Article
Are You Putting Your Computer At Risk Right Now?
Teens download music online, legally and illegally. And a growing number of teens are downloading videos and software too. Many are using peer-to-peer networks and software applications to do this. Limewire is an example of a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. It opens up a section of your computer to a section of someone else’s using software Limewire provides. (You might think you are downloading or sharing on Limewire’s site, but you’re not. They just hook you up to a gigantic network of other computers just like yours.)
There are very serious security risks associated with P2P file sharing. These risks include downloading files infected with malicious code, such as viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware and unwanted adware, opening your files to view by others, sharing malicious code and making your computer more vulnerable to illegal hacking and other intrusions.
Trojan horses and other hacking programs, spyware and adware are growing problems on P2P networks as well. Many of the P2P programs include their own spyware and adware that they wrap up with the software download. Many tell you that they are doing this in their terms of service, license or privacy policies. But since hardly anyone reads those disclosures before clicking “I accept” they have no idea they have consented to the installation of spyware and adware programs. Some files, disguised as MP3 files or other downloads, are really Trojan horse applications.
How much information is being leaked by P2P file sharing programs?
Many teens (and adults) accidentally share their own private files on these networks. These include e-mail files and parents’ credit card and financial information, even tax returns. In a survey of 120 users conducted by WiredSafety, only 8 understood what files were subject to sharing. This tells us that we need to be sure that we know what files we are sharing on P2P networks and how not to make mistakes when we choose which files to share.