By Stephanie Colokathis (Contributed)

Many people turn to peer to peer file sharing sites to get premium music, software, and other digital files without having to put out hard earned cash. There are significant dangers involved with using LimeWire and BitTorrent. Over 90% of the computers I work on for virus removal have either LimeWire or BitTorrent installed.

Sometimes people think that if they are running an Anti Virus program they are protected. Anti Virus programs are not a silver bullet. If you voluntarily go to a peer to peer file sharing site and voluntarily download files it is likely you are clicking “OK”, “SAVE”, “INSTALL”, “FINISH”, and all that good stuff. You better believe you are over-riding anything your Anti Virus program can do to protect you.

These peer to peer file sharing websites are extremely dangerous to your online security and will corrupt your computer. All sorts of Malware, Viruses, Trojans, and Spyware are given the opportunity to enter your computer system through these file sharing sites. Once they get in your system they immediately go to work to disable your Anti Virus protection software.

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Here are 3 very scary consequences to consider:

1. When using a peer to peer file sharing network, you are at a major risk of downloading and installing malware that gives another user somewhere in the world access to your computer files. These people will look for things such as tax return documents, bank statements, and even student financial aid applications. They will look for and steal any documents or files that contain critical information about you. Now, what do you think will be done with that information? Want something creepier to think about? This type of security problem may not be limited to one weirdo farming your computer files. Because you have this malware installed it’s as if you are holding a bright light out to cyber creeps to stop at your system and see what they can find. You think you are sleeping all nice and safe in your warm bed but really, you are being digitally violated.
2. Something else to think about is the legal implications of downloading intellectual property. It violates copyright laws. Look, there are plenty of open source programs to use to get things done. If someone put a lot of time and effort into creating something for entertainment value or productivity purposes and their business model was to be compensated for it then, yes they should be paid for their talent.
   When you download music and software from through these file sharing applications it is often a violation of copyright laws. You can be charged with committing a crime. And, yes, it can be costly to fight it in court. It can be costly if you are fined. It can be costly to your desire for freedom and respect in your community.
3. The most common consequence to consider here is the fact that one day, your computer will become completely disabled due to these viruses that have been downloaded. So, not only do you have to pay to have it restored but you have to pay for data recovery services.

So, is it really worth it to use file sharing applications such as LimeWire, BitTorrent, and FrostWire? Personally, I think it is much too risky. I have seen far too many machines corrupted by engaging in file sharing. The vast majority of files downloaded from through these sites contain malicious code design to exploit your computer system.

Stephanie Colokathis enjoys her work at http://www.DelawarePCtech.com. Throughout the variety of Delaware computer repairs completed for many local customers one thing underlies the vast majority of problems; viruses and lack of security updates. She believes that just because it looks shiny and new does not mean that it is clean!

Learn how to practice safe computing. http://www.DelawarePCtech.com/store/memberships/