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LimeWire

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File:Limewire logo.gif
Developer(s)Lime Wire LLC
Initial releaseMay 29, 2000
Written inJava
PlatformCross-platform
Available in31 languages
TypeFile sharing
LicenseGNU General Public License
WebsiteLimeWire.com
LimeWire.org

LimeWire is a free peer-to-peer file sharing (P2P) client for the Java platform, which uses the Gnutella network to locate files as well as share files. It also has limited BitTorrent support. A freeware version and a purchasable "enhanced" version are available.

Features

Written in the Java programming language, LimeWire is able to run on any computer with Java Virtual Machine installed. Installers are provided for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Support for Mac OS 9 and other previous versions was dropped with the release of LimeWire 4.0.10. From version 4.8 onwards, LimeWire works as a UPnP Internet Gateway Device controller in that it can automatically set up packet-forwarding rules with UPnP-capable routers.

LimeWire offers the sharing of its library through the Digital Audio Access Protocol (DAAP). As such when LimeWire is running and configured to allow it, any files shared will be detectable and downloaded on the local network by DAAP-enabled devices (e.g., iTunes, Zune).

Versions

Lime Wire LLC, the New York City based developer of LimeWire, distributes two versions of the program; a basic version for free, and an enhanced version, LimeWire PRO, sold for a fee of $21.95 with 6 months of updates, or $34.95 with 1 year of updates.[1] The company claims the paid version provides faster downloads and 66% better search results. This is accomplished by facilitating direct connection with up to 10 hosts of an identical searched file at any one time, whereas the free version is limited to a maximum of 8 hosts.[2]

Being free software, LimeWire has spawned forks, including LionShare, an experimental software development project at Penn State University, and Acquisition, a Mac OS X–based Gnutella client with a proprietary interface. Researchers at Cornell University developed a reputation management add-in called Credence that allows users to distinguish between "genuine" and "suspect" files before downloading them. An October 12, 2005 report states that some of LimeWire's free and open source software contributors have forked the project and called it FrostWire.[3] The makers of the LimeWire software have now installed a security device that can track most viruses in files.

LimeWire was the first file sharing program to support firewall-to-firewall file transfers, a feature introduced in version 4.2, which was released in November 2004. LimeWire also now includes BitTorrent support, but is limited to 3 Torrent uploads and 3 Torrent downloads, which coexist with ordinary downloads. As of LimeWire 5.0, an instant messenger has been added which uses the Jabber Protocol, an open source communication protocol. Users can now chat and share files with individual friends in their buddy list.

Criticism

In LimeWire versions prior to 5.0, users could accidentally configure the software to allow access to any file on their computer, including documents with personal information. Recent versions of LimeWire do not allow inadvertent sharing of documents or applications. In 2005, the US Federal Trade Commission issued a consumer warning regarding the dangers of using file-sharing networks, stating that using such networks can lead to identity theft and lawsuits.[4] On May 5th, 2009, a P2P industry spokesman represented Lime Wire and others at a U.S. House of Representatives legislative hearing on H.R. 1319, the "The Informed P2P User Act."[5]

One investigation showed that of 123 randomly selected downloaded files, 37 contained malware – about 30%.[6] In mid 2008, a Macintosh trojan exploiting a vulnerability involving Apple Remote Desktop was distributed via LimeWire affecting users of Mac OS X Tiger and Leopard.[7] The ability to distribute such malware and viruses has also been reduced in versions of LimeWire 5.0 and greater, with the program defaulting to not sharing or searching for executable files.

Prior to April 2004, the free version of LimeWire was distributed with a bundled program called LimeShop (a variant of TopMoxie), which was, by definition, spyware. Among other things, LimeShop monitored online purchases in order to redirect sales commissions to Lime Wire LLC. Uninstallation of LimeWire would not remove LimeShop. With the removal of all bundled software in LimeWire 3.9.4 (released on April 20, 2004), these objections were addressed.[8] LimeWire currently has a facility that allows its server to contact a running LimeWire client and gather various information.[9]

An identity theft scheme involving LimeWire was discovered in Denver in 2006.[10] On September 7, 2007, Gregory Thomas Kopiloff of Seattle was arrested in what the U.S. Justice Department described as its first case against someone accused of using file sharing computer programs to commit identity theft. According to federal prosecutors, Kopiloff used LimeWire to search other people's computers for inadvertently shared financial information and then used it to obtain credit cards for an online shopping spree.[11]

LimeWire automatically receives a cryptographically signed file, called simpp.xml, containing a IP block list. Blocking certain IPs has become commonplace in P2P filesharing, however, what makes it controversial[9] in this case is the fact that LimeWire (the corporation) has control over this list. Because of the signing, no one else is allowed to send the list. Furthermore, there is nothing configurable about the choice of block list nor is there anyway for a non-technical user to examine its contents.[9]

A commonly cited illicit use of file sharing software is to make illegal copies of software, music, and movies. According to a June 2005 report in The New York Times, Lime Wire LLC was considering ceasing its distribution of LimeWire because the outcome of MGM v. Grokster "handed a tool to judges that they can declare inducement whenever they want to."[12]

Further information: [[:File sharing#Risks|File sharing § Risks]]

LimeWire Store

LimeWire now offers a service called LimeWire Store that offers single songs for $0.99 each as well as subscription plans that discount the per-song cost as low as $0.27. Video content is available as well but has a limited catalog.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ Lime Wire PRO.
  2. ^ Lime Wire » Download LimeWire.
  3. ^ "FrostWire Beta Released", from Slyck.com.
  4. ^ http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/06/p2p.shtm
  5. ^ http://dcia.info/documents/testimony/5-5%20DCIA%20WrittenTestimony.pdf
  6. ^ PC Pro Magazine, September 2008 issue, p. 109.
  7. ^ Firms discover Trojan horse targeted at Mac OS X.
  8. ^ Lime Wire » Features History.
  9. ^ a b c U.S. arrest puts spotlight on file-sharing risk.
  10. ^ Police: File sharing key to ID theft scheme By Howard Pankratz. Denver Post, 27 Oct 2006.
  11. ^ U.S. arrest puts spotlight on file-sharing risk.
  12. ^ Zeller, Tom. "Sharing Culture Likely to Pause but Not Wither". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
  13. ^ http://store.limewire.com/

Sources

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