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Sharing patient data with strangers

id you know that when you install one of the popular peer-to-peer file sharing programs, Kazaa, you agree, as part of the license, to allow the company to install other software on your computer? This other software could be adware, which causes pop-up ads, or spyware, which watches what you do on your computer.

In addition, many of the most popular file-sharing programs (Gnutella, LimeWire and Morpheus) not only enable you to personally share MP3s or other files, they can also share all of the files on your workstation with other users on the Internet and spread viruses.

Maintaining the confidentiality of our patients’Äô health information is paramount. To protect your computer and all of the personal information you can access from it, don't install additional software on your workstation. If you have questions about what software is acceptable, check the eHelp Web site or contact the Help Desk at ext. 5-4357. For more information, check out ISD's eHelp site at http://ehelp/security/.