P2P software allows others to download files?

My kids like to download music and have used P2P programs like LimeWire. I occasionally find inappropriate photos on the computer and they say that these P2P programs allow other users to download pictures. They did not download the pictures. Is this possible for other people to enter into our computer without our permission and download files? I'm doubtful, but I would like to know about this.

 

if the kids d/l'd a virus..(viri love p2p) you could be a zombie (some else has use of your pc) right now....
or they are d/ling the files, just not getting what they thought they were. (p2p'rs love to post mislabeled crap, I hear).
or your kids love porn.

 

It is possible for someone to remotely control your computer, but it's usually done to use it as a server for spam or illegal materials, such as pedophile pornography. Most likely, you need to have a serious talk with your kids. The file names can be changed, but the file extensions (MP3 and WMA are music files and BMP and JPG are picture files, for example. Your kids should know the difference between music and pictures.) can't be changed or the file can't be opened. If they don't request the file, they won't get the file. Others can't force files onto your computer through P2P programs. Tell your kids you will be forced to remove these programs because if they can put pictures in your computer without permission, they can do other things to your computer also.


By the way, Limewire has several spyware programs that install with it.

 

I use Morpheus which is similar. As with anything thesedays there is a risk of being exposed to viruses and trojans which can subsequently install / auto load porn pages. Files can be lownloaded from a pc which is infected, and then you become infected etc.

Adware which comes in with the P2P progs can be a pain too. Also many pages and infections can cause such problems and your antivirus will not pick it up. My pc was attacked by a variant of Cassino Pallazo hijack and the 12 and 15 year olds here were regularly complaining of "adult" sites and links appearing because of it.

As with anyone who suspects that things are being downloaded without their permission id say run a trend micro housecall scan along with Spybot SnD and Ad-aware.

All of these progs i think are available or linked to on here, or alternatively from HERE which has panda's scan link to it too futher down the page

Hope this helps

Alistair

 

p2p programs are bad. They start out ok and then quickly become riddled with spook files.
It's generally a good idea to remove all P2P programs and much easier to not have to deal with all the anxieties that come with using them..

If need be, we have a wonderful tutorial that can assist you in removing any threats to your system.
READ ME FIRST: Basic Spyware, Trojan And Virus Removal

 

I am very thankful for everyone's information. I'm glad I stumbled across this forum, because I was feeling at a loss as to who or where I could find information. I now feel like I can be more knowledgeable about what can happen. I know my kids are not completely innocent, but I also don't want to accuse them of things they did not intentionally do. If anyone else has more advice, I'll still be checking out the replies.

Thank you.

 

Here's a good link Star17 originally posted in Spyware Forum:

http://www.spywareinfo.com/articles/p2p/

PP