws and send an illegal copy of the program to people so that they can get arrested for software piracy. Is that right?\n\nNo thanks
348847
It's possible, but unlikely you would get into trouble from downloading some music from limewire.  It's true you can easily compromise security if you're not careful.  BUT, if you are good with how to control your firewall, spyware programs, and virus programs, you should be ok.  I mean life's too short to be worrying about "big brother" watching all the time.  Thanks for the good question.  Peace....
779870
Both downloading and sharing items with programs like limewire are illegal. You are also not permitted to copy songs on disks and hand out to friends. This is US law.\n\nDownloading songs and other items from limewire IS NOT SAFE. People have paid me hundreds of dollars to clean their computers of viruses and malware. This software opens up your computer to an internet-wide network, and you can easily download infected items.\n\nI somewhat suspect that infections can happen even without downloads for programs of this type.
330071
not from my experience. but Kazaa & bearshare are heavily infected with spyware/adware programs. avoid those.
263183
Morpheus, Limeware, and even Napster are all great for downloading music through the p2p (peer-to-peer) network, but they load up your computer with nasty little programs called adware and spyware, which collect information about your computer like what kind of websites you visit and what kind of programs are installed on your computer, and use this information for advertisement research. Get Bearshare. Bearshare is the best program for downloading music that does not contain spyware or adware.
550859
possibly.. they may tend to use up your cpu once in awhile, evidently leading to crashes.. so far, i've got no problems with my torrent program but the thing that i often use to download files more quicker would be this p2p network, "limewire." it's really good.. you oughta try it for your self. i had the pro version. and dang does it work wonders not only in terms of fast searches but in superb sources...
64781
If you have a firewall and anti-virus program and you don't download suspicious files, you should be ok. If you don't have a firewall, Zone Alarm is a good one (a free version of it is also available if you don't want to spend any money). For a free anti-virus program, go to http://free.grisoft.com/\n\nIf you follow the simple tips above, you should be set in downloading music by using Limewire, or any other P2P client.
997830
Very illegal and not at all safe.  You will download all sorts of spyware that will never come off your PC.  Better to stay away from P2P programs all together.
780731
I have never used p2p, but I have heard enough to tell you that you had better stay away from them unless you have a strong security on your computer.
439147
you can try downloading the program off a p2p client like bearshare.
233970
Its pretty safe, at least its the safer i've tryed, there's no much trouble when you download music or videos but watch out whe downloading executables or programs, its easy to use and you can find tons of files, just keep you anti-virus updated and your firewall up and youll have no problem
976387
edonkey is full of viruses, more so than other p2p networks.\n\nI recommend limewire or morpheus, as both are good and have less spyware/viruses! carefull what u download tho
1152672
getting pass the software security, or pirating the software
603850
u can download any p2p software, e.g: limewire, kaaza, Imesh etc.... or another way is from torrents..