When a File-sharing Program Shares Too Much

September 3rd, 2009

Computer Security Peer-to-peer file-sharing programs are best known for their use in illegally distributing copyrighted music and video files. With some of these programs you host the shared files on your computer, and other users can search your computer for a particular file. This is a significant security issue. Some people have not configured the file-sharing program correctly and are unintentionally sharing private information. And in certain cases, a child installs the program on the family computer without the parents’ knowledge. The first linked article discusses how a man used Limewire to perform identity theft, and the second is about private photos taken from other users’ computers and posted on the internet.