- Security Home
- Password Security
- Anti-Virus
- Social Networking
- Recommended Software
- General Safe Computing tips
- Software Updates
- File Sharing
Protect Yourself
Using a p2p application on your computer is a security risk. The files
you download come from unknown and unsecured sources. Many of the files
available for download contain viruses or trojans that allow hackers
access to your computer and the University network. Many P2P
applications also install spyware on your computer. Spyware collects
personal data about your Web surfing and other habits and sends that
information to advertisers or other interested third parties. Spyware
can cause pop up ads and may remain on your computer even after the p2p
application is removed.
The only way to ensure P2P apps never cause any
problems on your computer is to not install them in the first place.
If you are running a P2P program you may want to consider removing it
from your computer. If you choose not to remove the application, follow
the steps below to help protect yourself.
Configure Your Peer-to-Peer Application
When not using your p2p application, be sure it is turned off. Several
p2p applications continue to run in the background even after you
attempt to close them. The program is still running if its icon is
displayed on the taskbar in the lower right hand corner of your screen.
Do not set up your p2p application to start automatically when your
system starts. You may have done this when you installed the
application. With this configuration you may not realize your p2p
application is running and using system and network resources.
Disable Sharing
In order to disable sharing in p2p applications, please click on the appropriate link below. Some applications do not give you the option to disable sharing, for these programs uninstallation instructions are provided.
Ares/Ares Lite | BearShare/iMesh | BitTorrent | Blubster Gnucleus | Kazaa | Kazaa Lite LimeWire | Morpheus | WinMX
Run Anti-Virus Software
Although antivirus software cannot completely protect your computer from malicious files, it is by far your best protection. Always run antivirus software on your computer. The University provides Symantec Antivirus software to students that live on campus. Visit: www.wku.edu/it/software
