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April 8th, 2009 |

P2P File Sharing: Evaluate the risks

Every day, millions of computer users share files online. Whether music, games, or sharing software file allows users to a wealth of information. You simply download special software that connects your computer to an informal network of other computers using the same software. Millions of users can connect to each other through this software at once. The software often is free and easily accessible.

Sounds promising, right? Maybe, but make sure you have in mind the advantages and disadvantages. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), national consumer protection agency, cautions that file sharing can have a number of risks. For example, when connected to file-sharing programs, you unwittingly may allow others to copy private files you never intended to share. You may download material that is protected by copyright laws and is mired in legal issues. You can download a virus or facilitate a security violation. Or you may unwittingly download pornography labeled as something else.

To protect personal information stored on your computer, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission for Consumers) suggests that you:

* Configure the software file sharing carefully. Please install the appropriate settings when installing the software, you can open not only access to the files you want to share, but also to other information on your hard disk as your tax returns, email messages, medical records, photos and other personal documents.

* Be aware of spyware. Some file-sharing programs install other software known as spyware. Spyware monitors your browsing habits of a user and then sends that data to third parties. Sometimes the user gets ads based on information that the spyware has collected and disseminated. Spyware can be difficult to detect and remove. Before using any file sharing program, you may want to buy software that can prevent the downloading of spyware or help detect your hard drive.

* Close the connection. In some cases, closing the file-sharing program window does not actually close your connection to the network. That allows file-sharing to continue and could increase your security risk. If you have a high speed or "broadband" Internet connection, you stay connected to the Internet unless you turn off the computer or disconnect your Internet service. These "always on" connections may allow others to copy shared files at any time. What's more, some programs to share files automatically open every time you turn on your computer. Controls, as a preventive measure, you may want to adjust the file-sharing program to prevent file sharing program from automatically opening.

* Use an effective anti-virus program and update it regularly. Files you download may be mislabeled, hiding a virus or other unwanted content. Use anti-virus software to protect your computer from viruses could be obtained from other users through the program file sharing. Not all antivirus programs block files downloaded through file sharing, so check your program's capabilities and settings. In addition, avoid downloading files with extensions such as. Exe,. Scr,. Lnk,. Bat,. Vbs,. Dll,. Bin, Y. cmd.

Talk to your family about file sharing. Parents may be unaware that their children have downloaded file-sharing programs on the family computer and that may have exchanged games, videos, music, pornography or other material that may be inappropriate for them. Also, since the records of other people sometimes are mislabeled, kids unintentionally may download these files. In addition, children can not understand the security and other risks involved with file-sharing software can be installed incorrectly, As anyone on the Internet access to private computer files of the family.

About the Author

Bjorn Gutter writes articles on different subjects. Visit his
p2p file sharing
blog.

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