There seems to be a big increase in the amount of files that are downloading corrupted. As this is usually only evident once they have got to part or whole of their way through being downloaded is there any way of telling these files from others. (the only way I have noticed is to maybe trawl through and look for file sizes that are exactly the same size as the corrupt one for a particular file)
Also has anyone yet come up with a way of uncorrupting files or protecting them better ?!!

You better run a Virus Protection program while downloading and and stay away from files that dont look right to you before you pickup a virus. I have not come across any corrupted files but, then again, I only download music. There is a worm that is spreading across the Gnutella network, avoid it at all costs.

Here s tip: depending on what you are searching for: avi, movie files are very large. Software is even larger and is usually corrupt or pirated. Always play it safe while using P2P. Think big when downloading certain files. If its really small, chances are its corrupt or a virus.

Scan files first before downloading to make sure they are not infested.

edited to add: there is no way to uncorrupt a file. the only way to tell is by the size of the file and how many reliable sources there are. If its corrupt and they usually are, then delete it straight away before it infests your machine. 90 percent of the files are pirated or bogus, do not trust what you download off the network.

Read the sticky notes for other tips on downloading.

thanks - I only download music too but it would seem that the music industry has found a way of corrupting files shared over P2P by slipping something in. I think when the song is fininshed downloading it checks itself and the corruption tells it that it needs to go back and get a bit of information that it lost - this leads to a never ending circle. Limewire is very good at picking it up but as I say its getting more and more common.

Im also sure the RIAA/MPA is attacking the network at full force. I use my Virus scan to scan every file before dling. seems to be the only way to protect yourself. I dont really dl the top 40. so if they are newer songs done by RIAA then I avoid em. Some files tho can get corrupt after a period of time because they are getting downloaded far too much. Most users never check their files for corruption and leave em for others to download.

Usually when d/ling music I keep the search active until I get all my music. If a file comes up corrupt I delete it, go back to the search, and extend the search just for that one song. I get as many sources as possible and the corrupt issue is usually resolved. I have never gotten "infested" by any .exe, .avi, .mp3 or any other file I have ever downloaded, but my anti virus has stopped several. Keep your AV updated and running active protection. And, sorry, but contrary to some advice I don't scan anything. I play it or whatever and if the AV catches it I note the file size and try to avoid it in the future. Know file sizes. 3,000 to 7,000 for mp3. 155 MB to 250 MB for 2 part avi and 700 MB for full length avi movies.