Hi guys!! I recently found out that it is possible to become a victim of identity theft if you share files on your computer using P2P programs like Limewire. My question is, do you have to actually share files with others for this to happen, or can this happen by just downloading files to your computer using Limewire. I have never shared files with others, but for future reference can I be a victim of spyware or identity theft if I decide to just download and not share? Thanks in advance for help from anyone!!

Did You know that you can become a victim of I.D. Theft a million different ways??
Are you going to stop sending mail??
Are you going to stop shopping??
Are you going to stop using your computer??
I think it's a Ploy by the MIAA and the MPAA to deter the use of P2P and Torrents.

Until you can come up with some Hard Evidence of this happening, It's up to You, weather You want to use such Programs.

I'm calling Shenanigans.

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I Don't Suffer From Insanity, I Enjoy Every Minute of it

Thanks Remoc what you said is true, but it still doesn't answer my question. I just would like to know if I'm susceptible to I.D. theft by downloading versus sharing. Why volunteer for this to happen if you can flat out avoid it. All id theft is bad, but when using a computer it can be extremely hard to trace b/c so many use computers-even worse, make a living out of finding new ways to steal online. Worrying about private info being compromised through mail, shopping is bad enough, but even worse if it's affecting you by several people-several miles away-at once. Again, thanks for the response--it does make sense!

IThelp07

You pose an interesting question which I will try to answer to your satisfaction but I have to say that what I am about to write is based on my own experience.

But first, as Remoc quite rightly said that there are many ways to have your identity stolen, one Saturday, a couple of years ago, my CC company phoned me and asked if I was trying to use my credit card to buy a £500 TV. I replied that I was not, as I have a TV already. My CC company cancelled the transaction. About a month later they contacted me again saying somebody in Leeds (I live in London) was trying to use my credit card to by £500 worth of ladies clothes. My CC company then cancelled the transaction and the CC card and, of course, sent me a new card.

Now to your query, sharing files cannot compromise your PC or identity in any way unless you have inadvertently shared the folder/directory you keep your personal documents in.

The only known way to steal your identity is if someone has planted a "Keylogger" on your PC. Keyloggers are usually planted via a Trojan/Virus or hidden in some sort of popular file. Again, I have had a keylogger planted on my PC but my anti-spyware apps found and deleted it. As you may know, keyloggers are there to steal your passwords, especially if you do Internet Banking, and send them onto hackers (usually working for criminals).

Therefore, to give you a definite answer, if you have Limewire or any other P2P app set up properly then your identity is under no threat. However, this does not negate your responsibility to insure that you have an AV, anti-spyware, firewall and probably an anti fly-by installer apps protecting your PC.

One thing you might want to consider, I have an external USB HD set up with my LW's "Shared" and "Incomplete" folders, that way my C:\ drive, with my personal documents, remains unshared and unused by LW.



UK Bob

Thank you ukbobboy01, this answers my question. I guess it's all about using common sense (don't share files through your C drive)!! Just wanted to be sure, b/c not long after downolading a P2P program I started getting spyware alerts eventhough I had anti-virus protection and a firewall! Thanks ur Super !!

hi i am new here.i need to know how to upload files?(music,photos,documents...)????
plz bye