As long as your teen isn't chatting it up with strangers, you're probably not too frazzled about what he or she is doing online – but maybe you should be. She could be on the Net swapping music and movie files. If this doesn't sound like a big deal to you, consider this: In most cases, downloading files for free is illegal. But getting hit with a hefty fine isn't all you have to worry about. Here's the lowdown on illegal file swapping and how it affects your teen.

Putting Yourself at Risk
Before you can realize the potential risks of file swapping, you must first know exactly how file swapping works. Using what's known as peer-to-peer file sharing, or P2P, people are using software provided by online companies, like Kazaa and Gnutella, to use their home computer and connect to other people's computers to make copies of their files – most often music, but also games, movies, software and pictures.

According to experts at WhatsTheDownload.com, a site dedicated to educating people on nearly anything related to downloading, this is where the risk comes in. Using P2P software means that your computer's hard drive becomes a server, and that means other people have access to your computer's file stores. In other words, practically any file on your computer, including work-related material and financial reports, is accessible to strangers.

P2P file sharing also makes your computer more susceptible to viruses. Your teen may think he's just downloading his favorite song, but along with it, he could be getting a nasty virus that could crash your system.

Another downside, according to WhatsTheDownload.com, is that some P2P software can secretly gather information about your computer usage. This information is sold to advertisers or anyone else who might be interested. Once you've got "spyware," as it's called, on your computer, you'll be slowed down by pop-ups, often times those pertaining to pornographic material or other things you might prefer your teen didn't see. Some unscrupulous companies even use spyware as a way to swipe credit card information.

Rockin' to the Judge
In 2003, the parents of Brianna Lahara, a seventh-grader from New York City, were sued by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) after she downloaded over 1,000 songs on her computer. P2P United, a group that represents several file-sharing sites, footed the settled-upon $2,000 fine, but you may not be as lucky.

Downloading movies and music for free or via P2P software is copyright infringement, and unless your teen has legal permission, copying or distributing copyrighted material can land you in a heap of trouble.

The experts at WhatsTheDownload.com say penalties can include hefty fines and even prison time.

If your teen thinks she can secretly download those files, tell her to think again. When you're online, you're not anonymous. You have what's known as an Internet Protocol (IP) address, a numeric code that basically "names" you online. No matter what site you visit, your IP address remains the same, so "finding" your teen is as easy as going to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) with the IP address and getting your contact information. After that, a lawsuit may soon follow.

What's Being Done?
A recent Gallup poll found that 83 percent of teens still think it's acceptable to illegally download copyrighted material, so it's clear to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) that education is key.

In March 2003, the MPAA unveiled a public awareness trailer that runs in theaters nationwide and on television. They also launched RespectCopyrights.org, a site that explains the importance of copyright protection.

WhatsTheDownload.com, provided by the Recording Academy, is another educational tool. The site consists of information to help teens understand the impact of illegal downloading, and even includes quotes from music-makers and artists on what they think of downloading.

In addition to educating consumers, some companies are dropping the prices on their products in hopes that lower prices will lead to more legal purchases. Some others are trying to make downloading and recording from their products harder.

If that's not enough to deter illegal downloaders, companies are prepared to file more lawsuits. In June 2004, copyright infringement lawsuits were filed against 482 computer users by the RIAA, and until people recognize that downloading for free is illegal, many more lawsuits are expected.

Safe, Convenient and Legal
One of the most popular reasons teens give for file-swapping is that music and movies are too expensive. They wonder why they should have to pay close to $16 for a CD when they only like one song on it. The music and movie industries are listening and working on ways to bring legal downloading alternatives to consumers.

The MPAA has teamed with Movielink.com and CinemaNow.com to bring legal video downloads for only $3 to $5.

"There are a ton of legal sites to sample, download, stream and burn digital music easily, legally and cheaply," say the experts at WhatsTheDownload.com. They also suggest that teens use sites like Real.com and iTunes.com.

Even Napster, the grand-daddy of downloading, which was shut down after the RIAA filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against them, has revamped itself and is now offering downloading services for as little as $.99 per track.

Though paying anything is a far cry from getting the goods for free, here's one thing you and your teen should consider: Is burning a CD of her favorite Britney Spears tracks really worth a huge fine and even jail time? We highly doubt it.

Want to see more?

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• Movie Madness: How the Silver Screen Affects Your Teen
• Talk about it!