Ahh … file sharing. It’s how you get all the free music and movies you want, if you don’t mind the FBI or the MPAA knocking on your door every once in a while. Although file sharing has lost much of its luster due to lawsuits, viruses and other negative things associated with it, it is still alive and well in many households and businesses.
Not only do some adults and the vast majority of teens love file sharing, so do – you got it – identity thieves. If you have file sharing software on your machine, or your child has it on his or hers, the thieves could get access to anything on the hard drive. This includes not only music, movies and pictures but stuff that they really want to see:
*Tax files
*Passwords
*Social Security Numbers
*Credit card statements
*Bank account numbers
*Confidential business information
It’s not hard for them to do either. All they have to do is type in a couple of key words and what’s yours can be theirs too. I’m all about sharing what you have with others, but there has to be a “within reason†clause. So be careful what you share.
Another way thieves gain access is by posting malware for you to download under the guise of your favorite song or movie. The downloaded “movie†then goes to work on your computer allowing the identity thief to tap in to all your information. You can protect yourself with internet security software from Norton, McAfee or whoever but keep in mind these are not full proof.
The easiest way to keep thieves out of your personal files is to remove all of the file sharing software from your machine and any others on your home network. As soon as you’ve removed it by physically uninstalling it via the add/remove programs screen turn off your computer. Don’t just let it restart itself or the software may not be removed properly.
Sadly, even if you do this correctly you may still be the victim of a file sharing thief. Even if you don’t have file sharing at home, someone could have it installed at the office. This doesn’t have to be your office either, just one that has some of your personal information.
It could be the office of a hospital where you’ve sought medical care or a law firm you visited for a consultation. It could be at a bank you use or a school you attend. If even one employee decides he or she would like to spend some time on Limewire, this could be all the thieves need to get access, especially if it is a higher level employee.
So basically you have two choices, you can either stop going to doctors, banks, schools or any business that takes credit cards or you can begin looking out for yourself further. Check your credit reports at all three bureaus at least once a year, look into some identity theft protection services and never give out personal information unless it is 100% required. If your hairdresser says he needs your Social Security number for the customer database, please take the time to ask why. Same with the video rental retailer. There is no reason to put one on your Blockbuster account.
If you don’t want to do any of these things, you probably wouldn’t be reading this article. But, hey, if you are, please at least lay off of the file sharing. You can still get free movies and music at the library.