Viruses in LimeWire Pro

[Sami Kaplan]

First allow me to state the basics:
1. OS version : Windows XP Professional 4.12.6
2. What firewalls you have? None
3. How much ram? 2.00 GB
4. Hard Disk space available? 270 GB
5. Connection type? ADSL
6. Modem name & model: AirTies RT-210v2 (1024 Kb/s)
7. Where are you trying to connect from? House,
8. What version of LimeWire & Java? : LW 4.12.6 Java_1.5 (lastly upgraded)
9. Who is your ISP? ttnet
10. Using your browser go here: http://www3.limewire.com:6346/ : test worked!
11. Are you sharing the connection with other computers or p2p sharing programs? NO
12. This is a new problem.
13. Do you see a brick wall in front of the blue world icon at the bottom of LW's interface? _ click here to see Sample image ???????
14. Modem/router is UPnP enabled?
15. What security programs are you using (antivirus etc)? Avast 4.7 Home Edition, Ad-Aware 2007 Plus 7.0.2.8, SpywareBlaster ver. 3.5.1

After using the free version of LimeWire for a couple of weeks without problem I decided to buy LimeWire Pro and troubles started. Here is how I described in the LimeWire Pro Tech Support Form my problems:
"DESCRIPTION:
---------------------------------------------------
"My newly bought LimeWire Pro is flickering and unstable. First week I downloaded "only" audio
files (27 short pieces), and nothing else. Everything was fine. To download an old song (Yesterday)
from (No mention of copyright material on the forums), I left my computer open for quite a long time. Afterwards it was impossible to use
LimeWire. I had to shut down it manually. Virus check by Avast gave no result. I uninstalled it last
week and reinstalled again today. Same problem. I have a brand new computer with a few software
installed. Someone is sabotaging LimeWire. So, if you wish you can directly check my computer.
I took LimeWire out of my start up menu last week. As long as I don't try to use it, everything is
fine. I'll not uninstall it for a second time before receiving your answer. This is a second version
of my first mail, I understand you didn't receive it... Since, there was an automated answer to my
mail which followed it up. That's why without waiting your reaction I summarized once again my problem. "
I received the following reply:
"The LimeWire Tech Support Team has received a copy
of this email. Soon you will get a response on this
Issue. Thanks."

I know that they are busy so, I patiently waited before
sending another mail, the following:
"
I bought LimeWire Pro simply to support a nice software, since
the free version was working as well. Five months elapsed since
I asked your help for a second time. I am not using LimeWire
since then and I am not asking my money back either. But, if by any
chance you will kindly send a reply to this mail after 5 months,
please tell me why supportive customers are punished?. As I am
travelling I suggest you to use my gmail address in any eventual(!)
reply. Thanks....

Several months elapsed not a single word from them, please
remember I am talking about a paid version. Finally, I send them
today the following mail:
"SO, PAYING YOU WAS A MISTAKE, ONE
SHOULD ALWAYS TRY THE FREE VERSION.
SUPPORT SIMPLY DOES NOT EXIST FOR
STUPID CUSTOMERS WHO BUY YOUR
SOFTWARE. I HAVE TO MAKE KNOWN
THIS SIMPLE FACT ON ALL AVAILABLE
BLOGS. THANKS FOR YOUR UNSHAKABLE
SILENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I made a thorough internet research and
concluded that viruses specially targeting
LimeWire might well be at the origin of
my problems since there are similar complaints,
but no one was able to detect these particular
viruses. I have 23 pages plus 2 containing
information aboout how to combat this type
of troubles with LimeWire. If asked I can
post them to the group. But I think LimeWire
as well should behave a little more seriously
when it comes to this type of problems or
not to sell the pro version at all. Thanks
in advance for any help...

[Sleepless]

While I agree with you to some point, the reason you got no answer is probably that you stated in your mail that you used Limewire to download copyright material, thus a breach of contract leaving you with no support.

I have 23 pages plus 2 containing information aboout how to combat this type
of troubles with LimeWire.

By all means post info on fighting this kind of thing on the forum here. Just remember the no mention of copyright and other rules.

[Sami Kaplan]

Thanks for your prompt reply but, I sincerely believe that the song that I downloaded was not copyrighted. First, it is a song that was composed almost half a century before. Since than almost every musician interpreted it. Some of these interpretations might indeed be copyrighted and some not. This is the common fate of very old and very popular melodies. Still, the total silence of LimeWire after selling their product is not nice. They should simply not pledge support for paying customer or stick to their word. This is not an honest commercial practice. By the way, I am a new member and can you help me in clarifying a question that I have in mind? What group would be the most suitable one for getting technical advice on viruses specially targeting LimeWire? Probably it would be better to post two dozen pages in such a group rather than in an "open discussion" group. Anyway, thanks again....

[Sleepless]

I really think here is the best place, but in General Windows Support might also be good, or even getting started using Limewire, since it is often the new users that end up downloading viruses and such.

Feel free to PM me with links to the thread/s when done, so I can have a look through it and maybe link to it from another sticky.

[Lord of the Rings]

I can confirm that LW Support will ignore all emails that make any mention of copyrighted files.

Re: Viruses, LW.org has no control over what files are shared over the gnutella network. And anti-p2p & sharing of copyright groups have been sponsored to spam the network with viruses, fake files, corrupt files, etc. These being a few examples of such groups: (a) Overpeers, (b) MediaSentry, (c) Mediadefender. Also re: gnutella network an old article: Quality of Content on the Network (click on link)