Using file-sharing software like KaZaA involves risks – and the music and movie industries will be only too pleased to hear the FTC warnings consumers about the increased risk of exposure to viruses, of unwittingly sharing private files with others, and of becoming "mired in legal issues" if downloading copyright-protected material.
The Recording Industry Association of America made clear late last month that it plans to sue thousands of individual users of file-sharing services. According to Nielsen//NetRatings, this had an almost immediate effect on the level of file-sharing activity: KaAaA and Morpheus, two of the most popular file-swapping services, had 15% fewer users during the week ending 6th July, according to the analysts.
The FTC also called for parents to discuss file-sharing with their families, to ensure that everybody is aware of the risks involved – because, it cautions, users "may unwittingly download pornography labelled as something else."
The FTC also warned consumers about spyware.
Spyware is the term for software that is used to collect information about an individual or organisation without their knowledge. It can be deposited as an e-mail attachment or as a download.
According to the FTC:
"Spyware monitors a user's browsing habits and then sends that data to third parties. Sometimes the user gets ads based on the information that the spyware has collected and disseminated. Spyware can be difficult to detect and remove. Before you use any file-sharing program, you may want to buy software that can prevent the downloading of spyware or help detect it on your hard drive."
In June this year AOL subsidiary Netscape Communications agreed to pay $100,000 and delete user data under a settlement over a feature of the company's browser that New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer considered to be spyware.
The browser had a function which tracked web pages accessed by users, albeit there was no suggestion that Netscape used, or intended to use, the information gathered.
A bill was recently introduced into Congress that requires companies to inform PC users of their intent to install spyware, and to obtain permission before loading it onto a computer.
The FTC consumer alert is available here.