2008 Woodie Awards
Problems persist for those who download
Half of students who download music or file share have experienced problems
Danielle Morris
Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: News
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New research shows more than half of students who download unlicensed software, illegal music and file share experience virus and spyware problems, according to a survey by Ipsos Public Affairs.
In some cases, students have suffered from hard drive crashes and the loss of their document files.
"This is significant. Over 50 percent of students are experiencing virus and software problems, another 20 percent hard drive crashes and another nearly 20 percent are experiencing file losses," said vice president of public affairs at Business Software Alliance, Diane Smiroldo.
Smiroldo also said, "Students need to realize how vulnerable they are to viruses and spyware from illegally downloading unlicensed software and copyrighted material."
A few students surveyed on campus who download unlicensed software said they have yet to experience any problems.
However, downloads that involve file sharing or peer-to-peer (P2P) applications put a computer's security at serious risk.
Peer-to-peer applications allow attackers to access personal information, and although some may be safe, they are nearly impossible to identify, according to the National Cyber Alert System (NCAS).
The NCAS also warns against file sharing, because P2P applications can include pirated software such as copyrighted material or pornography, which would make you unknowingly eligible for fines or further prosecution.
Smiroldo also said not all legal downloads are necessarily safe either. She recommends making sure all downloads are protected by copyright.
According to Smiroldo, it is not necessarily a guarantee where to go.
"It is important to stay as safe and legal as you can," she said.
Although downloads do increase the risk of experiencing a plethora of computer problems there are some things that can help prevent from experiencing a computer crash.
Anti-virus software is a must in effectively preventing a computer from a crash. It is not only important to have this software, but also to maintain it.
In some cases, students have suffered from hard drive crashes and the loss of their document files.
"This is significant. Over 50 percent of students are experiencing virus and software problems, another 20 percent hard drive crashes and another nearly 20 percent are experiencing file losses," said vice president of public affairs at Business Software Alliance, Diane Smiroldo.
Smiroldo also said, "Students need to realize how vulnerable they are to viruses and spyware from illegally downloading unlicensed software and copyrighted material."
A few students surveyed on campus who download unlicensed software said they have yet to experience any problems.
However, downloads that involve file sharing or peer-to-peer (P2P) applications put a computer's security at serious risk.
Peer-to-peer applications allow attackers to access personal information, and although some may be safe, they are nearly impossible to identify, according to the National Cyber Alert System (NCAS).
The NCAS also warns against file sharing, because P2P applications can include pirated software such as copyrighted material or pornography, which would make you unknowingly eligible for fines or further prosecution.
Smiroldo also said not all legal downloads are necessarily safe either. She recommends making sure all downloads are protected by copyright.
According to Smiroldo, it is not necessarily a guarantee where to go.
"It is important to stay as safe and legal as you can," she said.
Although downloads do increase the risk of experiencing a plethora of computer problems there are some things that can help prevent from experiencing a computer crash.
Anti-virus software is a must in effectively preventing a computer from a crash. It is not only important to have this software, but also to maintain it.