THE DANGERS OF RUNNING LIMEWIRE AND FROSTWIRE

            Several times a week computers are brought into our shop that are completely locked down with viruses, trojans and worms. Often we find Limewire, Frostwire or the equivalent running on these machines. The operators usually have no idea of the risk they are running by utilizing these programs. So, without further delay, here is a basic overview of the situation:

Programs like Limewire, Frostwire, BitTorrent, Bearshare, etc. are peer-to-peer file sharing systems. The idea behind P2P is to simplify the ability of a group of users to share files found on each individual computer. Each user has the ability to set security settings in their computer to allow sharing of only the files they choose. However, a lot of operators aren’t aware of these settings or how to access them and therefore, they leave the backdoor wide open. Many people think they are safe if they have current anti-virus software on their system, however, the greatest security system doesn’t provide much security if you are constantly giving your keys and passcode to every stranger you meet on the street.

The best approach to downloading music and media is to choose a reputable site that has permission to provide music and media to the public and purchase downloads from them. These providers are very careful to scan their products for viruses since they don’t want to be known for providing a defective product. Amazon has downloads for as cheap as 69 cents per song or 7.99 per album. Their newest offering is “Amazon Cloud.” By using their cloud service, you can keep all of your downloads in a safe and secure online site. This means that you can access your music from any computer or cell phone anywhere and at anytime. You also have greater protection from data loss and viruses.

PROTECTION FROM MALWARE ATTACKS

Malware attacks on computers increase year after year. We constantly have customers asking how to avoid viruses and we tell them to stay away from the internet. Of course, this isn’t a reasonable response. Young and old spend time each day on the internet and as long as there is an internet, there will be hackers.

An important step in protecting your system from malware is installing strong antivirus software. We like AVG and once we wipe out and reinstall a system, we usually put the free version of AVG on the desktop for the customer. Many of the leading antivirus software providers are able to offer high quality, free software to the home user because they sell larger programs to corporate users and small businesses.

Next, keep that antivirus software up to date. We suggest updating once a week. Most antivirus software programs will attempt a weekly update on their own. If you are on the computer when this update occurs, please find a stopping point and allow the program to proceed with the update. Too many people turn off the automatic updates and forget to manually start the updates later. With new forms of malware arriving daily, you need to let your software download the new information.

Also, if you allow others in your household to share your computer, please educate them on how to keep the system healthy. If you have a teenager that allows one of their friends to download Limewire on your system and then download some “free” music, you will find that you have a back door wide open on your system.

Finally, be careful in your internet travels. Try to get some information on a website before clicking on it. Google does a good job of letting users know if a particular website is safe or not. While it is not foolproof, it is a good place to start. Also, when friends send you forwarded emails (you know the type) don’t click on the attachments. That is usually similar to licking a shopping cart handle. Email attachments are the main vehicle for malware distribution. If you receive emails from people you don’t know and the subject lines don’t seem to make sense or look like an advertisement, get rid of them immediately. Do not even attempt to open them.

These few simple steps won’t keep you 100% safe from malware but they will save you time and money in the long run. If you also make a habit of backing up your data on a regular basis you should never loose any of that data. Using external hard drives and / or disks will protect your financial statements, documents, and media for years to come. It also protects them from being stolen from your desktop by hackers.