Need Networking Guru Please!!!!

[historian]

Im thinking of downloading a p2p program called Earthstation5. Im not that familiar with networking but they claim to have several anonymous servers which reroute your file request and apparently is impossible to trace. Do you think its safe???
thanks

[quispquake]

1. Be careful

I did a quick look around, and some folks are saying this is a trojan program that will compromize your PC...I looked at their site, and they are FLOUTING copywrite law, so something is definitely up...I personally would stay clear...

[historian]

2. oops ok thanks

[AndyP]

3. nothing is "safe"

the RIAA seems to catch people who share lots of files. Be careful with the spyware that is going to be attached to the program too, it slows your computer, allows pop-ups, and literally spys on you.
Back to your question, if you don't share a lot of files you should be fine. To not share a lot of files you can usually tell the program to share a specific folder and download to a specific folder- make sure these folders are different. I share a folder with only 20-30 files in it (cuz I don't want to be a leech) but my download folder has a zillion files. If you need help you can email me. Good luck!

Edit: well if the above is the case I would stay away from this program. I use Ares, stay AWAY from Kazaa or morpheus

[necso]

4. ES5 is not considered legit by many in the file sharing community.

http://www.slyck.com/news.php?story=406 is one example, but there are many.

www.slyck.com has a nice guide to P2P SW.

Techtv maintains a list of RIAA targets (certain are unresolved yet, and I won't swear it's 100%) http://www.techtv.com/news/culture/jump/0,24196,3506996,00.html which helps you know which networks are unattacked to date. There are technical reasons why some networks are tougher than others to spy on. However, this is not the place for that discussion, but be warned that the overhead to provide proxies is high (it costs) and "open" proxies are best not relied on.

There are other P2P portals and discussion groups, but I would start with slyck.