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The benefits and risks of peer-to-peer file sharing

7 tips to help avoid breaking copyright laws and getting unwanted software

Published: 07 June 2005
Two people sharing files anonymously over the Internet

The digital age has ushered in unprecedented ways to connect people and share information. Recently, peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing has become a convenient way to share public domain music, audio, images, documents, and software programs worldwide over the Internet. Using P2P programs such as Morpheus, Kazaa, LimeWire, and iMesh and many others, you can store media files in a specific location on your computer, go online, search for, and share files with other computer users who use the same software.

However, like many powerful tools, P2P software can be easily misused. It's important to understand and anticipate the risks of P2P file sharing before you download your first file.

Risk #1: Exposing your computer to unwanted software

As with most things you download from the Internet, shared files can contain security risks such as viruses, spyware, and other unwanted software. A file that appears legitimate could be a virus in disguise. It's also common for unwary file sharers to download beneficial software that incorporates undisclosed spyware with it.

Although downloading files always poses some degree of risk-especially when the files you download are from unknown sources-you can mitigate the dangers by installing industry standard antivirus and anti-spyware software and keeping these tools active and current.

Risk #2: Breaking copyright laws

Although there has been some controversy over the use of P2P sharing to illegally share or "pirate" copyrighted material, in particular audio and visual files, reputable P2P software is legal to use.

However, if you choose to use P2P software it's important to understand and differentiate between copyrighted and public domain material and to share responsibly. When in doubt about a given file, it's best not to share or download it. The following tips can help you reduce these risks and use file sharing legally.

Tips for file sharing more safely

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Monitor family P2P use and don't assume that using an Internet filter protects your family from accessing or downloading unwanted or illegal material. Because most Internet filters cannot block P2P file sharing, it's important to set guidelines and ensure that all family members know about file sharing. In addition, while the potential for illegal file sharing is enough for concern, sharing certain types of files, especially computer programs, can also be a conduit for viruses, spyware, and other unwanted software.

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Treat all downloaded files with suspicion and use updated industry standard antivirus software to scan each new file before you click it. Set your antivirus software to scan your hard disk automatically on a regular basis, or do it manually yourself.

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Delete any pirated material you find on a family computer, digital audio player, CD-R disc, or other storage device and consider disabling the P2P software's downloading option or blocking outside access to the program by changing your computer's Internet firewall settings.

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Learn all you can about your P2P software and be very careful about which files you make available to others. Most P2P shared files are typically stored in a single folder on your computer (often named "My Shared Files" or similar by default).

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Do not store copies of copyrighted files that you have legally purchased, such as songs from a CD or a licensed retail music site in your P2P file-sharing folder.

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Back up important files on an external storage device or a CD-R disc before sharing or downloading files.

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For more information about P2P file sharing, visit the Electronic Frontier Foundation and other Internet sites and forums on a regular basis.


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•Windows Peer-to-Peer Networking
•Protect Your PC
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