File sharing, also referred to as P2P (Peer-to-Peer), is one of the hottest trends on the Internet. P2P is often described as a type of decentralized computing where computers communicate directly with each other. Websites and organizations that support P2P programs allow people to download the free software for the primary purpose of sharing files across the Internet. This free software allows users to download music files, movies and software.
A recent report released by Ottawa-based AssetMetrix Research Labs, a provider of managed services for PC inventory and IT analysis, looked at the problems associated with P2P downloading and found that 77 percent of P2P applications resided on desktop systems. The study examined approximately 175,000 PCs from over 560 corporations, 10 percent of which were in Canada. Most of the content that is retrieved with these tools are illegal in terms of licensing and copyright regulations. This is just one example of the dangers of using Peer-to-Peer file sharing programs.
Below is a summary regarding the security and legal issues of using file-sharing programs and the dangers imposed to the user of a program and the network in which a file-sharing program is used.
Sharing your hard drive
Some programs that are used for file sharing claim to only share a specific folder on your hard rive where all the files you wish to share and download are stored. In some cases, these programs appear to only share the folder which you specified when in fact you could be unknowingly sharing your entire C: drive. This is mainly due to poor programming and code audits of the free software.
Sharing your IRS tax statement
Some tax programs save your tax return on the local C: drive. This can be very convenient for some people. However, the folder in which the tax program would save your tax return was the same folder in which many P2P programs share. This meant that some taxpayers were sharing their confidential tax returns with the entire Internet via their file-sharing program and were oblivious to that fact.
Welcome mat for Viruses and Addware
Virus writers have written viruses and worms specific to P2P programs. This kind of malicious content can be hidden in all file types and when the file is executed the virus will infect your computer and you may not even know that you have a virus. This can cause many issues in terms of system stability, privacy and integrity. Other malicious content, which is sometimes installed along with the P2P application, are labeled as spyware or addware. These types of programs are used to track users actions on the Internet and sell products. Some of the symptoms of running addware or spyware programs on your computer is:
Your PC is running slower than usual
Your browser has a new toolbar which you did not knowingly install
New program icons are in your system tray
Advertising windows appear when you are not browsing the Internet
There are a variety of free tools available on the Internet to detect and uninstall adware and spyware. Though the spyware and adware programs are not as dangerous as viruses or worms, they can jeopardize your productivity and privacy.
RIAA is looking for you
The Recording Industry Association of America is on the hunt for users of file sharing programs that obtain music files illegally. Their mission is as follows: "One of the RIAA's key missions is to help foster a legal climate that protects the rights of record companies, artists and copyright owners in general. The RIAA has worked to achieve this goal by assisting its member companies in such areas as copyright enforcement, webcasting and First Amendment advocacy."
Recently RIAA has legally forced Verizon Communications to turn over the names of broadband users who were illegally trading copyrighted music files over the Internet. As of September 8, 2003 RIAA has subpoenaed 261 users of a popular file sharing service. These users could face a fine of $750-$150,000 per copyright work infringed.
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