how safe are p2p file sharing programmes?

i dont know what it is i just dont trust these things....how safe are programmes such as limewire and ares ???

The programs are usually safe, but the files shared on the networks aren't. Malware writers like to target p2p networks, due to no precaution taken to ensure that the files shared are not malicious. When you download a file for example, it may be bundled with malware.

I recommend not using them.

Each download you make can potentially have malware or such, unless you know the original uploader or from a trusted website. For example, Radiohead's new song called These Are My Twisted Words is on torrent sites, but it is a trusted source if you get the torrent link from their website as they uploaded it to the torrents. However, if you come across another torrent which appears to the the same song, but not the torrent posted on their website, the file may have been altered to cause damage to your computer.

Did anyone mention file sharing is illegal?

Yeah well, so many people are already doing it there's no point mentioning, file sharing wouldn't stop anyway.

so basically i would be better off not using them at all???

If you decide to use them, your computer will be at a higher risk of attack. However the majority do not have malware.

Please make sure what you download is within the laws of your country as well.

But, from a legal point of view it is better off not using them, as what you are getting may be copyright which may lead to fines.

i used to use limewire, and thats how i got viruses on my computer the first time you guys helped me out, i was desperate to find that old game: Abe's Exoddus. And so i scoured the internet looking for a download more than just a demo, and a link opened up limewire (which i had been using previously) which started downloading the file, i waited and waited as it was a few gigs of space, luckily the second i couldnt get it to work i deleted it to stop any further malware, then, upon finding out i HAD malware already offloaded i got rid of LW.
Moral of the story, sometimes it's best not to take chances, even if the reward looks worth it.

are there any safe ones? what about megaupload?

Same thing with file sharing websites, the site is clean, but the files may not be.

I read in the papers before that most people caught with illegal music downloads use p2p.

I think it's harder to be tracked when downloading from server sites, especially when they're in Germany and most court cases are in the US.

Funny enough no matter where you are in the world if you violate copyright and someone finds you, you are going to suffer ...You can be prosecuted in your country by an international court, which sucks... BUT we should all realise that if it's illigal and free : one, we are stealing ; two, what about all the original artists' hard work for null!!!