Originally published July 18 2005
File sharers at risk for identity theft
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Internet users who go through what's called "Peer to Peer" file sharing networks to download music are a risk of having identities stolen. While on the network, hackers can steal personal information on your computer and post it.
It's another identity theft warning, this time for Internet users who go through what's called "Peer to Peer" file sharing networks to download music.
It was a little disturbing," said Scott Higginbotham.
When he got a phone call from a woman all the way in Minnesota this week, he was shocked to find out what she knew about him.
"She told me that well I'm trying to contact this person because their tax information is on the Internet," said Higginbotham.
Limewire is a "P2P," or peer to peer file sharing program, that lets users share information, like music, with other users around the globe, which is exactly what Higginbotham had been doing.
He said, "I just thought it was like to make music and cds and to download music."
A lot of people think they're just sharing music online when they download websites like limewire.com, but what's really happening is your personal information could become public information.
Hackers could have a field day with websites like limewire and kazaa because if you have personal information in a shared folder, anyone else using the same P2P software, believe it or not, has access to it.
It spells out a number of security concerns and explains methods of avoiding becoming a victim of identity theft.
Fortunately for Higginbotham, a good samaritan in Minnesota saved him from a lot of trouble down the road.
Computer experts say you're never going to be 100 percent safe from identity theft, but there are a few steps you can take to protect yourself the best you can.
First of all you should install up-to-date anti-virus software on your computer.
Firewalls are also a good deterrent with hackers.
Experts say never hook your computer up directly to a cable modem or DSL.
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