Downloading programs, files, and music: What you should know
Details:
Two main ways that file downloads cause problems are:
- Files that make your computer do things that it shouldn't
- Files that should be paid for, but aren't
Turning your computer into a zombie
Your computer is yours, right? It belongs to you; you use it and see that it's maintained. But, click the wrong file and your computer becomes a "zombie," the slave of someone else. Zombies are used to spread viruses and other harmful data. If your computer becomes a zombie, it can be almost useless to you. Groups of zombies can cause networks to slow to a crawl or even completely stop working.
Tips
Viruses and worms can make your computer behave badly in other ways. For example, they can erase important files or send your personal data to people who sell it to others. Here are some tips to help you keep your computer safe:
- Install Norton AntiVirus and keep it up-to-date. As files arrive, Norton AntiVirus scans them for threats and alerts you if anything is found. Norton AntiVirus also checks email completely before passing it to you.
- Only open email attachments when you know who sent them and that they meant to send them. Even people that you know may have a computer that is a zombie! A zombie can email you and its owner will know nothing about it. This is true even though the owner's name and address show as the sender.
- Be very careful of files that end in .EXE, .COM, or .SVR. These are program files and safe email rarely has them.
- Download only programs that you know something about. Ideally, you'll want to know who made the program and what it actually does.
Free or not?
If a file on the Internet is meant to be sold and not just given away, you might think that the owner would prevent unwanted downloading.
But anyone can put a file on the Internet. In many cases the file can be downloaded for free and real owner will not know. By the time that the owner finds out, it's too late . . . the file was copied thousands or millions of times and is scattered across globe. But that doesn't make it legal to download.
Downloading copyrighted files and using them without the permission of the owner is subject to severe civil penalties, like fines and going to jail. So, how do you know if a file is legal to download?
Music
Music downloads are very popular. Originally, nearly all music downloads were illegal because no royalties were paid to the song owners. Now we have many options to legally buy music to download. But a lot of illegal sharing still happens.
Music is a pretty clear matter. If it's popular and you didn't pay something for the file, it's probably illegal. Many independent artists put out their music for free. But mainstream artists are nearly all under contract to record companies. Rarely are these files free. Unless you see specific information from the file's artist or owner that you can download and use it for free, you shouldn't.
Movies, pictures, and documents
Popular movies are similar to music in that they are almost always copyrighted and sold, not given away for free. Be wary of free copies of popular movies as it's likely that they are illegal.
Pictures and text documents may also be copyrighted, so be careful when downloading these files. Your best bet is to check for copyright notices. When you see them, abide by any "terms of use" that the owner states. If your don't see these terms, assume you have no rights to the file beyond "fair use."
Software
Finally, software piracy is still a big problem for companies large and small. Programs, like music and movies, are popular items to share. But again, many of the most popular titles are copyrighted and not meant for free use. Be wary of offers for free or "dirt-cheap" copies of familiar and popular programs. Chances are, they're illegal.
Document ID: 2005082512354639
Last Modified: 10/27/2005
Date Created: 08/25/2005
Product(s): TS_Gen
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