Q&A

Is FrostWire Safe to Use?

FrostWire is as safe to use as other P2P file sharing programs, which means it’s safe if you’re careful. Torrent sites are up there among the most dangerous places to visit on the internet, mainly because these sites are unregulated and have no reputation to uphold. Even torrents labeled as “scanned and verified” shouldn’t be trusted. If you must download a torrent file, use a secondary computer with updated antivirus software. Then scan the files and wait a few days before running them (it can take a while for your antivirus to pick up malware as a threat).

We’re not here to debate the morality of sharing files that do not belong to you, but you should know that torrent downloading carries other risks. Remember that your IP address is always visible when you use torrent clients like FrostWire, so your computer is easily tracked and identified. Besides the possibility of being taken to court or landing in jail, a rogue file can wipe out your hard drive. Adware, spyware and malware are often distributed with torrent files, and sources are often unsafe. Never use FrostWire if you don’t have antivirus installed. It’s also good to have a malicious software removal tool just in case.

That said, FrostWire as a standalone program is 100 percent safe. If you’re using it to share legal and personal files with friends and family, then the risk of getting viruses is very low. Although some torrents may be infected with adware and spyware, FrostWire itself is free of these. You can examine the open-source code for yourself if you want to check for security loopholes. For your protection, here are some tips for using FrostWire safely:

• If you can’t help download illegal torrents, download files from trustworthy sources (or at least those that look trustworthy). To tell legit files from fake ones, check the file name. Beware of files that contain only the file name that you searched for. Some bad hosts auto-generate malicious files based on your original search keywords.
• Check the file size before you download it. An MP3 file should be around 4 MB and up, while a full-length film is around 600 MB and up. Games vary in size; RPGs are usually from 1 to 2 GB and up. Documents and eBooks are smaller in size.
• Scan everything you download. This means all files, not just executable ones (those with .exe extension). If your antivirus program detects a threat, quarantine it. Try waiting a few days and running a scan again. If it still detects a threat, it’s best to delete the file.
• It’s not recommended to use FrostWire and other P2P programs if you’re connected to a local area network, even if it’s just a home network. Use just one computer for downloading torrents, and isolate it from the rest of your devices. Don’t keep important and sensitive documents in that computer.
• Check what files you are sharing. Open the FrostWire folder and delete any files that shouldn’t be shared with the public.
• Be picky about the files that you’re downloading. Recently released TV shows, movies and music are among the most downloaded torrent files in FrostWire; unfortunately, this also makes them prime targets for people who want to spread malware and viruses. It’s best to download old releases, but if you can’t help it, always run a virus scan and wait a few days before opening or running the file.

Use Antivirus and Firewall Software to Protect Yourself

Good antivirus software and working firewall are your primary defenses against online threats. Going online without them is asking for trouble; it’s only a matter of time before you encounter a rouge file that could crash your system. Antivirus is often bundled with a new computer, but in case you don’t have it installed, there are many good programs that you can download for free. It’s great if you can get a paid antivirus like Norton, but don’t worry if you can’t afford them. Free programs often come with all the essentials you need.

Here are some of the best free security programs for Windows:

AVG Antivirus Free 2013

AVG Antivirus Free is the most downloaded and highest rated free antivirus program on download.cnet.com. The 2013 version is the latest, featuring all-around basic protection, a new interface and important updates. Reviewers give the program four stars for excellent security and relatively low impact on system resources. The paid version comes with plenty of extras that are not really essential. Windows XP and Vista users should get a firewall upgrade, either free or paid (included in the paid AVG suite).

Installation of AVG 2013 is quick (about five minutes) and it doesn’t even require a reboot. You do have to customize SafeSearch and toolbar options or they will be installed automatically. A fresh installation will also close your browser windows (all of them) without warning. While AVG 2013 may not be the best antivirus software on the market, it’s small and effective at basic protection. If you don’t have a PC antivirus, we recommended this one.

Avast Free Antivirus

Avast is the second highest rated free antivirus program on CNET. It has basic protection, a user-friendly interface and while not perfect, the features are solid. The installation process is faster than before (about 3 minutes), but it’s not the fastest out there. Like AVG, you need to customize the feature to avoid being saddled with unnecessary features like the Webrep browser add-on and desktop gadget.

Instead of the recommended settings, choose custom install and uncheck these options. Firefox and Explorer block forced add-on installation, so you’ll see a prompt that asks if you want to install the add-on if you’ve installed Avast using recommended settings. Reviewers give the software votes for “forward-thinking” features and very good protection without eating up system resources. According to CNET, more than 150 million people use Avast to keep them safe. It also gets an Editor’s Choice rating as a free antivirus suite.

Ad-Aware Free Antivirus

Another good antivirus is Ad-AWare, Lavasoft’s entry into the Windows security arena. Ad-Aware 10 is the latest version, featuring a brand new code and interface. This complete reboot functions like the original but looks entirely different. Installation is fast, but it automatically installs the Ad-Aware browser toolbar in Firefox and Explorer if you didn’t uncheck the right boxes. Ad-Aware does not require registration for the trial version or the free version, unlike Avast or AVG. It also downloads definitions updates and upgrades automatically. Unfortunately, you need to reboot your system after installing to get it to work. Overall, Ad-Aware offers good basic protections, but it’s not the best security software on the market.

Extra Protection with Firewall Software

Firewalls are programs that prevent unauthorized access to your computer or networks. Without them, anybody can access your files, modify programs and even takeover your computer’s brain. Firewalls are like traffic cops, they allow or restrict the flow of information from the internet to your network based on trust levels you set. A new computer with an operating system installed usually comes with a built-in firewall. If your computer doesn’t have one, here are some great (and completely free) programs you should consider:

Comodo Dragon

Comodo Dragon is one of the top rated (editor rating) firewall programs on CNET. Comodo is capable, comes packed with features and uses cloud-based data to prevent unauthorized attacks on your system. It also shields you from viruses, malware and hacker threats. For the low, low price of $0, you also get a fast web browser (Comodo Dragon), secure DNS and subscription to a help feature called Geek Buddy. The firewall setup includes security levels for home, work and public networks. Home security functions like other firewalls with a menu for customizing security levels, game mode and sandbox feature.

When you open a site or program for the first time, you must enable protection through a pop-up, and the program remembers your choice. Set up is fast, but you need to reboot your computer. The UI is easy to navigate, and clearly separated into firewall features and defense features. Overall, the Comodo Dragon is as simple to use and flexible as Windows firewalls with a lot of nice extras thrown in.

Privatefirewall

Privatefirewall is Privacyware’s offering in the free firewall market. It has all the features of free standalone firewalls like Windows plus an intelligent tracking system and extensive documentation. Privatefirewall tracks your online activity and records your usage patterns, so it can detect and block any suspicious activity. It’s easy to allow and restrict any activity, and you don’t have to allow regular programs over and over. The UI is easy to use and has sections for internet security and network security. It lets you choose high, low and customs security levels and block/unblock any site. Privatefirewall is an excellent free program with intelligent monitoring that sets it apart from other free firewalls.

Ashampoo Firewall

Ashampoo FireWall is free and one of the easiest security programs to use (great if you are clueless about configuring anything). Although not the most solid program on the planet, it offers basic protection without the need to tweak a lot of settings to get it to do its job properly. Reviewers like how the program lets you view connection stats and activity. Installation is straightforward, but it does leave some files behind after uninstallation. Overall, Ashampoo firewall is a good program for novice users who want to do as little configuration as possible.

Is FrostWire Legal to Use?

FrostWire is legal, or it still wouldn’t be out there for you to download. Even LimeWire was legal, but it was how it was used that led to its demise. FrostWire is as legal as uTorrent, Vuze, BitComet and other P2P file sharing programs. These are programs that let you share files with others. It’s what type of file you share that may land you in the soup. If you use FrostWire to share personal photos, videos, audio and legal torrents, then you’re using it as it should be used. If you use it share copyrighted material, then you run the risk of the authorities coming after you. Many internet service providers (ISPs) are also going after people who download copyrighted digital files like music, films and TV shows.

If you’re caught the first time, you’ll likely get a warning in the mail and a request to delete the copyrighted files you’ve downloaded. If you’re caught a second time, your ISP may cut off your connection or even turn you over to the authorities. It sounds scary, but it’s the truth. But don’t blame the program if you do get caught, blame yourself and the system. It’s not FrostWire that’s illegal, it’s what you’ve been doing with it. The debate about piracy is ongoing, and you may want to read up on laws and opposing viewpoints to educate yourself. Meanwhile, sharing content protected by copyright is considered stealing, and it is illegal in many countries.

Should I Share Files on FrostWire?

Sharing files is a way of giving back to the community. You won’t be able to download anything if people are unwilling to share their files, so make sure you pay it forward. Again, this means sharing files that are legal and files that are not owned by somebody else. People only get in trouble if they distribute and download copyrighted material. Don’t share your entire hard drive though; to be safe, never share sensitive files or documents. Make sure to check your shared folder once in a while to remove anything that’s not supposed to be there.

You can share files or folders on FrostWire two ways: through the Gnutella network or by seeding (as torrent files). Downloaded files are not automatically shared with the public unless you share them. To enable sharing, go to Tools, then Options and Download Sharing under Sharing. Select “Share Finished Downloads.” To share files on the Gnutella network, add a file or folder into your Shared folder in FrostWire. You can also add or remove files from Gnutella by going to Tools, then Options and Download Sharing under Sharing. Select “Gnutella Network Shared Folders”. Right click on the options to share or remove folders.

Troubleshooting Help – FrostWire Won’t Connect

A common FrostWire problem is being unable to connect, and you can’t search for anything if it does that. This issue is usually related to port forwarding. If you don’t have the latest FrostWire version, download that and install. Then check Connections. Launch FrostWire and go to View > Show/Hide > Connections. Select Add and enter this host address and port number:

Host: 82.37.218.68
Port: 23914!

If that doesn’t do the trick, take a look at this checklist:

• Make sure you have the latest version of FrostWire. Get it directly from our website, FrostWire Free Download.
• Check your firewall and make sure it allows FrostWire connections. If not, add it to your Allowed Programs list.
• Check your router. It should allow ports and setup for UPnP
• Check your antivirus program; it may be blocking FrostWire.
• Check Java and make sure you’re running the latest version.

Now quit and exit FrostWire and go to Windows Firewall > Advanced > Inbound rules and delete everything that mentions FrostWire. You do this to force Windows to ask for permission to connect next time you launch FrostWire. For other firewalls, reset it to default settings or to settings before FrostWire was installed. If you have a malware monitor, make sure it allows FrostWire connections.

For Windows 7, open explorer and go to c:\users\YourAccount or wherever your primary drive is located, and delete the “.frostwire5” folder. Now use Revo Uninstaller to uninstall FrostWire from your system. Get Revo here:www.portableapps.com/apps/utilities/revo_uninstaller_portable. Once uninstalled, download and reinstall FrostWire. Hopefully it should now connect.

Port Forwarding

If you’re using only one computer, you should ignore port forwarding. But if you have several devices on a network behind a router and are connected to the internet simultaneously, UPnP and port forwarding can be an issue. Most new routers have UPnP auto-enabled, but you may have to turn it on manually for older routers. Check your router manual as to how to do that. If you’re clueless, Google the router manual and how to enable UPnP. Some routers don’t support UPnP, so you need to take extra steps if that’s the case.

Look for the port forward feature in your router (consult the manual), usually found under Advanced Settings. Add a port above 1024 and save it. You need to do this for every computer if you have more than one. Now open FrostWire, go to Tools > Options > Advanced > Firewall and set it to manual port forward. Enter the same port you added in the router (the two must match), click apply and OK. Restart FrostWire.

Change Listening Port

Some ISPs automatically block FrostWire’s listening port so you can’t connect. You must change the listening port in this case. Launch FrostWire and go to Tools > Options > Advanced > Firewall. Click the Manual Port Forward radio button and add 6900 in the TCP and UDP boxes. Click apply and OK. Restart FrostWire.

Troubleshooting Help: Stuck on Starting Connection

FrostWire sometimes gets stuck on initiating connection and detects a firewall block. Or it shows turbo charged connection but drops to 0 kb/s once you start to download. There are several ways to troubleshoot this problem, but first start with the basics: Make sure you have the latest version of FrostWire. Check your firewall and set exceptions for FrostWire.

Make an exception rule for both TCP and UDP and set it to “Public.” Check your router; it should allow ports and setup for UPnP (especially for computers connected to a network and behind a router). Check your antivirus program; it may be blocking FrostWire. Check Java and make sure you’re running the latest version. If that doesn’t work, try these workarounds:

• When launching FrostWire, don’t double click the shortcut. Go to the program itself and right click. Change compatibility mode to Windows 2000 or NT. It works even if you’re running XP.
• Launch FrostWire and go to Options. Select any panel and click Restore Defaults on the lower left. Try downloading the file again.
• Exit FrostWire and go to Windows Firewall > Advanced > Inbound rules and delete everything that mentions FrostWire. You do this to force Windows to ask for permission to connect next time you launch FrostWire.
• Delete your FrostWire preferences folder in C:\Documents and Settings\YourUsername\Application Data\FrostWire\themes. For Mac, delete :/YourUsername/Library/Preferences/FrostWire/themes/. For Linux, delete ~/.frostwire/themes/.
• For Windows 7, open explorer and go to c:\users\YourAccount or wherever your primary drive is located, and delete the “.frostwire5” folder. Now use Revo Uninstaller to uninstall FrostWire from your system. Get Revo here. Once uninstalled, download and reinstall the latest FrostWire version. Hopefully it should now connect.
• Some ISPs automatically block FrostWire’s listening port so you can’t connect. You must change the listening port in this case. Launch FrostWire and go to Tools > Options > Advanced > Firewall. Click the Manual Port Forward radio button and add 6900 in the TCP and UDP boxes. Click apply and OK. Restart FrostWire.