WinMX is a peer-to-peer file sharing program authored by Frontcode Technologies . WinMX began its life as an OpenNAP client capable of connecting to several servers simultaneously, although Frontcode later, starting with WinMX 2, created a proprietary protocol, termed WinMX Peer Network Protocol (WPNP). WPNP version 2 was phased out as WinMX 3.0 and its WPNP version 3 protocol came into existence. Frontcode operates several cache servers to aid WPNP network operation. Lopster used to have WPNP 2 support, although it was locked out with the arrival of WPNP 3.

Downloads can be very fast for popular songs since the user can run a "Multi-Point download" that simultaneously downloads the same file in small pieces from several users. By doing this, a hit song can be downloaded in less than 2-3 minutes.

WinMX was very popular in Japan due to its ability to handle 2 byte characters. By 2001 it was the de facto P2P application in Japan. However, WinMX's Japanese popularity dropped sharply with the arrest of several users, and resulted in the development of a semi-secure, encrypted, serverless application called WinNY (N comes after M, Y comes after X). WinMX is also especially popular in Italy and Hong Kong.

In early 2004, rumors have been spread around in Hong Kong, saying that the Customs Department is prosecuting people using WinMX to share copyrighted items, which turned out to be not true.

A number of people consider WinMX a much safer downloading program than Kazaa, partly due to the fact that no spyware comes with WinMX.

See also

• Anonymous P2P
• Share - successor to Winny

External links

• WinMX homepage
• Frontcode Technologies website