Security issue with iTunes9?? - I'm seeing other peoples Librarys via 'Shared'

[Uabcar]

I just loaded iTunes 9 on my work PC and just noticed that under the new 'Shared' category, there is someone's Library listed. I have no idea who this person is- I assume they are on our internal network here at work (as are hundreds of others). I can see all their music, videos, etc. This seems rather unsecure. I assume this person has loaded iTunes9 and enabled Sharing - and it's broadcasting this info across the network?

I have not enabled this functionality- and will not - but I hope my Library is not out there for all to see. Seems like you should have to approve who/what computers see your shared data.

Anyone else seeing this?

 

[vincebio]

surely i would have thought if you switch 'sharing' on you kinda know your sharing?

its hardly a security risk if your workmate knows you listen to crap music

 

[Goodeye]

You can see their because they enabled the function.

They shouldn't be able to see yours unless you set it accordingly. This has always worked this way. I have see other people's stuff when I have taken my night college courses at the community college when connected to the wifi network.

 

[Uabcar]

Hmm- I get the point behind sharing - it just seems odd to me that it would be soo open. It does require you to authorize the computer if you try to select a song- so I guess the only risk is that you can see the list (which I agree is not a big issue).

Is Sharing a function of each iTunes instance - or will my device carry over the fact that I'm sharing at home - to another machine (that is connected to another network).

I guess I'd think that the request to authorize the computer would be triggered when you open the Library- vs actually selecting the media.

 

[Small White Car]

That's not the new feature. That kind of sharing has been in iTunes for years now. Go into the preferences to turn it on or off. (In the "Sharing" tab.) It's your choice. Something you can turn off or put a password on is not a secuirty issue.

(You really never noticed this before today?)

What iTunes 9 added was 'Home Sharing' which allows accounts with the same log-on info to actually copy music back and forth. (The normal sharing just streams in real-time.)

I guess I'd think that the request to authorize the computer would be triggered when you open the Library- vs actually selecting the media.

Those people probably don't have a password on the library at all. I'm guessing you're picking songs with DRM on them. The song itself is what's asking for the password in that case. If you can find any plain DRM-free songs they would probably play just fine.

 

[Uabcar]

Alright- so I got it. I guess I just never had the 'Look for Shared Library's' box checked in my preferences before. I assume this may have been the default and now, for iT9, they have turned turned it on.

thanks for the heads up.

 

[Small White Car]

Alright- so I got it. I guess I just never had the 'Look for Shared Library's' box checked in my preferences before. I assume this may have been the default and now, for iT9, they have turned turned it on.

thanks for the heads up.

Fun Tip: If you're on a hotel wifi network you can often find a dozen iTunes libraries, happily sharing their songs!

I've learned about some neat music doing that.