Kazaa v2

Please note: these instructions are for advanced users and are offered as suggested steps only. ITS can not offer to help you if you do not understand or have problems with them.

Kazaa v2.0 is the latest and most dangerous file sharing application to hit the Internet. Just like all P2P file-sharing software, while offering you the ability to search for and download multimedia files (like MP3's), it opens your computer and your internet connection to a potentially unlimited number of unknown users, dragging down your computer and your internet connection. It only runs on Microsoft Windows systems; so if you're a Macintosh user, these instructions will not apply to you.

To Find out if you have Kazaa installed:
   1.From the start menu, select “search” and “for files and folders”
   2.Search for files and folders named “Kazaa”
   3.If the search turns up any folders or programs, you have it installed.

ITS recommends that you remove all P2P file-sharing software from your system. In the case of Kazaa v2, the software can be disabled through removal, but this does not delete your shared files or any “bonus” software that Kazaa has installed. Be aware that by listing these instructions, ITS in no way guarantees that you have removed the software from your system.

To Uninstall Kazaa:
   1. From the start menu, select ‘Control Panel’
   2. In the Control Panel, select ‘Add/Remove Programs’
   3. Inside the Add/Remove Programs window, find Kazaa 2.0 (and any other suspicious P2P software, while you are at it) and remove it. See http://www.colby.edu/info.tech/news/stories/kazaa/instructions.html for more information on cleaning up your system (advanced users only).

If you insist on leaving such software on your system, please read the following suggestions for limiting Kazaa’s upload capabilities.

Is Kazaa is currently running? Look in the lower right-hand corner of your screen, on the task bar. If you see a small yellow “K” in a blue box, Kazaa is currently running.. OR- Press CTRL-ALT-DELETE or RIGHT-CLICK the Windows task bar and select Windows task manager. You should see a list of programs. If Kazaa is in the list, it is running.

How To Limit Kazaa’s Capabilities (VERY IMPORTANT)
   1. Under the “Tools” menu, under “Options”
   2. In the “My Kazaa” tab, UNCHECK the box that says “Launch Kazaa Automatically.” This will keep Kazaa from running every time you turn on your computer.
   3. In the “Traffic” tab, set your maximum number of uploads to 0 (ZERO) – this will prevent other people from taking your files. This should NEVER be left on “Unlimited” (Kazaa sets this to unlimited by default, and is the number one reason why we have no bandwidth here at Colby). It is also suggested that you check the box that says “Disable sharing of files with other Kazaa users” for this same reason. It is suggested that you set your maximum number of downloads to 1 (ONE).
   4. In the “Advanced” tab, CHECK the box that says, “Do not function as a super node.” This prevents your system from processing other people’s searches. UNCHECK the box that says “Optimal bandwidth when computer is idle.” Note: “Optimal” means, “take all of my bandwidth, please.”
   5. In the “Firewall” tab, UNCHECK the box that says, “Use port 80 as alternative for incoming connections.” Leaving this checked will bring your web surfing to a standstill.
   6. Close Kazaa if you're not using it - If you're not using it, why should anyone else? “Closing” Kazaa (clicking the X in the top-right corner to make the window close) does not actually shut it off! Never leave Kazaa running in the background. It is good practice to never leave anything running that you are not actually using, but in this case it is extremely important. Because Kazaa wants to stay running, it tries to conceal the fact that it is by just hiding when you close it. You can shut it off if you know how – and there are two ways to do it.
   7. Close the program using the taskbar icon
   8. RIGHT-click the Kazaa icon in your taskbar (this will appear as a small “K” in the lower right-hand side of your screen. (note – left-clicking the icon will bring up the Kazaa window)
   9. Select “Close Kazaa” from the pop-up menu. The icon should go away. Kazaa has left the building.

To keep the program from starting again, see the first step under “Limiting Kazaa’s Capabilities” above.

How ToClose the program using the Windows task manager:
   1. Press the CTRL-ALT-DELETE keys all at once.
   2. Open Windows Task Manager (it should be a tab that you press if it does not come up automatically)
   3. In the Applications list, find Kazaa and click on it.
   4. Press the “End Task” button
   5. In a few seconds, you will get a window saying, “This program is not responding….” Press the END NOW button. This will shut down the program.