By now, you should know that copying and distributing any copyrighted material is illegal and is called piracy. You should also know that having any of these pirated materials in your possession is also illegal. While there are some differences in the types of piracy, the end of the line is that it is illegal and you could be charged and even face jail time for downloading, burning, copying, selling or owning pirated materials.

Pirated materials are rife throughout the world, but especially in the Far East and Eastern Europe. It is easy to get a hold of these pirated versions of popular (and expensive) software; however, the costs can be many.

Not only may you find yourself with hefty fines for using and owning pirated material, you may also have problems with your computer. Many pirated software packages come complete with viruses that can tear down the foundation of your computer. The cost to repair damages done by some viruses can be incredible - rendering your computer useless in some cases and much data lost.

Internet piracy also affects the base cost of the product. The more that people steal the programs, the higher the cost of the programs in retail - companies are out to make a profit and if the guy down the street sells pirated versions of software, the company has to increase their price.

There are several types of software piracy, and these include:

End-user: a user copies software without the appropriate license. This can be as easy as purchasing one copy of software and using it on multiple computers in a business or home setting.

Pre-installed software: a manufacturer uses one copy of software and uses it on more than one computer that they are selling. Watch out when you purchase a new computer that the software comes with the appropriate license documentation stating that the software you have is licensed properly.

Internet: downloading copies of software through the Internet. If you are downloading material, ensure that the publisher of the software has authorized the distribution. There is quite a bit of “free ware” and “share ware” out there on the net, but be cautious that you aren’t downloading from a third party who does not have the right to offer these downloads.

Counterfeit: Illegal copies of software are made and then distributed in packages that are similar reproductions of the manufacturer packaging.

Online auction: There are several forms of online auction piracy, such as selling software that is labelled NFR (not for resale) or OEM software that is not authorized for sale by a third party.

Remember the rule of thumb: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you have found a “sale” on software that seems too good to be true, chances are its pirated and illegal.

Pirated copies of software, including downloaded movies, music and more, affect everyone. These illegal copies are not “showing the companies” - it’s making everything more expensive at the retail level and copying these discs will become increasingly more difficult, to the point where we may not be able to afford them at all in any way shape or form (and thusly, if pirated, no newer versions will be released).

Click on one of these links to check out sample legal documents drafted by Amlaw 200 Law Firms for Fortune 500 Companies.

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Today, there are many different viruses that can attack your computer - the Internet is rife with them, and they can be easily contracted if you don’t know how to avoid them. Let’s look at how you can protect your computer from viruses simply and easily.

Don’t download anything online if you aren’t sure of the source. Even for file sharing between companies, you should ensure that the sharing client has a stable system that is free from viruses before beginning to transfer files or open a direct link.

Don’t download email attachments if you’re not sure about the sender. The best way to start this is to turn off the automatic launching of your email client. It’s best to read your email online where you aren’t downloading anything, including graphics from emails, onto your computer. You shouldn’t open any attachments or allow graphics until you are sure the file is safe for your computer. Check the file attachment extension - if it’s a .pif or .scr extension on the end, chances are it is a virus. Watch out for .exe files, which are executable files as well, that extension is another common outlet for viruses.

Don’t just trust your anti virus program. They are only good for known viruses, but if you are attacked with an unknown virus then your computer could be at risk. Make sure that you update your antivirus often to keep abreast of new viruses and protected against them. However, if you aren’t sure if something is a virus or not, scan it anyway - it’s worth the extra time to check the file before opening it on your computer. Use a quality anti-spyware program to help rid your computer of programs that send personal data to the Internet that could potentially be opening holes in your system that you are unaware of.

Be aware of your settings. Set up your computer so that it doesn’t launch files, download updates, do security checks, load HTML pages or save cookies without your permission for each instance.

Install a firewall on your computer and on your LAN. If you don’t have one, switch operating systems to the most recent which will come with a built in fire wall. Also include a hardware firewall on your computer as well - a router that is easy to set up and helps to protect your computer.

Take some time to learn about how viruses and worms can attack your computer. When you are armed with knowledge, you can protect your computer even further. A simple search on the Internet for information on how viruses work will result in enough information to give you a basic understanding.

Watch the kids on the Internet. Don’t let them utilize it carte blanche - this can open up holes in your computer as kids have a tendency to click on advertisements without thinking about the ramifications of clicking “ok” on a webpage.

Protecting your computer is something that only you can do - no one else is going to do it for you. It’s important to arm yourself with knowledge to protect your computer on your own to ensure that your computer is as solidly protected as possible.

Click on one of these links to check out sample legal documents drafted by Amlaw 200 Law Firms for Fortune 500 Companies.

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