Music downloads

[webdude]

Does anyone on AB use Lime Wire for music download, and if so can you tell me if it is safe to use i.e. from a virus point of view, and what are the other drawbacks of using P2P networks?

[Ethel]

The drawbacks are:
You don't know what you are downloading - just because it is listed as 'You Should Be So Lucky' that doesn't mean that is what you will get.
If you are so lucky to get that track, you may have downloaded a virus / trojan / spyware with it
You could be prosecuted if you download or upload copyright material.

http://www.betanews.com/article/UK_law_firm_lo oks_to_begin_prosecuting_file_sharers/12193471 36

And the fine could be quite hefty
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.p hp?id=195492

[webdude]

Interesting Ethel, I was also looking at a Russian site which charges very low prices for audio tracks, but presumably that too could be open to prosecution form the copyright holders?

[VHG]

Agree with Ethel, it is VERY unsafe.

When you download files from limewire you are actually downloading them from someone elses computer (an ordinairy home PC like yours or mine).

The problem is, as Ethel says, is that you have no idea WHOSE PC you are downloading a file from, and if they can be trusted. It could be someone in Russia, South America, Japan, you have no idea.

You also have no idea if the file you are downloading is actually a song, or a program than is going to be run on your PC and install a virus.

For example, I may have a song on my PC called

myway_franksinatra.mp3

The letters at the end "mp3" denote it is a song, so it should be OK.

But some people "hide" virus programs "inside" the name of a song.

So they may create a virus file called

myway_franksinatra_this_is_the_live_version_in_las_vegas..................mp3.........exe

Now a quick glance shows "mp3" near the end so you think it is a song, but if you look at the very end it says "exe".

Now an "exe" is a program, and you may not even notice that.

You download it, double click on it to play the song, and BANG, the program runs and you have a virus on your PC.

As well as "exe" at the end it could also be "scr", "dll" or other letters, they are all programs.

If you are VERY VERY careful with what you download, and check each file is a genuine mp3 (or similar) file before playing it you MAY be OK, but do you want to risk it?

There are some nasty people out there who just love to wrekc other peoples computers (for some reason).

[VHG]

These Russian sites that offer cheap downloads say they are genuine and pay money to record companies but they do not.

NO MONEY from downloads from Russian sites EVER goes to the record companies or artists.

They are just rip off merchants.

[Ethel]

I have said it before - I have no sympathy for copyright thieves who believe it is fine to take possession of something that should be paid for without paying.

I am a huge music fan and firmly believe the artistes should be paid for their work