The danger behind peer-to-peer file sharing

By:Migz Mon

File sharing is very common nowadays. You can get a P2P (peer-to-peer) program for free, and soon start sharing stuff like music, videos and programs. We use these applications freely and most of us don’t know the risks involved when using them.

Questionable reliability of files – Once we get our hands on a P2P program, we download everything we want like crazy. Favorite music, free softwares, as long as it is available, you download them. Hackers, attackers, or whatever, use this to their advantage. They can insert Trojans, viruses, spyware and other kinds of malware, and then share it to the P2P network. Unwary victims fall prey to these traps, and pay its price.

They make you vulnerable. Don’t let them. – Some P2P programs request you to open up your firewall in order for you to share and download files. This makes you vulnerable and giving attackers openings and opportunities to attack your system.

Breaching privacy – P2P programs that require you to give personal information are very doubtful when it comes to keeping your data secure. Since security is also unreliable, unauthorized people can gain access to your information easily.

Piracy – Would you consider the fact that P2P hosts illegal action which violates the intellectual property rights of hardworking people? The music industry, for example, is going down and most people don’t even care, as long as they get songs for free.

To eliminate P2P risks, take preventive measures and just don’t use them. If you still want to use such applications, be sure to be prepared for the worse.

Keep an anti-virus software in your computer and regularly update its definitions. Everyday, there are new kinds of viruses that spread in the internet, so keeping your anti-virus programs updated is a must.

Enable your firewall. If the P2P program asks you to turn it off or open some ports, don’t do it. Just find some other program that doesn’t require you to do anything irrational to your firewall.

To keep your computer secured and optimized, you can go to here for more stuff regarding security. It also contains tips and tricks for pc, internet, softwares and hardwares that can be of real benefit.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: virus, trojan, spyware, p2p, peer-to-peer, internet, security, piracy, risks, dangers, optimize, performance, pc, tips, firewall, antivirus, antispyware, file, sharing

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Learn how to beef up and optimize your computer's performance. Tips, tweaks and how-to's, to maximize its potenials. Also offers internet and software tips as well as interesting articles. Visit my site at yourpctips.awardspace.com/

Top Computers Articles
1). The danger behind peer-to-peer file sharing By : Migz Mon File sharing is very common nowadays. You can get a P2P (peer-to-peer) program for free, and soon start sharing stuff like music, videos and programs. We use these applications freely and most of us don’t know the risks involved when using them. Questionable reliability of files – Once we get our hands on a P2P program, we download everything we want like crazy.
2). How To Install And Setup Noah's Classifieds By : Bedrich Omacka In this article I will explain the basic Noah's Classifieds features, show you how to install this script and how to setup it to run properly.
3). Pisa - The city of the Leaning Tower By : Jakob Jelling Although it is world wide famous due to its Leaning Tower, the city of Pisa also has many other great attractions and amazing characteristics to of
4). Is The Internet Censored? By : J Schipper When most people think about Internet censorship, the usual suspects immediately come to mind : Communist China and repressive Islamic countries. Unfortunately, Westerners have an embarrassment all their own : Australia's net censorship law, established in 2000. Freedom House, a non-profit U.S. organization dedicated to spreading human rights and freedom, undertakes regular surveys on press freedom and censorship.
5). Toshiba Libertto U100, smaller yet better than you might imagine! By : john Have you ever wondered how small a laptop can be? Well, utilizing today’s technology Toshiba does a perfect job at demonstrating it; the Libertto U100 is one of the very few laptops that have such a rich feature set fitted altogether within such a small space. Of course, if you believe that a fingerprint authentication system is too much for such a.
6). Does CCTV Really Reduce Crime? By : Robert Michael In the UK, home of twenty percent of the world's CCTV cameras, there is mounting concern about its invasion and lack of regulation. "UK Public CCTV Surveillance Regulation Campaign." The thought-provoking questions they ask are good ones. They want to know, for instance, why, if television programming and licensing is so heavily regulated in the UK.
7). Why Are People Cheesed Off With The Internet? By : Gary Simpson Having been connected to the "net" now for about eight years I can't help but notice the amount of deception that goes on. And it seems to be getting
8). Preparation Tips For Comptia A+ Certification By : The Industry Standard CompTIA A Plus Certification exam has two parts; approximately 80 questions for each part. * Core Hardware: $153 - min. passing score 515 * Operating Systems Technology: $153 - min. passing score 505 (CompTIA corporate members can take the exams for $98, employers that require this test are usually corporate members and will inform you of this.
9). Can Cell Phones Harm Your Health? By : D Ruplinger It seems like everywhere a person goes there is at least one person in view with a cell phone to their ear whether it is on the road, in a store, in a parking lot, walking down the street, etc. Even in places where cell phone usage is banned such as concert halls or movie theaters there is the occasional offender, or more likely, at least a few people using the text messaging feature on their phone.
10). RAM and Latency... what you need to know By : Nicholas Spriggs RAM latency is one of the most overlooked methods of optimizing your computer. Find out exactly how you can tweak your memory timings in order to make your system run quicker.

New Computers Articles
1). Why More People Today Are Turning To Notebooks For Their Computer Needs By : Gregg Hall The computer used to take up a whole room, and now all you need is a little notebook. Gone are the days of needing a desktop. The notebook now makes the desktop computer look big and bulky.
2). The Podcast for This American Life By : Andrew Manifield The podcast for This American Life allows listeners to download the shows and listen to them at their discretion.
3). Is That On-Sale Printer Really a Bargain? By : Ray La Foy he problem for many, however, is the fact that the printer itself can be found, but replacement ink cannot.
4). Finding Podcast Hosting By : Andrew Manifield For anyone who wants to begin creating a podcast, podcast hosting is the most important part.
5). If You Want Flexibility And Portability Consider A Laptop By : Gregg Hall If you are one of those who works with a computer on a daily basis like me you should consider a laptop. I have actually owned three now and I think I would be lost without mine. I still use my desktop PC quite a bit at home but the laptop comes in extremely handy when I am away.
6). Types of Music Podcasts By : Andrew Manifield Many music podcasts are available online, distributed by podcasters who want to share their collection with the world.
7). Becoming A DVD Repair Expert Online By : Maxine Schel Many conventional colleges and universities are now offering online DVD repair courses, which are the exact same as those taught on a traditional college campus, to distance learners. Online education is generally taught through the use of several different methods, including online satellite feeds, correspondence or online lessons. This technique permits the student to obtain a DVD repair degree without ever having to step inside of a classroom.
8). Compatible Inkjet Cartridge By : Isabel Rodrigues Once the printer ink runs dry it has to be replaced with another inkjet cartridge. There are many reputed companies like Canon, Epson, Dell, and Lexmark that provide the necessary cartridges to replace the empty cartridges. Replacing inkjet cartridge can add to a very big cost. It could be worse if you have to replace the empty cartridges frequently every month.
9). Best Passwords By : Richard Romando No sane person would ever like someone else reading her email. Or for that matter some other person using her password and breaking into a financial institution. You should, therefore, choose a strong, secure password in such a manner that would be a hard nut to crack for others and easy for you to remember. The more random and mixed-up you make it, the harder it is for others to crack.
10). Home Printing Machines By : Peter Vermeeren Home printing machines are available on the market today in many sizes, prices and capabilities. Many different forms of printing can be accomplished in the home. Whether you want to create unique tee-shirts using a home screen printing machine or you want to produce elegant laser printed letters, the equipment is readily available to you for home use.