The Dangers of File sharing

Before you jump on that free music/movie download bandwagon here are a few things to consider.

• When you install a file sharing program you are opening ports on your computer. Every port that is open on your computer represents an increased risk. A good hacker will use unsecured open ports to gain access to your computer.
  
  
• There are approximately 60 million people using file sharing software with an average 8.5 million logged on at any time. *as per NY Times Odds are some of them want to infect your computer.
  
  
• The files themselves are dangerous. If a hacker alters a file to contain a virus or other malicious code the user that downloads and installs it will infect their own computer. Typically, hackers will alter popular files. Of course, I am referring to the infamous "Trojan Horse."
  
  
• The RIAA is taking names ... So far 17,587 people sued. As per sharenomore.blogspot.com
  
  
• Hackers at large will know the ports that the various file sharing communities use.
  
  
• You are making yourself an easy target.
  
  
• If the file sharing program itself has a vulnerability, guess what ... They can hack in via the program itself.
  
  
• You installed it. You agreed to the terms and conditions ... If malware is installed, you have basically OK' d it. Now the hackers have legal authority to infect your system. Oh, by they way file sharing software is commonly used to steal copyrighted media this probably won't help your case much.
  
  
• If infected, you are not only vulnerable to just one hacker, but rather anybody that has the correct software to take advantage of the security breech. To elaborate; certain viruses install a client/server program on your machine, turning your machine into a client. This will give any hacker with the server portion to do a search and access your computer. Thinking globally, this means millions of hackers.
  
  
• Etc ... There's more. Things I haven't listed, hacks yet to be discovered, things I don't know about etc ...

If you are after free music, Try this: Get 7 days of Napster for FREE , it is only ten bucks a month, completely legal and you can access millions of songs. If you sign up at the fifteen dollar level then you can load songs on to your mp3 player and take them with you. I have been a subscriber for years and I love it. Music all the time!

If you are looking for movies, take a look at Netflix.com again, while this program is not free it is really nice to get movies in the mail. I don't lift a finger. Additionally I can watch movies directly over the internet. I have an LCD TV in which I can plug my laptop into. Then I can stream movies over the internet if I forgot to make sure I had one coming.

*A port allows communication with other computers. It is not a physical thing, but rather, something computers use to listen for other computers. When ports are open and unsecured or improperly secured, they are easy targets for hackers. The more ports that are open on your machine, the greater the chance it will be found by a random port scan.

Whether you like, or dislike technology, it is here to stay. It is up to you to lead, follow or get out of the way. If you are ready, but don't know where to begin, stay tuned, I will keep the info coming as time permits. If you are the motivated type, feel free to send me a message, either comment here, or shoot an email.

Good luck, God bless and keep the powder dry.