Commonly used file sharing software.?
Some P2P programs bundle third-party advertising programs, and use of file sharing software is one of the largest sources of virus, Trojan and data mining infections.If you allow the use of these programmes on your PC it is important that you are aware of the risks to you and your computer.
Many people have peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing software on their home PCs. Teenagers use P2P to look for and download music and video files (often illegally). Some of the more widely used file sharing programs are:
- Kazaa
- Grokster
- Morpheus
- Bittorrent
- Limewire
You should check if your PC has one these programmes installed (this list is only the most popular there are many others). If any of the above are on your PC it is important that:
- You check what is being downloaded by your children (usually a shared folder exists e.g. c:/sharedfolder/
- You check that your PC has minimum security measures in place.
- You speak to whoever uses the P2P software and make them aware of the risks
It is not the actual file sharing program that is the main concern with regard to these programs but rather the other risks:
- Virus infection from downloaded files I cannot stress this enough if P2P are used- ALWAYS ALWAYS keep your virus protection up to date. (If you would like a list of recommended software please click here for the best available virus protection applications)
- Adware that is installed with the application
- Legal implications of downloading unlicenced material
P2P products are one of the most common ways that adware can infiltrate your computer make your online life difficult. The adware they distribute can force you to view advertisements and pop-ups, hijack your Web browser, and even slow your computer to a grinding halt. |
