Question how Rapidshare download manager works

[jimdagys]

I use a small tool (see screenshot) to download large files that are split into many rar file pieces (in this case 14 pieces).
Using this tool is an easy 1 click solution to download all the pieces (instead of having to click and wait to get each piece).
My question is: How does this tool work? I don't understand how the tool can repeatedly contact Rapidshare behind the scene ( I never see a browser pop up, as I would have to do if downloading each file from Rapidshare manually). Also, there is never a download dialogue box, as there would be if I downloaded from Rapidshare in the regular way.
It seems to me that this technology certainly could be used to have computer users unknowingly contact virus sites.

[jagabo]

My question is: How does this tool work? I don't understand how the tool can repeatedly contact Rapidshare behind the scene ( I never see a browser pop up, as I would have to do if downloading each file from Rapidshare manually). Also, there is never a download dialogue box, as there would be if I downloaded from Rapidshare in the regular way.

Any software can do anything it wants.

It seems to me that this technology certainly could be used to have computer users unknowingly contact virus sites.

Do you trust Rapidshare?

[AlanHK]

My question is: How does this tool work? I don't understand how the tool can repeatedly contact Rapidshare behind the scene ( I never see a browser pop up, as I would have to do if downloading each file from Rapidshare manually). Also, there is never a download dialogue box, as there would be if I downloaded from Rapidshare in the regular way.

It doesn't use your browser, it is a bot that pretends to be a browser to various sites, gets the pages and files you request it to itself.

There are plenty of apps that do this.
E.g., curl

It seems to me that this technology certainly could be used to have computer users unknowingly contact virus sites.

Yes. As can any other software you run.