I know every body has virus protection but how about a program that scans everybody's files before you put them on lime wire if it detects a virus you wont be able to share them on limewire. Or how about no files under 1,000kbs allowed that would get most of thouse trojan houses.

Poxy

As Limewire does not host any files, you are downloading from other P2P users like yourself who may or may not AV apps, how do you propose to scan everybody's files? For example, how can you scan files on my PC or how can LW or anybody else scan files on your PC?

You should think you proposal through a bit more.


UK Bob

What I mean is when you first install limewire you have the option scanning your HD for files to share well how about putting a byte limit on files to. I am sure that would not be to hard for the LW programers to do on the next update.

i agree with you poxy

Poxy

On the face of it your idea may seem to have merit but, believe it or not, some people like to collect WMA music files which can be quite small. For example, the very first WMA music file I came across was less than 400k yet it was a full 3 minute song.

Plus, your idea would also exclude any new developments in file compression and file size reduction.

Therefore, the best bet, rather than putting in these exclusions, is to have your own AV on your own PC scanning all your files.


UK Bob.

limiting file size isn't really the answer, as ukbobby said, but I think limewire should intergrate with an anti virus to scan all shared files for a few reasons.

1. It could prevent the sharing of that file from the host (only on those running limewire, I know, but it's a start).

2. If those not running an anti-virus had limewire tell them they have infected files on their PC, maybe it will get them off their asses and get protected.

3. Many people who run anti-virus software still see file sharing as a great potential risk, and do not share / are deterred from file sharing because of this. If Limewire had virus security it could decrese the perceived threat.

4. What other file sharing app has this feature? I don't know of one anyway, except the windows live messenger sharing feature, which intergrates its own anti virus. Stay ahead of the game.

Ed

Ed91

Although I am glad that you can see the point I was making about small files I must say that I am not a fan of putting an AV in LW, note that this suggestion has been made before.

I feel that any AV that LW may incorporate would been seen as second rate, unlikely to be used and, like all AVs, have to be constantly updated. Now, bearing in mind that you can buy or get free AVs, there is really no excuse for a person not to have an AV on their PC.

As for LW, I would prefer the programmers concentrated on making LW better rather than be distracted by trying to keep a secondary add-in up to date.



UK Bob

A nice compromise would be to include a setting in the options that allows you to specify a AV program path to initiate a virus check on any new download or at the click of a button (in the case of multiple downloads being done and then waiting until those are all finished before initiating the virus scan.

Starman

I think your suggestion is very good, similar to the idea I put forward some time ago.

Your idea, i.e. to select via the option menu your AV scanner's exe file and that LW would initiate an AV scan on all downloaded files, is obviously the way to go.

You know, about two years ago this was the way that Yahoo Messenger got your installed AV to scan any attachments it carried. I feel, like you do, that LW should employ this method to offer the extra protection that some users need.



UK Bob