Any advice for a newbie?
 

Hi there. Im currently using limewire basic and I would be greatful in anyone out there could point me in the right direction. I have no problems downloading films and music and I can play both types of media. I am fully aware that you have to be cautious about what you look for + download and stuff like that (i.e don't touch EXE. files!) My antivirus program is Bullguard V 7.1. How can I scan my "incomplete files" and "currently downloading" files before I "launch" them. I've been on this forum browsing and I have seen loads of problems about viruses and worms and stuff attacking ppl's computers and totally knackering them up. Is it possible for a virus or Trojan to attack a computer simply by previewing a file or clip of a movie? or maybe even an audio file? I've heard rumours they can. This scares the hell out of me because if it did it to me I would be in the you know what as I use my comp for work. Basically thats it, just want to know if anyone has bullguard and knows how to pre-scan files before you actually download them as they save automatically. If I can scan them prior to using the file, then I know if its virused. Thanks all
PS. soz for goin on so much!:

These instructions are for any AV...
Firstly you need to find you Shared folder that live's outside of Limewire...
If you click on one of your files in your limewire library and click explore it will open up you shared folder...Or....

By default this folder lives on your HDD
Go to My comp
access your Hard drive
go to your doccuments and settings
go to your user name folder
go to your shared folder...

Now you can right click on your file and select scan with AV

The same goes with your incompletes, if you want to preveiw them whilst downloading and want to check there safe, follow the instructions above, but once in you user name folder, select the incomplete folder ....:rolleyes_2:

Sparky_05084

I'll answer a couple of your questions based on my own experience.

You asked:Yes you can be attacked, although this type of attack is rare.

Let me explain, a few months ago I was downloading a film clip, when I had downloaded 10% I decided, as usual, to preview the clip. Within 10 seconds I found that my PC was under attack,

This particular attack consisted of three parts but first it got through my modem/router with it's built in firewall.

a) Scan attack blocked by my Norton firewall
b) Auto-bot attack blocked by my PeerGaurdain 2.
c) Spyware/IE highjack attack, where it tried and failed to open two instances of my IE6.0 browser (presumably stopped by my other protective apps).

When I became aware of this attack I deleted this film clip file (sorry, I did not think to catch it’s name).

As you can see, this was a particularly nasty attack that anybody without protection would have been clobbered by.

As for scanning files, you cannot scan them unless they are either partially downloaded, and so will be in your “Incomplete” folder, or fully downloaded and in your “Saved/Shared” folder.

And, as advised by WW, do not use or try to open a file until after you have scanned it.



UK Bob

PS. Sorry, I do not use Bullguard products, I suggest you contact their website.

Cheers both of you for advising me. I hope I can use this site safely from now on. I hope your comp got sorted after a virus tried to mess up your system. I will take caution from now on.
PS. Do any you use "windows media player classic"? If you do, do you know how to improve the clarity of the picture whilst film media is playing etc? Sometimes it goes pixelated and when I installed it I just set it to default as not to mess it up. I know some media films will have better quality than others. Do I need to change a setting here or there? It obviously improves if I make the viewing window samller but I want full screen. Can you guys help? Thanks.
*note* I use a 20.1" NEC monitor with 8ms response and have it set at 60Hz refresh and resolution of 1680 by 1050.

It would be the file quality, You can use Bitzi to find out the quality of files before you download them....
How to use Bitzi

quick question that sorta relates to this. When I download a song I'll preview it at about5% and when I do it says that there is no file to preview for this song. Does this mean it's a virus or what is it exactly? I was curious b/c I've gotten several of these. Thanks in advance.

Try giving it at least 10% before you preview it...

Have you let one fully download and seen if it is ok ??

Another tip is to scan your files before playing them, you can do this by going to your shared folder outside of limewire to find this folder click on one of your files in the limewire library and click on explore....
Now just right click on the file and you will see the option to scan with your Antivirus...

I have made a shortcut to my desktop for my shared folder and that way I have easy access to the downloads and can scan everything as it finishes downloading....:rolleyes_2:

I have let it go past even so far as up to 50% and no I haven't let it go all the way b/c first I didn't think there was anypoint b/c nothing was there and second b/c I've heard of viruses and I'm completely an idiot when it comes to computers so I figured why else would there be a downloadable empty file except for it being a virus. I never knew you could scan your files or even how to do it. Thanks for the advice:)