Virus Question

[Ralph Wiggum]

I just read the following in an article: "Nearly half of the executable files downloaded through Kazaa contain malicious code like viruses and Trojan horses, according to a recent study by security firm TruSecure. Out of 4,778 files downloaded in one month for the study, nearly half contained various types of nefarious code."

A few questions occurred to me on this. First, is it true? I could believe a big number of files were infected, but half seems like a little bit much. Second, if true would Norton Antivirus be able to protect against most of them? Finally, assume you had some downloaded files from Kazaa saved on a CD-ROM in MP3 format: would scanning the files on the CD for viruses and finding none actually indicate that they were clean or does NAV just not see all of the potential bad stuff? This is all hypothetical of course.

[Bagginses]

I wouldn't put it past Kazaa to do that. I know many people have had problems with spyware that gets transferred through it. I use Kazaa Lite, but it's hard to find download links to it since I think normal Kazaa is trying to get Lite shutdown. I have an installation file on computer if you can't find a download link. Maybe I could transfer it to you somehow.

-Bagginses

[Jeffro Profile YIM]

Originally posted by Bagginses
I wouldn't put it past Kazaa to do that. I know many people have had problems with spyware that gets transferred through it. I use Kazaa Lite, but it's hard to find download links to it since I think normal Kazaa is trying to get Lite shutdown. I have an installation file on computer if you can't find a download link. Maybe I could transfer it to you somehow.

-Bagginses

Kazaa lite is going down the drain

When i try to download anything, I usually get a "more sources" or "remotely queued"

[Bullhead]

1. Yes, kazaa is a plague on humanity. Not only is their software crap, full of spyware, etc., but it's also a haven for viruses. Matter o' fact, I know of at least a half dozen viruses that ONLY exist in Kazaa, no where else, and only propagate thru kazaa. Most viruses written now will not only attempt to email themselves to all your addy. book people, but will also look for kazaa on your pc and will copy themselves under various b/s names to your shared folder

2. Norton should be able to stop any of them, save for something new, which is always a risk, regardless of AV software used. If the cd scans clean with the newest NAV def., you are likely safe (unless you already have a virus running, in which case NAV could be comprimised).

[RCglider Profile]

And just because AV doesn't detect anything, doesn't mean you're ok. Bottom line: use at your own risk.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Thanks. I don't plan on installing Kazaa on my new comp (I eventually got Kazaa Lite on the old one), but I have a few files I thought I would move over if they scanned clean.