File Sharing programs

iceman (Mike) · #1 31-12-2005, 01:59 PM

Hi all.

I used to use "Kazaa" (or, kazaalite) as a file sharing program to, well, download files (usually mp3's).

I just tried installing it again after a long break and it's not connecting to any server - I seem to remember Kazaa getting in trouble with the law so I'm thinking that they've maybe been shut down.

What other (good) file sharing networks do you guys use and recommend?

Mainly want to be able to download music, try before you buy, you know.

Thanks

Striker (Tony) · #2 31-12-2005, 02:12 PM

It's a lot harder now a days Mike....lots and lots of virus's in file sharing now.

I use a few but music is a low priority to me.

I use bit tornado for torrents.

You must register on this one.
http://www.filelist.org/ My favourite but not many files...great for games..no virus's and if their is they get delited immediately.

They also have a MP3 site and another site that I will not mention on this forum...you will see it.

Another good one that you dont even have to register is http://www.torrentspy.com/

I use about 5 sites but their is heaps.....

I would never use sites or programs like Kazaa where you are downloading directly from pier to pier...to high risk for spyware and virus's

acropolite (Phil) · #3 31-12-2005, 02:45 PM

I used Kazaa lite for about 6 months and had no real problems, one spyware infiltration but that was in the downloaded file. I took Kazaa off without really analysing how the spyware arrive first. I don't know that bittorrent will be any different, if there's a virus or spyware imbedded in the file, then you've got it. Both Messenger and Skype will allow file transfer albiet at a reduced rate to keep the VOIP working.

Striker (Tony) · #4 31-12-2005, 04:11 PM

With pier to Pier like Kazaa...you are downloading directly of people's hard drives in which they can easily rename files,virus's and spyware...the amount of times I used to download a song only to realize only half of it was there or wasn't even the right song.

With torrents this does not happen...the file has to be uploaded to the sever for everyone to download and share between each other...any file to have spyware or virus's is blacklisted and deleted.

The filelist site is just like this forum....under every down loadable file you have a comments section where you can speak to and ask questions about the file your going to download.....their are usually hundreds of comment regarding the file posted within a day of being uploaded....so if their is any problems you would know about it or the file would have been deleted.

With Pier to pier....all I would have to do is rename my run.exe file which I know is a virus to something that is highly popular like Norton2005.exe and their you go you have just downloaded a virus.

Good luck using pier to pier.....very high risk....be very carefull.

frogman (Anthony Lord) · #5 01-01-2006, 11:25 AM

Unfortunatly the majority of file sharing programs use a fixed ip (easily tracl what where and when). programs like azureus and other " torrent" downloading programs change your ip while your downloading....... ( harder to track).....

Mike ... if you want ill show you my setup when you arive....

Anthony

Soldant · #6 01-01-2006, 02:43 PM

*Totally ignores all 'items' 'acquired' in this topic

Stay away from Kazaa, Limewire, and anything similar. Avoid them like the plague (or Optisan). Although they're a magnet for spyware, viruses and stuff, they're also incredibly easy to use for tracing. They're rarely secured, and even if they are, then they're still terrible to use anyway and "security" on the internet is NEVER foolproof. Also steer clear of eMule. If you can't find a file, you'll find it on eMule, but the program is just a pain to use and is probably hammered by law enforcement these days anyway.

Personally I'd use the torrent network (not providing links), specifically using Azureus. Note that this is NOT totally anonymous at all, don't let anyone tell you it is. To totally disguise yourself you'd need to go to great lengths, and even then that'd still be tracable if the law really wanted to go after you. Make sure you configure any firewalls (specifically router firewalls, software firewalls like ZA won't bother it) so that it can run at the best speed it can (obviously limited by your connection and how many people are downloading the same file as you). If you're paranoid about getting traced and want a security blanket (which is probably totally useless anyway, but might do your mind some good) get PeerGuardian.

Finally torrents are a double-edged sword. Popularity means easier distribution. Unlike some file sharing problems, which impose ques for popular files, torrents go faster if more people are sharing the file due to the nature of how it works. This has the disadvantage of making unpopular files difficult or impossible to obtain.

Note that Bit Torrent clients aren't illegal, nor are some torrent files. Only copyrighted material is illegal.

Additionally: Azureus can't "change" your IP. Nothing can change your IP since it's assigned to you by your ISP. Only disconnecting and re-connecting can change your IP, but on Cable connections you might still get the same one, and static-IP connections keep the same IP anyway. You can "disguise" your IP by running through a proxy server, which makes your computer appear to have a different IP, though it really doesn't; you're just routing your connection through somewhere else. If law enforcement agencies really wanted to, they could easily track through the proxy server back to your IP, and your ISP would gladly surrender your information (if the law enforcement agency has permission to go after you) rather than protect you.

frogman (Anthony Lord) · #7 01-01-2006, 02:59 PM

What other (good) file sharing networks do you guys use and recommend?

Azureus.
Anyone else ?

Soldant · #8 01-01-2006, 03:16 PM

Other bit torrent clients are Bit Lord... argh... there's another one that I can't remember at the moment which is supposedly pretty good. Emule isn't bad but I'd only ever use it if I can't find a file anywhere else. EVERYTHING is on eMule, but whether or not it actually downloads is a completely different story.

iceman (Mike) · #9 01-01-2006, 03:44 PM

Excellent information Soldant, thanks heaps. I got a few things I needed using Bit Tornado (thanks Striker) but the networks didn't have too much stuff.

Kazaa was just so easy to use and it had heaps of the popular stuff, like Australian/American Idol live performances from the TV show etc, which my wife was keen to download and have burnt to CD for home listening..

But I agree, half the stuff on it was junk, only half the song worked etc. I spent hours once trying to get a song. Viruses didn't worry me too much as the virus protection software is up to date and appears to catch everything.

vindictive666 (John) · #10 01-01-2006, 04:11 PM

mike have you recieved my pm ?

Soldant · #11 01-01-2006, 05:01 PM

No problem Iceman! Glad I could help.

Harlequin · #12 01-01-2006, 06:00 PM

Soldant recommend BitLord for managing torrent downloads. I second this since the program is open source which means anyone can examine the code. Helps to keep it clean, efficient and free.

Striker recommended www.TorrentSpy.com, which has been a valuable resource whenever I download large files, such as the latest linux distro.

Torrents are useful for popular files. I recommend downloading mIRC and www.ircspy.com for obscure and old files.

Regards

Harlequin

Soldant · #13 01-01-2006, 10:47 PM

The only problem I have with mIRC is that the bots tend to have insanely long ques and quite often just disappear on you, losing you your place in the que and preventing it from ever starting. This doesn't help you if you go to sleep

Personally I perfer Azureus but to each their own. Definately support open source software though.