File Sharing & File Trading - Risks You Should Avoid
Most people who were following the news a few years back have heard of Napster, the music-trading network that was shut down as a result of legal action taken by the recording industry, and which has since been resurrected as a legal music download site.
Not everyone knows that Napster spawned a host of similar programs such as Kazaa, Grokster, and Limewire, and more (many which have come and gone) most of which allow people to trade not just audio files, but virtually any type of file over the internet.
There are now millions of people in the United States alone who are running file trading software on their computers; many do not know the risks involved. These programs usually share virtually every type of file — including everything from compressed .zip or .sit files, to Word and Excel documents, photos and video, and even financial data.
Right now there are thousands if not millions of computers — maybe even yours — sharing personal documents with the world without the owner of the computer realizing it. Maybe because your child or grandchild has installed the software without telling you, or because the software is set up to share the entire hard drive, or both.
This is the electronic equivalent to going to a public place with a box full of personal letters, photos, bank statements, and other private information, dumping it on the ground, and walking away. Except anyone in the world could see your files, not just your neighbors.
Aside from the risk of exposing personal information to strangers, there is also the risk of downloading a virus or a backdoor program which allows people to take control of your computer remotely, and the problem of adware and spyware.
Adware and spyware are malicious programs which come with virtually every file trading program. They slow your computer down while spying on you and filling your computer screen with popup ads for everything from refinancing your home, to Viagara, to pornography, problems I cover in more detail in other articles.
It's also important to realize that most file trading, especially if it involves downloading music, movies, or computer programs, is illegal. To be more specific, file trading or file sharing is not illegal in of itself, but the things that are being shared are being shared illegally because it breaks copyright laws.
I'm not making a judgment of whether this is right or wrong -- that's none of my business -- but if you or someone you know is doing this, the recording industry is still suing people like crazy for illegally downloading music and other copyrighted material.
There are legal alternatives to file trading programs such as Apple's iTunes Music Store (Mac and Windows compatible). It does cost money to buy music online, but it is often cheaper than buying CDs at a store, and a lot cheaper than being sued for thousands, or having someone steal your identity by downloading financial documents off your computer.
Just something to think about.�
Not everyone knows that Napster spawned a host of similar programs such as Kazaa, Grokster, and Limewire, and more (many which have come and gone) most of which allow people to trade not just audio files, but virtually any type of file over the internet.
There are now millions of people in the United States alone who are running file trading software on their computers; many do not know the risks involved. These programs usually share virtually every type of file — including everything from compressed .zip or .sit files, to Word and Excel documents, photos and video, and even financial data.
Right now there are thousands if not millions of computers — maybe even yours — sharing personal documents with the world without the owner of the computer realizing it. Maybe because your child or grandchild has installed the software without telling you, or because the software is set up to share the entire hard drive, or both.
This is the electronic equivalent to going to a public place with a box full of personal letters, photos, bank statements, and other private information, dumping it on the ground, and walking away. Except anyone in the world could see your files, not just your neighbors.
Aside from the risk of exposing personal information to strangers, there is also the risk of downloading a virus or a backdoor program which allows people to take control of your computer remotely, and the problem of adware and spyware.
Adware and spyware are malicious programs which come with virtually every file trading program. They slow your computer down while spying on you and filling your computer screen with popup ads for everything from refinancing your home, to Viagara, to pornography, problems I cover in more detail in other articles.
It's also important to realize that most file trading, especially if it involves downloading music, movies, or computer programs, is illegal. To be more specific, file trading or file sharing is not illegal in of itself, but the things that are being shared are being shared illegally because it breaks copyright laws.
I'm not making a judgment of whether this is right or wrong -- that's none of my business -- but if you or someone you know is doing this, the recording industry is still suing people like crazy for illegally downloading music and other copyrighted material.
There are legal alternatives to file trading programs such as Apple's iTunes Music Store (Mac and Windows compatible). It does cost money to buy music online, but it is often cheaper than buying CDs at a store, and a lot cheaper than being sued for thousands, or having someone steal your identity by downloading financial documents off your computer.
Just something to think about.�
Labels: computer jargon, computer lessons, computer security, computer terminology, file sharing, file trading, p2p
posted by Worth Godwin at
7:59 PM
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