Denver law-enforcement officials are warning people who use file-sharing software, principally LimeWire, to be very cautious for a computer security breach that could put their personal data into the wrong hands.
During an identity theft investigation that led to a local apartment, Denver police found personal and financial information from about 75 individual and business accounts located across the country. The information included tax records, bank account information, online bill-paying records and other data.
The Denver District Attorney's Office, in a press release, said the information "appears to have been stolen directly from computers that were using LimeWire." The office said apparently the hackers were able to access "every file, every document" from computers anywhere in the country.
"The investigation is continuing, and we are urging people who use LimeWire or other file-sharing software to ensure that their computer security is up to date, including adequate firewall security, antivirus software and other measures," a statement from the DA's office says.
The office suggests that people consider deleting file-sharing software from their computers and have professional check their computers.
The Federal Trade Commission has published a consumer alert about file sharing at www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/sharealrt.htm.
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