How To: Avoid downloading spyware off limewire - Overclock.net

Emmanuel · 06-28-07

Most of us use Limewire, and most of us know that it isn't the safest place aswell because people can put whatever they want for download under any names. I have a few tips that I have been always using to avoid downloading spyware especially for programs. So, for instance, I want to download MSN Messenger off Limewire, what do I look at?
Look at the picture:

With a little of knowledge, I know that the latest version of MSN Messenger is 8 something, so I already see a "_9X". I can already forget about this one. Then, can I really expect the installer to fit in something as small as 0->978.8kb, I don't think so either, so I can forget about all these one. But ones that would be potentially safer are the one that I circled in green, because their title seems appropriate aswell as their size.

So what really are my tips:
#1-Be smart, look at the titles, anything that is weird, that gives fake information, do not download it.
#2-On Limewire, most things <1MB are spyware/virus.
#3-When you download something, you have an approximate idea on the size of the file, if the there is a big difference between your expectations and the size of the file, stay away from it.
#4-I recommend downloading zips instead of EXEs, because if your antivirus don't pick up an EXE threat on time, well, the EXE will have already enough time to do his job; and it's easier to analyze, scan and check the content of a ZIP, something you wouldn't be able to do with an EXE without decompiling it first.
#5-Softwares that are more likely to contain spyware and virus are softwares that aren't normally free, so simply pay for them or be careful...
#6-When you see many similiar files with approximatly the same size, there are more chance for them to be safe, EXCEPT for: reffer yourself to #2.

Hope it helps a little!