Is Kazaa Illegal to Use?

Kazaa is a peer to peer file sharing program.

Sharing files on the Internet is a growing trend. Programs such as Kazaa, Limewire and others allow users to share all types of files with each other. While this is an affordable way to obtain music, games and movies, using these programs can pose a great risk.

Copyright Laws

Using the Kazaa program itself is not illegal. What makes the program illegal is the content that you download. Popular music, games and other forms of software are usually copyrighted. Downloading and sharing these files without permission can lead to monetary fines and even jail time.

Personal Information At Risk

Hackers Use P2P programs to steal personal information.

Running these programs means that you are opening your computer for others to connect to. Hackers can use this invitation to place viruses and tracking software onto your system. These programs usually record all Internet activity and personal information and send it back to the hacker. This leaves you vulnerable to identity theft.

Unwanted Programs

Downloading files from a stranger opens the doors for other types of programs. Some files on P2P software are intentionally mislabeled to make them more appealing to the intended user. This can lead to being exposed to illegal material such as child pornography. There are also no parental controls on these types of programs, which means minors have access to material that may be too explicit for them to see.

References

• Kazaa: P2P Advisory