stealing personal info from limewire

[computeruler]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21652542/
be carful all you limewire users!

SEATTLE - A Seattle man charged with using online file-sharing programs such as Limewire to commit identity theft pleaded guilty Monday in federal court.

Gregory Kopiloff, 35, pleaded guilty to one count each of mail fraud, accessing a protected computer without authorization to further fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

As part of a plea agreement, another count of aggravated identity theft was dropped.

Kopiloff acknowledged using file-sharing programs to invade victims' computers to get access to their personal information in tax returns, credit reports, bank statements and student financial aid applications. He then used that information to open credit lines and shop online.

Kopiloff admitted using the personal information of more than 50 people to fraudulently purchase and resell more than $73,000 in merchandise.

Although people have been prosecuted for using networks to illegally share copyright music, movies and software, the Justice Department, after Kopiloff's September arrest, called this its first case against someone accused of using file-sharing to commit identity theft.

According to court documents, Kopiloff used peer to peer file-sharing programs, which are most commonly known for their use in replicating copyright protected music and videos.

Using programs such as Limewire, he could search the computers of others who were part of the file-sharing "network" for tax returns and credit reports that had been stored electronically.

He also obtained personal information by more old-fashioned methods, such as stealing mail or taking records from trash cans, the U.S. attorney's office said.

Kopiloff's sentencing was scheduled for Jan. 28 before U.S. District Judge James L. Robart. Mail Fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Accessing a protected computer carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Aggravated identity theft carries a two-year prison sentence, to be served consecutive with the prison time imposed for the underlying conviction.

[Geek-9pm]

So, if you suspect that there still might be a few criminals out there using the internet, here is what you should do:
1. Avoid Llimewire. Bit Torrent and other file shares.
2. Avoid forums where you personal information is available. Like Face Place.
3. Tran off your computer when you are not using it. And your wireless router.

[computeruler]

How do you tran off your computer 

[Geek-9pm]

How do you tran off your computer  Shocked Roll Eyes

Inside joke.

Code: [Select]

Tran the alias of a computer programmer
who was a member of the American demoscene
group Renaissance
Here is a video for laymen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO0kRE5OTZI

[computeruler]

ROFL! I... love.... mother!
HAHA i love the part with microsoft sam too
ROFL that was so funny

[Geek-9pm]

Yesh, the poor Kid posted on Face Mat web site and called
himself Dr. Tran  as a joke amd lost his privacy!

It could happen to YOU!

..if you post private information on any web site.

[computeruler]

But limewire doesnt have anything to do with posting your private info

[Geek-9pm]

But limewire doesnt have anything to do
with posting your private info

And leaving the keys in the car
has nothing to do with auto theft.
Of course, that does not justify or excuse auto-theft.

When you use lime wire, or any current P2P,  it is the same as giving people use of your computer and all the information they can hack from it. Of course, that does not justify hacking somebody's computer.

Read the article over again. And read the terms of use of web sites that accept information from you for storage on their systems. They distance themselves from any responsibility. It is as if they  know something bad will happen.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21652542/

[evilfantasy]

What do you think "Shared Folder" means...

[computeruler]

So wait he got it just by searching things and it was on their computer?

[evilfantasy]

"File sharing." It takes two or more computers to do it. Peer to Peer can't be done without more than one peer "communicating" with one another. These are things people don't realize when they host their files to be shared. Someone with the knowledge can exploit a badly configured peer and see/steal everything on their computer. Not to mention the trojans/keyloggers that may be injected into the download.

LINK

P2P programs form a direct conduit onto your computer, their security measures are easily circumvented, and Malware writers are increasingly exploiting them to spread their wares onto your computer. Further to that, if your P2P program is not configured correctly you may be sharing more files than you realise. There have been cases where people's Passwords, Address Books and other personal, private, and financial details have been exposed to the file sharing network by a badly configured program.

This article from InfoWorld illustrates the dangers of a poorly configured P2P program.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/09/06/Seattle-man-arrested-for-p-to-p-ID-theft_1.html

When you use them you are downloading software from an unknown source directly onto your computer, bypassing your Firewall and Anti-Virus software. Many of these Downloads are targeted to carry infections.

[Geek-9pm]

... he got it just by searching things
and it was on their computer?

That is as much as they gave out to the media. A full disclosure would just entourage more criminals to do it. Thee is some kind of flaw, bug, glitch or quirk that he used to get into the entire computer, not just the share directory.
Or so it would seem.
At this point, we do not know how you can protect yourself.
Edit strike that.   Do  do not use Peer 2 Peer stuff. Or have an old stripped PC you use to do file sharing . Keep the big box off the network.

And talk to you credit card company about extra protection.

[Computer Hope Admin]

Happened to watch the Nightly news recently that was talking about this. For those interested, wasn't a bad piece.

[computeruler]

OMG! it shows you how to do it too  so easy to do!
stupid nigiera! and coulnt they get arrested?