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Community Newsletter: Q&A: 5/6/05 What's safe and legal to download using a file-sharing program?
- 5/12/05 2:39 PM
just to add-on to this
by imkain - 3/21/06 6:17 AM In reply to: umm it is a race, but whatever by imkainMy feeling is that the world needs to worry more about the more important immoral decisions people are doing (rape, terrorism, murder, drugs, expensive health care, higher interest rates, credit scores, gas price gouging, etc.). So the world as a whole needs to clean up these immoral eye sores, before worrying about P2P people.
I agree
by MichaelF - 3/21/06 4:04 PM In reply to: just to add-on to this by imkainok ok ok I give up 
Fully agree about all the things you consider to be more important and about the problems with religions causing most of the wars. My opinion on singers wages are that they get that amount of money because the companies that pay them make much more than that. They make that because people are prepared to pay the prices, if they didn't the price would go down (supply and demand stuff). I just feel the right way to protest is not to buy or download their stuff, that way you are neither encouraging it or breaking the law. The individual decides the value of the stuff they buy.
But I can see where you are coming from and most of the points you raise are far more important.
I might leave things at the agree to disagree stage.
Lots else to worry about.
This is an age old dilemma...
by Latinlover1 - 5/6/05 7:03 AM In reply to: 5/6/05 What's safe and legal to download using a file-sharing program? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi,
Your question on the legality brings to mind the fact that there is a law in the good old USA that clearly gives us the right to make a 'backup' of any purchased media. This goes back to the days of the very first VCR and became a HUGE issue in the gaming industry. Consumers won and were granted the right to make a backup copy. Sharing, however, is illegal. We don't have the legal right to share media that we've purchased with others that have obviously not made the purchase. This is where the dilemma begins. If it were up to the studios, we wouldn't even be able to 'backup' legally purchased media and this issue has been in the courts for ages and will continue to rear it's ugly head every single time a new technology becomes available to the general public. Take the DVD for example...ever own a DVD that eventually became scratched or suddenly started skipping?...particularly kiddie DVD's because they can watch them over and over hundreds of times per day? DVD's have a tendency to deteriorate over time...kids don't understand this...they just want to watch the DVD 500 times per day. If we have a backup copy it's not a major problem, right? You pay your hard-earned money for digital media and the studios don't want you to make a backup? Right. This is the entire issue that we, as consumers, have with the Digital Millenium Copyright Act. Back when we won the right to make 'a single backup copy' of legally purchased software the manufacturers of gaming software actually devised a way to copy protect their software that actually allowed you to make a single backup copy...some manufacturers even allowed you to make 3 backups...and it was all within their very own software! If the studios want to protect their 'intellectual property' then they have every right to do so, in my opinion. However, we, as consumers/purchasers, also have a right to backup the purchased products and they need to find a way to allow for this and stop with their whining.
As far as viruses from P2P networks (or anywhere else on the web, for that matter) there is no absolute surefire way to protect yourself. The very best method is simple common sense. I have been online and downloading since before the internet was even a brainchild. Back then you had to dial in to each network (most of then were overseas, by the way), there were no graphics involved, you had to deal with busy signals for hours on end (kind of like AOL dial-up, hehehe), we used 3600 baud modems (or less) and the downloads were sometimes interminable. To make it even worse, the d/l's were basically crappy most of the time so we just ended up deleting them! In essence, just use your common sense...if it's not a 'known' provider (like C/Net, Microsoft, Adobe, etc.) don't expose yourself. I've never ever used an antivirus (they have a tendency to slow down your PC) and have never ever caught a virus...not even a minor one...(and mind you, I'm on the net and d'ling practically 24/7). A good rule of thumb to follow is, if it looks suspicious it probably is.
As far as P2P networks go, Kazaa is probably the very last one I would use. They're famous for viruses, bloatware, etc. They are the most popular P2P network available and, as such, also the most susceptible to the above. Have you tried Limeware, Bearshare, or WinMX? There are even more available on the net. Less popular is less susceptible...:).
Sorry for being long-winded and I hope this helps you.
LL1
legal downloading
by vex - 5/6/05 7:15 AM In reply to: 5/6/05 What's safe and legal to download using a file-sharing program? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Honestly, I was under the impression that it's fairly legal to download what you want being that you are not stealing; the file is being freely offered to you. If you were to break into a system and download that would be classified as illegal. My understanding is if you are actually caught in the illegal act of uploading the file to someone else that is a violation of the copyright. In the first scenario you are downloading the file and it never gets further than your own computer. However, in the second scenario you download the file and then continue to share the file which puts you in violation of copyright.
-Mike
TV Shows
by ats121 - 5/6/05 7:25 AM In reply to: legal downloading by vexIs downloading TV shows legal?
legal downloading
by eric90230 - 5/7/05 12:29 PM In reply to: legal downloading by vexIf you are getting cd-quality recordings without paying for it, then that's not ethical. There are legitimate sellers selling it, and you're getting it for free, so you're sort of ripping them off.
Regardless of the technicalities.
You're not _entitled_ to getting good stuff for free.
I've downloaded mp3's, but I've never claimed it was ethical.
download/upload
by jayso - 5/8/05 1:11 PM In reply to: legal downloading by vexTo be able to download SOMEONE has to first upload. Which comes first...the chicken or the egg???
Riddles
by eric90230 - 5/13/05 6:33 PM In reply to: download/upload by jaysoAnalogous to theft and receiving stolen goods. LOL
You will invite TROUBLE
by MicahW - 5/6/05 7:32 AM In reply to: 5/6/05 What's safe and legal to download using a file-sharing program? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Discontinue using that and any other file sharing sites! It won't do you much good scanning for viruses after you already downloaded them! Using these sites mean you WILL get viruses! And MOST of the stuff on these sites are illegal! Songs are not the only thing that has a copyright! Movies, TV shows, pictures, books all have copyright protection too! In fact just about everything on these file sharing sites are illegal. Don’t use them!!
I think you have been misinformed...
by Jamie314 - 5/6/05 11:26 AM In reply to: You will invite TROUBLE by MicahW1:
Most viruses require the user to actually execute the file before they will run and cause damage. So scanning after download is what you need to do. Most recent AntiVirus programs (even the free AVG) have a 'real-time scanning' function which automatically scans files as they are saved on disk and as they are opened — this catches most things, but you should still run manual scans as your AntiVirus software may work slightly differently.
It is worms that do not require user intervention to execute and self-propagate — ie, they load themselves up and distribute copies of themselves over the internet. The only true way to tackle these is an effective AntiVirus (with real-time scanning) and Firewall combination.
2:
Not all content available on P2P networks is illegal. Many unsigned artists and 'garage' bands use P2P networks to distribute their music and raise awareness/publicity. Also, open source software like Linux is legal to download from any source, including file sharing software.
To say that anything available on these networks is illegal is misleading for many people, while the blanket comment to not use them is unhelpful. You do raise the valid point of illegal music and video, and I would recommend any P2P users to download files with caution — you now have the RIAA to deal with, let alone viruses.
easiest way to know what to download
by MichaelF - 5/7/05 1:12 AM In reply to: I think you have been misinformed... by Jamie314The easy answer is
Don't use peer to peer file sharing. The majority of the files are illegal and most of programs come bundled with spyware/adware/malware etc. On top of that there will be the bogus files and viruses which will unleash other nasties on your system.
Yes there are plenty of free stuff, such aa open source software. You can get free operating systems, free office programs (openoffice), free music, videos and pictures. But the majority of these are easily found on the net itself, from the providers themselves and where there is no question of the legality and quality of what you download. Generally you don't need peer to peer software unless what your downloading is not freely available on the net. Generally this is the illegal stuff.
Michael
You are right...
by MicahW - 5/7/05 1:20 PM In reply to: I think you have been misinformed... by Jamie314I didn't know the difference between a virus and a worm, my point is that they are all over these file sharing sites.
There are a lot of items on these sites that aren't illegal to download. There are MORE items that are illegal. I am in the art gallery business and I don't think a lot of people realize that pictures, drawings, paintings, cartoons, and photos - in fact, ALL forms of artwork are copyright protected - most people just think about music.
More
by Marcus Castro - 5/6/05 7:32 AM In reply to: 5/6/05 What's safe and legal to download using a file-sharing program? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
A few other things to note -
Set Windows to show full file extensions. This setting is located in Windows Explorer (NOT Internet Explorer). Right-click My Computer -> Explore -> Tools -> Folder Options -> View. UNcheck the box to hide known file extensions. Many viruses and Trojans use multiple extensions, so you could download a file that looks like it is named freemusic.mp3 when it reality it is freemusic.mp3.exe and contain malware.
Also, while the Windows firewall blocks inbound connections, it does not do nearly as much as any of the free software firewalls available (such as ZoneAlarm). If you do happen to get infected, a firewall that protects outbound will alert you to new programs attempting to connect to the Internet (possibly to share your passwords, or other personal data on your system).
Spyware gets on your systems in many ways. I highly recommend you use Spybot S&D, the free version of AdAware, and Microsoft Antispyware (all free and available right here at CNET downloads). Use the option to keep MS Antispyware resident so that it stays running at all times to protect you. At least once a week, run each program separately by first running the program updater, and then scanning your entire system. Each can find things that the others miss.
As David T. said, use a good antivirus, and keep it up to date at all times (use the program's automatic update function if possible). Remember that you need a good antivirus engine as well - for example, an antivirus version 2002 engine might not be able to detect all the viruses that a 2005 engine might. So even though you still get AV definitions updates, the engine itself should be up to date.
Marcus C.
Kazaa
by ThomasDerk - 5/6/05 7:45 AM In reply to: 5/6/05 What's safe and legal to download using a file-sharing program? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Kazaa has even had its own malware, viruses, spyware, whatever. I am surprised as the only good answer is to just say, "No," to Kazaa.
Boo to Kazaa
by Swarm32 - 5/12/05 6:32 PM In reply to: Kazaa by ThomasDerkAACK! Spyware and Malware and Bugs Oh MY! I've spent tooo many hours cleaning up PCs that have had Kazaa on them to think its worth more than a waste of time. TRy something cleaner like Limewire or Shareazaa.
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