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You might be breaking the law online and not even know it
If you’ve ever uploaded a video to YouTube, you know how fast it will be flagged if there’s even a hint of a copyrighted song playing in the background.
If you’re shaking your head, you’re not alone. There are many things you shouldn’t do online. Some are just plain dangerous. Tap or click for five silly mistakes putting your online privacy and security at risk.
Benign actions can put your info in the hands of clever criminals. Take your phone number. Tap or click to see why you must stop sharing your real phone number with anyone who asks.
Before diving into my list of illegal online activities, I must remind you: I’m not a lawyer. Use your best judgment.
Getting movies for free
This illegal activity shouldn’t be a surprise. Downloading a movie — or album, eBook, audiobook, or another piece of media — from a torrenting site is a no-go. Given how easy it is to stream about anything, you hear less about torrenting than in years past.
Still, people flock to download copies of newly released movies. Go to a torrenting site, hit download, and you’ll likely get a shaky, dubbed version of what you want to watch.
It could get worse. Watch the mail for a warning notice when your ISP detects you have downloaded copyright-protected content. They could cancel your service and alert the authorities if you don’t knock it off.
Here’s something else to consider. Torrents are a common vector for spreading malware. Stay safe and only use reputable apps and services that have the right to show you what you want to watch.
Tap or click for 13 tried and true ways to watch movies for free.
Using images on your site or videos
Unless you have express permission or know a photo is in the public domain, it’s not yours to use or share online. It’s unlikely you’ll get nailed for copyright infringement by posting a meme on Facebook. However, be especially careful when posting images to your website or using images in your videos.
At best, you’ll get a slap on the wrist. At worst, you could end up with a bill for tens of thousands of dollars for posting someone else’s work without permission or credit.
If you go to Google Images, type in a search term, and pull down the best photos that pop up, you’ll get into trouble eventually. Tap or click for free, legal ways to find solid images for any purpose.
Bypassing paywalls
Years ago, you could access most news sites online for free. Today, you’re hit with paywalls on most major sites. Some of us get out our credit cards and often pay for the sites we visit.
Others find clever ways around the paywalls, like browser extensions or other tricks. Before you celebrate, know that it’s illegal. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act says you cannot go around technology meant to restrict access to copyrighted material.
Sharing passwords
Raise your hand if you have ever shared a password for a streaming service or other subscription. That is not only against the terms you agreed to when you signed up, but it might also be illegal. Depending on how you interpret it, the U.S. Computer Fraud and Abuse Act implies using someone else’s password is a federal crime.
Now, don’t expect Netflix to come knocking at your door. Things are changing. Netflix is starting to stop people from mooching off accounts.
Are you spending too much money on subscription services? Tap or click for your action plan to cut back.
Using particular search terms
There are some things you should not search for online. You can guess, but the list includes child abuse materials, hiring the services of a criminal and steps to make a bomb.
Then there are the things you should never Google for other reasons. Tap or click for a list of search terms that could put you at risk online.
Downloading YouTube videos
Maybe you find a video explaining a subject you’re trying to learn. You download the video so you can reference it again later. No harm, right? Not so fast.
According to YouTube’s terms of service, you cannot download content without express permission from the creator. And, of course, standard copyright laws apply.
Videos that fall into the Public Domain, Creative Commons and CopyLeft are fair game for downloading, though you could still be violating YouTube’s Terms of Service.
Stick to adding videos you want to come back to a playlist. Tap or click for some simple YouTube tricks you’ll use again and again.
Tags: activities, copyright, copyright infringement, copyright laws, Facebook, Google, Images, law, malware, phone number, privacy, search terms, security, subscriptions, terms of service, torrenting, YouTube
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