Limewire is a P2P file sharing program that’s been around for a long time. People use it to share files, and unfortunately most people use it to trade illegally copied music and movies (copyright violation).
When you install Limewire you need to turn some options off, otherwise it could also share your personal documents with everybody. Personal documents include Word files, your photos, etc.
If you use Limewire versions 4 or 5 click on this link and follow the instructions shown.
And if you’re wondering who would be silly enough to share private documents on a P2P network, here are some real life examples the article gives:
- An executive at a Manhattan production company accidentally leaked over 2,700 documents including the names, birth dates, and social security numbers of contractors, as well as scripts of episodes currently in pre-production
- A paralegal/transcription service leaked more than 5,000 documents including medical records and confidential attorney/client information
- A bookkeeper at a food service company leaked thousands of files including scanned driver’s licenses, social security, and insurance cards