This is an open post to all those who use file-sharing apps:

Notice: If you want to avoid/prevent spyware/viruses/trojans on YOUR PC... you should avoid using these applications, PERIOD.

These programs-- whichever one you use (Kazaa/Limewire/Morpheus--whatEVER) use methods that leave you wide-open to whatever is infecting:

a) the files you are downloading
b)the computers of those you are downloading from
c) anyone in-between-- and there may be 20 "jumps" or more between you and the "other guy"

I don't care what you have for "protection" (firewall/antivirus/anti-trojan/anti-spyware)...
you will not, and can never be-- safe while using these applications. It is not possible.

So be warned:

IF YOU USE THESE APPLICATIONS -- IT IS NOT A MATTER OF IF YOU WILL BE INFECTED... IT IS A MATTER OF WHEN... AND IT WILL PROBABLY BE VERY SOON.

Agreed. Not only that but as it states in our Rules, we do not support these applications and our PC Security Team will not clean PC's that are running P2P apps, as the infections will probably have come from that source.

If anyone is still using any of these forms of P2P software, it is not illegal to install and run them. It's only illegal to download the files marked by the laws of your country. Most music, movies, any software (games included).

I never said anything about the legal aspects... it's the risk vs reward? that I'm concerned with... I see more people having big-time virus and spyware hassles-- and when I read a little deeper many of them are using these things. Then they get "cleaned out" --and go right back and do it again... and wonder why they keep getting these infections....
I have no problem with the idea of file-sharing personally-- but there have long been rumors of deliberately infected files being planted at these sites. If you were someone trying to protect against what you view as an illegal, unjustifiable act... how hard do you think it would be to introduce these nasties into these networks... on purpose?? This is war... to some involved in it-- and I don't doubt that there have been some "dirty-tricks" involved.
My idea was to perhaps prevent some of them from REinfecting themselves-- they won't listen the first time.. .They never do.

I'm sorry, but this is utter nonsence..

The only part that is correct is that there are infected files available trough those apps.., but so they are everywhere else on the internet..

I think the message that ih8 was trying to convey has been lost in the technicalities of the replies (good tho they were).

File sharing carries risks, that's a given. If you decide to participate then you must remember that not all that glitters is gold. Always scan your downloads before excecuting/unzipping them and make sure you have some firewall protection in place.

Apart from that i don't think this needs to be blown out of proportion as we @ PCHF don't support P2P nor do we promote it.

Thanks guys

Sorry chief... I'd no idea I'd start trouble -- I'll squelch my opinions and stick to the business at hand.