In addition to legal risks you are taking by downloading copyrighted files, you also risk corrupting your computer, losing important data, and exposing confidential information when using peer-to-peer software and networks.

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Peer-to-peer file sharing is a popular way to share music, videos, and other files online, usually without the permission of the files' creators. In a peer-to-peer network, there is no central website from which users download files. Instead, each user's computer acts as a server, hosting files for others to download. Because of this there are risks that must be considered when joining a peer-to-peer network.

When files are shared on a peer-to-peer (or P2P) network, there are generally numerous users “seeding” that file for others to download. This means that when you download a file shared on a P2P network, you are getting bits of the file from numerous users' computers. Likewise, as a participant, you are opening up files on your computer for others to download. It is important that you are aware of what files you are seeding and what content on your computer you have made public. As a member of a P2P group, you are placing trust in the developers of the software you are using (have they kept it up to date with good monitoring and filtering tools?) and all other P2P participants. You are trusting that all users are seeding a clean file, free of malware.

Using a P2P network can be a lot like exposing yourself to a kindergarten classroom - do it long enough, and you will catch some kid's virus. There isn't any way to completely protect your computer from the risks of infection on a P2P network. Vigilant anti-malware scans help, but there is always a chance that malicious software could get through - or that your personal documents or confidential information could be exposed to another user on the network. This is one way that identity thefts can occur.

To conclude, when using P2P software, in addition to any legal risks you may be taking by downloading copyrighted files, you also risk losing computer data, repair time, and your confidential identity data. Using P2P networks doesn't only hurt the companies who produce the files you share illegally - it also puts your computer at risk.

For more information please visit the links below:

Peer-To-Peer File Sharing
http://www.cites.illinois.edu/security/filesharing/peertopeer_l.html

Peer-To-Peer File Sharing: How to Protect Your Computer
http://www.cites.illinois.edu/security/filesharing/peertopeer_h.html

Risks of File-Sharing Technology
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST05-007.html

The benefits and risks of peer-to-peer file sharing
7 tips to help avoid breaking copyright laws and getting unwanted software
http://www.microsoft.com/canada/athome/security/online/p2p_file_sharing.mspx 
 

Article Written by:

Kipp Manske, Helpdesk manager and Helpdesk staff