I have a Windows 2000 machine running the latest copy of Limewire.

Last week we recieved an email from the Film media network saying that my machine has been distibuting illegally Copies of the film Austin Powers III

Now i have never downloaded this film my sharing folder is empty and has been for a while now.

Our network guy here is suggesting that one cause could be that because we have static IP addresses somebody is using my machine as a relay so it looks like the files are coming from my machine but really they are coming from somewhere else... Now i would like to know is his actually possible???? is there a flaw in Limewire???

I must admit I am deeply worried about this .

All help is greatly appreciated

Marc

I'm not a programmer so I'm not the best person to help you - but it is possible to use a static IP as a relay point - your machine gets used as a remote server for someone distributing material

I don't think LW is at fault in any way here - its just that a static IP has certain uses - one of them being what someone appears to be doing to you

but I stress - I'm not the person you need to untangle whatever has been going on

good luck, bad_vlad

Without getting into the technical aspects of IP spoofing. Let me suggest the following solution(s) to your problem.

First, if you are confident that this file did not come from your machine, simply state this in your response to the complaint. Secondly, it appears that you are actively interested in resolving this matter. I assume that the person who sent you the letter is also interested in a resolution. Therefore they should have no problems in providing your with detailed logs indicated such activities I suggest that you request this information as it will aid you in your investigation. The reason I suggest is because it is really easy for people complain that they are being hacked or attacked by this person or that person. (In your case, copyright infringment is suggested.) Thirdly, I assume that you have some way of logging access to your system this is important so that you can check your records against the information they provide you with (assuming that they will do this.) Finally, if you have checked your system and you are sure that you did not share this file and they don't provide you with any information. In your response indicate the following: (use your own words.)

Verfied that your system is currently not hosting the file(s) in question.

Restate your position of not ever consciously hosting the files.

Indicate your willingness to resolve this problem but your inability to do so without more detailed information.

Finally state that if they feel this information is in error. Welcome them to contact you directly.


Hope this helps good luck.

There are two points I would like to touch on here. I am an expert on neither, so read with caution.

1. Getting an email address from an IP address is not the easiest thing to do (though it is possible). That would tend to make me believe that this was an email type scam. Try to find out if your 'film media network' even exists.

2. If you do not have some type of firewall software running, then, it is possible for anyone (in the world) to use your computer to do anything (usually a Trojan program). It's scary but that is the way it is.

As far as I know, there is no way for anyone to use Limewire for anything other than sharing the files that you want to share.

Ken

Although every case does not happen like this often the film media network contacts the ISP of the host sharing the copyrighted material. The ISP then takes steps to contact the user on it's system to remove the copyrighted material. So in this case the ISP would make contact with you on behalf of the media company.

I would take the case you have seriously but be careful who you're dealing with. You wouldn't want to give out information to some spamming party.