Ares (publisher's description)

Ares is a free open source file sharing program that enables users to share any digital file including images, audio, video, software, documents, etc.
You may now easily publish your files through the Ares decentralized network. As a member of the virtual community, you can search and download just about any file shared by other users.
With Ares you can also join chat rooms or host your channel and meet new friends.
aresgalaxy homepage

 

about free ares

Ares Galaxy is a peer-to-peer file sharing program. The publisher describes the network as similar in function to Kazaa's FastTrack network. Ares used to work off the Gnutella network, but six months after its creation in 2002, they switched to their own network, consisting of leaves and supernodes. Free Ares Galaxy is open source software for the Microsoft Windows operating systems and was written in the Delphi programming language.

Features:

Proponents of the software claim that it has faster download times, no spyware or adware, faster and more complete searches than other file-sharing programs, and connects quickly. Ares also has the additional feature of chat rooms. There are three stand-alone alternative clients that connect to the same network. Warez P2P is basically a clone of Ares Galaxy but with a few minor extras and advertising. KCeasy connects to the Ares network, in addition to OpenFT and Gnutella. Since version 1.9.0 data sharing is possible even when both peers are behind a firewall.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ares_Galaxy.

Excerpt from FTC document "File Sharing: A Fair Share- Maybe Not": Shared Folders

File-Sharing: A Fair Share? Maybe Not.
Every day, millions of computer users share files online. Whether it is music, games, or software, file-sharing can give people access to a wealth of information. You simply download special software that connects your computer to an informal network of other computers running the same software. Millions of users could be connected to each other through this software at one time. The software often is free and easily accessible.

Sounds promising, right? Maybe, but make sure that you consider the trade-offs. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, cautions that file-sharing can have a number of risks. For example, when you are connected to file-sharing programs (like Limewire), you may unknowingly allow others to copy private files you never intended to share. You may download material that is protected by the copyright laws and find yourself mired in legal issues. You may download a virus or facilitate a security breach. Or you may unwittingly download pornography labeled as something else.
To secure the personal information stored on your computer, the FTC suggests that you:

• Set up the file-sharing software very carefully. If you don't check the proper settings when you install the software, you could open access not just to the files you intend to share, but also to other information on your hard drive, like your tax returns, email messages, medical records, photos, or other personal documents.