Is limewire considered safe?

Alright, so my friend got me into LimeWire, though in the beginning, I was skeptical about it, considering that I've heard good things and bad about it. She put it on my computer, and since then, I've basically been hooked on it. For the most part, I get...

all my iPod music from it.

I feel bad in a way that I have it because I hear all the time that it's illegal and things like that, but is that really true? Is it really safe?

Limewire itself is legal, whether it be the free version, or the version you pay for. However, downloading copyrighted music and movies is an illegal activity - public domain content is not illegal. Part of the Limewire Terms of Service you agree to upon installing the program is that you will not use the program to perform illegal activity, I.e. download copyrighted music and movies for instance (this wasn't in Napster's TOS back in the day, and hence why they got taken to court). This isn't any different if you pay for Limewire Pro, as the money you pay does not end up in the hands of the copyright holders - it goes to pay the guys who made and develop the Limewire program.

There are a whole heap of viruses that you can download in Limewire, but if you know how to use the program properly and take good note of the file you are about to download, you are very unlikely to get a virus. The virus trick is one that the Movie industry uses in particular to trace those who download movies illegally, by placing dummy files which look like a particular movie but are in fact a program which sends your details back to them once you have downloaded it and tried to "play" the movie.

If you do use Limewire, or any other file sharing program to download copyrighted content, it is at your own risk and you get caught you don't have anyone but yourself to blame.

I use limewire too..and I'm not sure about the dangers of it being legal or not. =/
I have heard many stories...people getting fined lotss and lots of money etc.
However I would like to know how people get found out for downloading music...through the IP address somehow? I just don't know.. So anyone else have any more ideas?

It;s illegal. Do you want the artists to receive something for their work? Do they deserve to get paid? Those are the questions you need to ask yourself.

If you could steal from your local smokeshop without getting caught, would you? I don't think so.

It's illegal.
And full of viruses...
Limewire pro is legal, however, because you're paying for it.
I suggest just using a cheap russian site.
That's what I do.
http://www.gomusic.ru

You are unlikely to get a virus if you have a reasonable idea of how the program works and you have good anti-virus and Firewall protection on your PC. If what has happened to you because you did not follow the first three points it does not make Limewire a bad program. I have been using it for a good couple of years, downloaded a number of tracks and have never once picked up a virus from it. I just wanted to put across another side of Limewire rather than the usual' 'You get viruses from it' etc... You can pick up viruses from just clicking on a web site or on an e mail link far easier than downloading songs from Limewire. Especially if you are lacking a reasonable understanding of how your PC works and (as previously mentioned) having a good anti-virus and Firewall installed on your PC.

it is illegal since you are using the source to get music for your ipod. It specifically asks you when you download what you are using it for.

As far as virus, I've never gotten a virus from it, but it tends to freeze my computer.

Well said Danbob, the voice of reason in a sea of fools...*smile*

Very easy for you with E.M. Youtube Video Download Tool.
It works very well and easy to use.
(1)Install and Run E.M. Youtube video download tool.
(2)Play the video on the webpage.
when the video start to play , it will be sniffed and downloaded automatically.

http://www.effectmatrix.com/Youtube_video_download_tool/index.htm

(1)Download youtube video fastly and easily;
(2)Burn Youtube video to CD/VCD/SVCD/DVD disc;
(3)It can search any flash video from many websites at the same time;
(4)Convert flv video to any audio include mp3, wma,wav,ac3,mmf,amr,ogg,aac..., to any video formats include 3gp,avi,wmv, mpg,mpg4,asf,swf,h264,mov,jpg, that can be supported by PSP,iPod,iPhone,Apple TV video,iTune,mp3,mp4,Zune,Cellphone,Digital camera,DV,CD/DVD/VCD/SVCD.
(5)List all cache flv video;
(6)It can also repiar and capture RTMP video streams.

limewire is bad get ares

And your constructive reasons for your comment baconslicer are?

so your making fun of my name and what kiaft

kiafagiyo

nope, not safe! heard it's illegal, plus there's viruses!

fairytales,

Just to clarify a few points ref your reply:

Limewire is NOT illegal. It is illegal to download copywrite songs/programs/videos from it though. However, to actually have the program IS NOT illegal.

It is perfectly safe to use if you follow the instructions and you know what you are doing. You need to understand how computers function and ensure that you have a good antivirus/firewall installed on your PC.

Limewire DOES NOT have viruses!!! (God, I get so sick of saying this)
You get viruses by downloading songs/videos/video games etc that have been INFECTED WITH VIRUSES!

There are ways to check if what you have downloaded has a virus included within it.

Basically, the advice I would give is dont download from Limewire if you do not have a good Firewall & Antivirus program installed and DONT download from it if you do not understand how to use it or do not understand how to check downloads for viruses.

I get so bored with people saying that Limewire has viruses, IT DOES NOT!!!

yea it does have virises

baconskater,

IT DOES NOT! Please provide your evidence for this statement.

You have been brainwashed by the music companies who don't want you to download free music!

It actually does have viruses... noob. And no its not songs with viruses attached. You see, people will put a file up saying that its a song. When really the file itself its linly like 2 KB. A normal song it usualy 1MB or up. So if you see a song or file in there that is like any low # of KB... Dont download it.

LIMEWIRE DOES NOT, AS A PROGRAM HAVE VIRUSES!

The user can DOWNLOAD viruses but that does not mean Limewire as a program has viruses.

The Limewire program allows you to download loads of stuff from other Limewire users that share this stuff.

When you download a virus or a song with a virus, you are downloading it from another user, not from Limewire. Limewire is a program that assists you to link to those other users.

Limewire is not a website or somewhere else where is stores millions of MP3's, movies etc...

As I said before, LIMEWIRE DOES NOT HAVE VIRUSES.

If you dont know how to use the program or understand how a computer works, you are very likely to download a virus using Limewire. But that virus will comes from another user, not from Limewire.

GOD HELP ME. What is is you cannot understand about what I am saying...

It would just be wonderful if people did not keep giving out false advice on this issue...

Read the question again. Is Limewire safe?

The answer is, Yes it is if you know how to use it, you understand how peer to peer networks function and you have a good firewall and antivirus installed on your PC.

I personally use Soulseek much safer in the virus category & much better in finding music & rare songs that you would not find in limewire's skeezey database.

I use ares it has its own backup fire wall witch is even safer

personally I dont think its safe because it is a sharing site many viruses can be uploaded and downloaded