Computer Security And P2P Networks
What does "P2P" mean and how does it work?
A peer-to-peer (P2P) network is a network that consists of a group of individual stations, if you will. Each of those individual stations are called peers. And instead of things being stored on one giant server, they're housed on each of these individual stations called a peer. So when you want to download some information, as opposed to something like an iTune track, where they have servers that are set up so you can buy music and download it from these servers where everyone downloads it from the same place, in a peer-to-peer network you're downloading it from a very specific station or a very specific computer and it's a cluster made up of possibly tens, possibly hundreds of individual peers. But they connect and relate one-to-one as opposed to one location serving many.
Is it safe to share my files over a P2P network?
In terms of sharing your files over Pear-2-Pear network it is certainly not safe to share all your files over Pear-2-Pear network because you don't know who is accessing the files and for what. If you are going to share any files over Pear-2-Pear network I would certainly sequester them in a restricted area like a folder that's specifically for sharing. I would tell my software, my Pear-2-Pear software that only files in that folder can be shared and I would be pretty specific about what files I am willing to share. Certainly nothing personal of a personal nature, maybe their music files and things you have created, but I wouldn't share personal information or anything that has financial or secure information in it.
What is a "server"?
With computer security and P2P networks, a server is very much like a personal computer. However, the server has an intention to provide information to many users simultaneously. A personal computer is typically meant for just that: an individual to use. It's a personal home computer for the use of one individual. A server is built to provide a connection to hundreds if not thousands, if not hundreds of thousands or even millions of users at the same time. A server is a big, beefed-up, special computer.
What are the dangers of sharing files over a P2P network?
The problems you might encounter if you're sharing files over a peer-to-peer network include copyright infringement. Some of the files that you might be sharing, might not be yours to share. It's also very easy to pick up a virus, because you really don't know what you're downloading, and you really don't know who you're downloading it from. Also, you're opening a port or connection in your computer that somebody with the sophisticated knowledge can actually use to access your computer. It is like opening a second door, one door is connected to the internet and you're opening a second door allowing people to download things. This can be exploited and somebody can gain access to your computer.
How can I use a P2P network without having to share files?
It is possible to use a peer-to-peer network to access files without sharing them. This is typically a preference that's set in your peer-to-peer network software. This will allow you to download files but not share files with others. By doing that, you gain the benefit of having access to all the files that are out there on the peer-to-peer network without any of the risks associated with opening your computer to a potential invader. In the peer-to-peer world it is considered better to give than it is to receive. So you will find a lot of die-hard people who are into the whole file-sharing scene, which is what peer-to-peer networking is part of, who frown upon those who don't wish to share but only to receive.
Can I get arrested for using a P2P network?
With computer security and P2P networks, the legality of peer-to-peer networks is one that's very current in our laws right now. The actual act of a peer-to-peer network is not what's in question; you're allowed to connect to other computers. It's basically what information and what content is being shared on the peer-to-peer network. We see this with movies and music. You could potentially be at risk for being arrested or held liable for distributing copywritten material in the form of a movie or music that you don't own the copyright to. You could also be held liable and responsible for obtaining access to a copywritten piece of material that you don't own. It is highly unlikely that this would happen, but it is possible. It is not a legal act to distribute material that you don't own. Legal use of a peer-to-peer network relies on what data, what content, what media is being transferred. If you are accessing and distributing either public domain material or material that you or other members of the network have created themselves on a peer-to-peer network, then you are doing absolutely nothing wrong. The legality of it comes from who owns the content that's being distributed.