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WPLG-10 Miami: "Thousands of local computer users are disconnecting their modems for something much faster. Digital subscriber lines and cable TV hook ups speed up web surfing. But beware, this need for speed could be playing right into the hands of hackers..."

If you have a standard phone modem hooked up to your computer then you're the only one on that particular connection. However, with these high speed cable hook ups you're basically on a highway with dozens of other people in your area and if you aren't careful they could have easy access to your computer files. The dig has been on for months, South Florida is being wired for high-speed Internet access through fiber optic cable. Now however some concerns have been unearthed...

"It's basically like leaving the the front door to your office open at night." Paul Zimmerman, a computer engineer, says these new cable connections are great and can be safe but many of our computers are set up in such a way that we're inviting hackers right into our home. (Mark Schumacher) "What I am seeing on the screen here is actually on the drive of another computer." Here's how it can happen...

Using common programs for finding Internet addresses, Zimmerman looks one up and then links up. If the other person has not disabled "File Sharing" on their computer. "Ahead of time I created an icon called I HACKED YOUR PC". Then Zimmerman could do anything... Here he just transfers a computer icon. "There's no icon there. When I pull this over I'm going to copy it right through the Internet... and there it is." We should point out that Zimmerman does not hack into other peoples computer's. For this demonstration he hacked into another computer in his house that uses a separate Internet link. "I have just as much access... I can print to their printers, I can share files, I can delete files." This is a common way that hackers are stealing your personal information. But there is good news. The fix is easy if you know where to look...

"We're going to go into network settings..." If you click on Control Panel then Network settings, then TCP/IP Adapters... "We're going to select properties then we'll select bindings." Then when you see File and Printer Sharing - You need to turn it OFF. Using passwords to get into your computer is a good safety measure as well.

"There is also a web site you can go to for help. Zimmerman has his own free site that will show you everything you need to insure that you are protected. Log on to WPLG.COM and we'll take you there..." (WPLG - Channel Ten Eyewitness News)

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