Spring Break
Downloading P2P networks risks identity theft
Tyler Larson
Issue date: 10/29/07 Section: News
For many people downloading applications on the Internet that include peer-to-peer networks such as Limewire or Kazaa, the main focus has always centered around the prospect of copyright infringement.
Unfortunately, for people who use these P2P networks, there is an emerging threat just as dangerous and just as real.
"When you download a peer-to-peer program on your computer, it shares everything you intended to share and actually, about everything you didn't intend to be shared," Eugene Spafford, director of the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security, said.
What many P2P users do not realize is that just the simple downloading of the program makes all the information on your hard drive accessible through the network.
"There is so much vital information saved on your computer from doing your taxes, paying bills online or just sending a simple e-mail," Spafford said.
For an identity thief, the only issue is knowing how to go online through these P2P networks and take the information you want.
"We've created a culture and an expectation that you just install the software and you never bother to read that license that comes up or the warnings that come up," Spafford said.
For college students, the threat of computer invasion through P2P networks is just as real.
"While many college students don't do their taxes or pay bills online, they do save their homework and papers online," Spafford said.
"All it takes is one bad person on campus to decide they need a paper in a class and don't feel like doing it," Spafford added.
According to the Federal Trade Commission's data, more than 60 million Americans currently have downloaded and used P2P services, many of which are college students.
"College campuses are an easy target for these thieves because there are so many people using these applications in such a centralized area," Spafford said.
For many students, the threat of their information being stolen from their computers through a simple software download is a frightening one.
"There are so many people across the campus that have downloaded Limewire, it's really unbelievable," Joe Kelly, a sophomore business administration major, said.
"I don't think all of those people realize the risks their taking by downloading those programs," Kelly added.
Unfortunately, for people who use these P2P networks, there is an emerging threat just as dangerous and just as real.
"When you download a peer-to-peer program on your computer, it shares everything you intended to share and actually, about everything you didn't intend to be shared," Eugene Spafford, director of the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security, said.
What many P2P users do not realize is that just the simple downloading of the program makes all the information on your hard drive accessible through the network.
"There is so much vital information saved on your computer from doing your taxes, paying bills online or just sending a simple e-mail," Spafford said.
For an identity thief, the only issue is knowing how to go online through these P2P networks and take the information you want.
"We've created a culture and an expectation that you just install the software and you never bother to read that license that comes up or the warnings that come up," Spafford said.
For college students, the threat of computer invasion through P2P networks is just as real.
"While many college students don't do their taxes or pay bills online, they do save their homework and papers online," Spafford said.
"All it takes is one bad person on campus to decide they need a paper in a class and don't feel like doing it," Spafford added.
According to the Federal Trade Commission's data, more than 60 million Americans currently have downloaded and used P2P services, many of which are college students.
"College campuses are an easy target for these thieves because there are so many people using these applications in such a centralized area," Spafford said.
For many students, the threat of their information being stolen from their computers through a simple software download is a frightening one.
"There are so many people across the campus that have downloaded Limewire, it's really unbelievable," Joe Kelly, a sophomore business administration major, said.
"I don't think all of those people realize the risks their taking by downloading those programs," Kelly added.
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