Leaving Peer to Peer File Sharing Open...

Thunderball · 02-24-02, 11:29 PM

Can I get any weird stuff in my PC by sharing files?

I never opened up my MP3 library to other WinMX users,but theya re starting to disconnect me all the time for not sharing..so I was just curious , now that I opened it up..

Can anything bad happen?

Dragon Fly · 02-24-02, 11:31 PM

Um, honestly, i don't think so. I don't show my stuff and they don't boot me.

todd

Mr. M · 02-24-02, 11:32 PM

There is always a small chance that something bad can happen when you connect to the web. IMO, though, if you expect other people to share files with you it is only fair for you to share with them.

Thunderball · 02-24-02, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr. M
There is always a small chance that something bad can happen when you connect to the web. IMO, though, if you expect other people to share files with you it is only fair for you to share with them.

That's what I realized tonite...

I had a lot of peopel "chatting" with me over WInMX's servers yelling about "OPEN UP YOUR LIBRARY OR WE WON"T LET YOU DL"

tygloalex · 02-24-02, 11:35 PM

I usually share my good stuff

with my close friends. Usually you don't get anything weird but I did receive two zip files and an html send was blocked when I was on mirc. Mirc has some bad stuff. I delete the zip files, and I can almost assure you they were bad. One was titled unzipme.zip and the other was something like porn. It was like Jenna loves Gina.xxx.zip or something. I got rid of them quick and ran full virus and trojan scans and i constantly watch my zone alarm for things going out of my computer. I left it on overnight and checked it out and freaked cuz I was at a gig sent!!! Turns out one of my morpheus d/l's completed and was being shared ruthlessly.

tygloalex · 02-24-02, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr. M
There is always a small chance that something bad can happen when you connect to the web. IMO, though, if you expect other people to share files with you it is only fair for you to share with them.

Good point. I try to stay in a small click cuz if I put some of the stuff I have on morpheus, i'd be getting leeched so bad, my computer wouldn't run.

Thunderball · 02-25-02, 01:09 AM

is there some "unwritten rules", like not closing off the program when someone is downloading?

pantala · 02-25-02, 03:10 AM

Using a program like Morpheus or WinMX (probably) isn't anything to be concerned about. Leaving Windows File & Print Sharing services active can be a big problem though (at least, if you don't know you're sharing your stuff).

Always run a firewall program such as ZoneAlarm (free for individual users). WindowsXP has a built in firewall, but I prefer the customizability of ZA.

RoQuEr · 02-25-02, 12:11 PM

it's common curtesy to share. Otherwise you are just LEECHING off other people, dragging the system down without adding anything to it. People like you are the reason why I have moved to private direct connect hubs, cause then you can regulate things like connection speed, # of open ports, and minimum share sizes.

twikoff · 02-25-02, 12:16 PM

of course.. everyone knows that there are pretty nice security holes in most of these peer to peer file sharing programs as well.
but the odds of someone exploiting those holes on your particular computer is pretty low.. and the damage is not really enough to be concerned about.

02-24-02, 11:29 PM	#1
Thunderball DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In a place without the cursed couch Posts: 20,584	Leaving Peer to Peer File Sharing Open... Can I get any weird stuff in my PC by sharing files? I never opened up my MP3 library to other WinMX users,but theya re starting to disconnect me all the time for not sharing..so I was just curious , now that I opened it up.. Can anything bad happen? __________________ If people had followed my guidelines their wouldn't be any fluff. It was supposed to be just lists and no discussions, but I guess I was expecting too much for DVD Talkers. -Josh Hinkle

02-24-02, 11:31 PM	#2
Dragon Fly DVD & Video Game Reviewer Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Tax-achusettes Posts: 2,392	Um, honestly, i don't think so. I don't show my stuff and they don't boot me. todd __________________ Gamertag: Paradoxx21 My Anime Blog!

02-25-02, 01:09 AM	#7
Thunderball DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In a place without the cursed couch Posts: 20,584	is there some "unwritten rules", like not closing off the program when someone is downloading? __________________ If people had followed my guidelines their wouldn't be any fluff. It was supposed to be just lists and no discussions, but I guess I was expecting too much for DVD Talkers. -Josh Hinkle

02-25-02, 12:11 PM	#9
RoQuEr DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 5,456	it's common curtesy to share. Otherwise you are just LEECHING off other people, dragging the system down without adding anything to it. People like you are the reason why I have moved to private direct connect hubs, cause then you can regulate things like connection speed, # of open ports, and minimum share sizes. __________________ Spoiler: "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we," Bush said. "They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.

02-25-02, 12:16 PM	#10
twikoff DVD Talk God Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Right Behind You!!! Posts: 79,341	of course.. everyone knows that there are pretty nice security holes in most of these peer to peer file sharing programs as well. but the odds of someone exploiting those holes on your particular computer is pretty low.. and the damage is not really enough to be concerned about. __________________ Do you live in Idaho or Wyoming? If so, its time to Check In!

02-24-02, 11:32 PM	#3
Mr. M DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: left field Posts: 2,523	There is always a small chance that something bad can happen when you connect to the web. IMO, though, if you expect other people to share files with you it is only fair for you to share with them.

02-24-02, 11:35 PM	#5
tygloalex DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Spring Hell, Florida Posts: 4,609	I usually share my good stuff with my close friends. Usually you don't get anything weird but I did receive two zip files and an html send was blocked when I was on mirc. Mirc has some bad stuff. I delete the zip files, and I can almost assure you they were bad. One was titled unzipme.zip and the other was something like porn. It was like Jenna loves Gina.xxx.zip or something. I got rid of them quick and ran full virus and trojan scans and i constantly watch my zone alarm for things going out of my computer. I left it on overnight and checked it out and freaked cuz I was at a gig sent!!! Turns out one of my morpheus d/l's completed and was being shared ruthlessly.

02-25-02, 03:10 AM	#8
pantala DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,452	Using a program like Morpheus or WinMX (probably) isn't anything to be concerned about. Leaving Windows File & Print Sharing services active can be a big problem though (at least, if you don't know you're sharing your stuff). Always run a firewall program such as ZoneAlarm (free for individual users). WindowsXP has a built in firewall, but I prefer the customizability of ZA.