LimeWire is a program available for Mac OS X that is used for peer-to-peer, or p2p, file sharing on the Gnutella network. It can be used to download new songs, videos and other files that people have shared on the network, as well as upload files to other users. It also has many options to help find completely legal and free media. If obtained directly from the LimeWire website, LimeWire will not contain malware and is safe to run on your Mac.

On the Other: Unintentional Sharing of Certain Files

Since LimeWire can be used to share any kind of file from the computer it is running on, it is easy to accidentally share private information, copyrighted media or personal photos. While LimeWire does have the capability to limit and filter the files that are being shared, it is an extra step that the user must take in order to protect themselves. Also, LimeWire does not employ any kind of virus scanning of files available on the network, so a user may unknowingly download an infected file.

Bottom Line

When used with proper caution for what is shared, LimeWire is a safe and useful program for downloading new media and sharing files of any kind with other users of the Gnutella network. It is highly recommended to use anti-virus software in conjunction with LimeWire, even though most viruses do not target Mac OS X. Also, take note of other users on the p2p network who may be sharing copyrighted media despite applicable copyright law or other contractual agreements.

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LimeWire FAQ