If you use TurboTax and Bearshare, consider this fair warning

[der_kluge]

This morning, I checked my Bearshare just to see what kind of activity was going on. As is typical, all of my available download streams were full, and most of the queue was full. In the queue, I noticed something curious - my 2004 tax return.tax file from TurboTax, which I had just completed last week.

I promptly aborted that entry, and went and noticed that, by default, Bearshare adds the "My documents" folder to the library, making it available for people to download stuff from there. Apparently, TurboTax feels like this is a good place for your saved files, thus making them available to anyone.

TurboTax files contain social security numbers, bank account routing numbers, and your complete financial history. Make sure those files are in a secure location.

 

[EricNoah]

eek!

 

[Hand of Evil]

Never trust programs, they are like public restrooms; you don't know what crap has gone into them, who stunk it up, and who has washed their hands.

 

[Dimwhit]

What is Bearshare? I use TT (got my return already, in fact), but I don't understand what Bearshare is and why TT would even be able to do that.

Crazy, though.

 

[reveal]

What is Bearshare? I use TT (got my return already, in fact), but I don't understand what Bearshare is and why TT would even be able to do that.

Crazy, though.

Bearshare is a file-sharing client in the same vein as eDonkey, Napster, Kazaa, et al.

 

[drothgery]

It's the filesharing program that's doing something stupid here; Windows programs are supposed to store user files in "My Documents" unless explicitly told to do otherwise. It's part of the Windows user interface guidelines. It's also the one folder that a non-admin user almost certainly can write to.

 

[Zappo]

Erk. That's unbelievably stupid on Bearshare's part. Why on Earth would someone want to share his entire My Documents folder? That's called My Documents for a reason!

 

[reveal]

They do this because a lot of computer users don't know that you can change where you store files. My Documents is the default for storing files, so most users use that folder. Bearshare, and their ilk, make it "easy" for you by not forcing you to "go through the hassle" of creating a bunch of folders. Just put them in to your familiar location and voila! Instant access!

It's not stupid. It's actually a really good feature on the programmer's part because it allows the user to use familiar things. Most programs try for that kind of familiarity.

 

[ghettognome]

You can set Bearshare so it only looks in one place for shareable files. I used it all the time until I got sick of all the spyware. I had one folder with all my MP3's in, and that was the ONLY folder Bearshare looked in for files.
I do use TT as well, like the program and how easy it is to use and understand, I will have to be careful about where I DL things thouh.

 

[der_kluge]

Right, Bearshare sets the my documents folder by default, and also turns "allow uploads" on by default. I don't agree with either decision, but I can understand it. If everyone that used Bearshare turned off uploads, there would be no Bearshare. It's kind of the point.

You can disable the spyware Bearshare comes with by installing a firewall like Sygate personal Firewall. Any program that wishes to access the internet from your computer has to go through the firewall. You can choose to allow them access to it or not. When you install Bearshare, allow Bearshare to access the internet, but all that other stuff, just say no to it. Bearshare will continue to work. It's an independent program of all the spyware.