File-sharing Risks
Peer-to-peer or file-sharing programs allow you to share
your files with others on the Internet -- and vice versa.
File-sharing is a new and interesting technology that shows
promise for future applications. However, just like you
shouldn't open email attachments from people you don't
trust, you should be wary about downloading files from them
as well. You never know what you or your kids may find on
the hard drives of random strangers on the Internet. [How
file-sharing works]
The best tip for file-sharing is to stop and think before
downloading files through these networks.
Other file-sharing Risks
Computer Security
Sharing files with people you don't trust is a matter of
hygiene -- and you should keep your computer as clean as
possible. Using file-sharing networks creates a risk that
viruses or other malignant code could be spread to your
computer over the network. Computer security experts are
starting to see viruses and malignant code (spyware) spread
through file-sharing services. Viruses may damage your
computer or interfere with your files; spyware may track
your online activities and send that information to third
parties. Spyware has been spotted in many places on
file-sharing networks -- including packaged with the
file-sharing clients themselves.
Kids' Access to Pornography
Many file-sharing programs allow children to access
inappropriate audio and video clips -- most of a sexually
explicit nature. Kids searching for popular music files may
sometimes inadvertently pull up sexually explicit files that
use the same keywords.
For older children, parents should be concerned about their
access to other people's video libraries that may contain
inappropriate videos. If you're concerned about these
things, make sure to check your computer for file-sharing
programs. Some parental-control tools on the market do not
restrict access to file-sharing technologies. Check the
GetNetWise
Tools for Families database to search for tools that
restrict access to file-sharing or peer-to-peer networks.
Copyright Law
Many things available on file-sharing networks, including
many movies, songs, and video games, are copyrighted by the
owner. That means the law protects the owner's right to
limit who copies and distributes their content. What does a
copyright mean for you? It means that downloading or sharing
copyrighted music, movies and software without the copyright
owner's permission could put you in serious legal trouble.
In those cases, you or your family could be violating
federal law and may be sued by the copyright owners or by
the government. So, make sure that you or your family does
not infringe copyrights while using file-sharing networks.
Be smart, and keep your file-sharing legal. Don't allow
users to upload your music files unless you're certain that
you have permission to do so. You can simply disable the
upload feature in your file-sharing program so that you
don't inadvertently share files without permission.
The University of Chicago's Web site has good
instructions for disabling the upload feature in most
file-sharing programs.
Privacy
If mis-configured, some file-sharing programs may expose
your entire hard drive to all other users of the
file-sharing software. If you keep sensitive information on
your computer, like your tax return information and online
bank account data, check to make sure that you are not
inadvertently making this available to thousands of
strangers on the Internet.
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