Sunday, October 10th, 2010
Millions of computer users share files on the web daily. Whether it is music, games, or software, file-sharing can provide people with access to a wealth of information. You simply download special software which connects your computer to an informal network of computers which are running the same software. At any time, millions of users could potentially be connected to each other through this software, sharing files. The software is usually free and easily accessible online.
Sounds great, right? Maybe, but make sure that you consider the trade-offs. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, warns that file-sharing can be very risky. For example, when you are connected to any file-sharing network, you may be unknowingly allowing others to copy some of your private files which you never intended to share, some of which could be confidential, such as financial spreadsheets or resumes. You may also unwittingly download material that is protected by copyright law and find yourself facing legal action. You may download a virus or facilitate a security breach. Or you may unwittingly download pornography, which is often labeled as something else on P2P networks to trick people into downloading it.
To secure the personal information stored on your computer, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission for Consumers) suggests that you:
* Set up the file-sharing software very carefully. If you don’t check the proper settings when you first install the software, you could accidentally open access not just to the files which you intended to share, but also to other information stored on your hard drive, such as your tax returns, emails, medical records, photos, or other personal documents.
* Be aware of spyware. Some file-sharing programs install other software known as spyware. Spyware discreetly monitors a user’s browsing habits and then sends that information onto third parties. Sometimes the user gets ads based on the information that the spyware has collected and disseminated. In some cases, Spyware can be very difficult to detect and remove. Before you use any file-sharing program, you may want to buy security software which can prevent the downloading of spyware or help detect it on your hard drive.
* Close your connection. In some instances, closing the file-sharing program window does not actually close your connection to the network. That allows file-sharing to continue and could increase your security risk. If you have a high-speed connection to the Internet, you usually stay connected to the Internet unless you turn off the computer or disconnect your Internet service, such as your router. These always on connections could allow others to copy your shared files at any time. What’s more, many file-sharing programs automatically launch every time you start up your computer. As a preventive measure, you may want to change the file-sharing program’s settings to prevent the file-sharing program from automatically opening.
* Use an effective anti-virus program and update it on a regular basis. Files which you download could easily contain a virus or other unwanted content. Use anti-virus software to help protect your computer from viruses you might pick up from other users through the file-sharing program. Not all anti-virus programs block files downloaded through file-sharing, so check your program’s capabilities and settings. In addition, avoid downloading files with extensions like .exe, .scr, .lnk, .bat, .vbs, .dll, .bin, and .cmd as these are usually malicious.
It’s a good idea to talk with your family about file-sharing. Parents may not be aware that their children have downloaded file-sharing software on the family computer and that they may have exchanged games, videos, music, pornography, or other material that may not be appropriate for them. Also, because other peoples’ files sometimes are mislabeled, kids unintentionally may download these files. In addition, children may not understand the security and other risks involved with file-sharing and may install the software incorrectly, giving anyone on the Internet access to the family’s private computer files.
Sounds great, right? Maybe, but make sure that you consider the trade-offs. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, warns that file-sharing can be very risky. For example, when you are connected to any file-sharing network, you may be unknowingly allowing others to copy some of your private files which you never intended to share, some of which could be confidential, such as financial spreadsheets or resumes. You may also unwittingly download material that is protected by copyright law and find yourself facing legal action. You may download a virus or facilitate a security breach. Or you may unwittingly download pornography, which is often labeled as something else on P2P networks to trick people into downloading it.
To secure the personal information stored on your computer, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission for Consumers) suggests that you:
* Set up the file-sharing software very carefully. If you don’t check the proper settings when you first install the software, you could accidentally open access not just to the files which you intended to share, but also to other information stored on your hard drive, such as your tax returns, emails, medical records, photos, or other personal documents.
* Be aware of spyware. Some file-sharing programs install other software known as spyware. Spyware discreetly monitors a user’s browsing habits and then sends that information onto third parties. Sometimes the user gets ads based on the information that the spyware has collected and disseminated. In some cases, Spyware can be very difficult to detect and remove. Before you use any file-sharing program, you may want to buy security software which can prevent the downloading of spyware or help detect it on your hard drive.
* Close your connection. In some instances, closing the file-sharing program window does not actually close your connection to the network. That allows file-sharing to continue and could increase your security risk. If you have a high-speed connection to the Internet, you usually stay connected to the Internet unless you turn off the computer or disconnect your Internet service, such as your router. These always on connections could allow others to copy your shared files at any time. What’s more, many file-sharing programs automatically launch every time you start up your computer. As a preventive measure, you may want to change the file-sharing program’s settings to prevent the file-sharing program from automatically opening.
* Use an effective anti-virus program and update it on a regular basis. Files which you download could easily contain a virus or other unwanted content. Use anti-virus software to help protect your computer from viruses you might pick up from other users through the file-sharing program. Not all anti-virus programs block files downloaded through file-sharing, so check your program’s capabilities and settings. In addition, avoid downloading files with extensions like .exe, .scr, .lnk, .bat, .vbs, .dll, .bin, and .cmd as these are usually malicious.
It’s a good idea to talk with your family about file-sharing. Parents may not be aware that their children have downloaded file-sharing software on the family computer and that they may have exchanged games, videos, music, pornography, or other material that may not be appropriate for them. Also, because other peoples’ files sometimes are mislabeled, kids unintentionally may download these files. In addition, children may not understand the security and other risks involved with file-sharing and may install the software incorrectly, giving anyone on the Internet access to the family’s private computer files.
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