d.+What+are+the+issues+of+Privacy+in+regards+to+File-Sharing?

What are the issues of Privacy in regards to File-Sharing?
File-sharing is the act of transferring digitally stored information and data from one person to another using the internet and file-sharing programs downloaded directly onto computers. The site most commonly attributed as the first peer-to-peer file-sharing network was Napster in 1999, but since then many more have been created. Files most commonly shared via this method are audio and video files, such as music and movies, as well as video games and e-books. With the possible legal and copyright infringement issues aside, there are concerns of privacy within file-sharing programs that students should be made aware.

Once, the only way to bring information files and programs onto our computers was to use either a floppy-drive (most students these days have never even heard of A nor B drives and most likely don't question why their computers begin with Drive C) a disc drive or directly networking of computers in order to share. With the invention of electronic mail file-sharing became much simpler and more accessible for users. The invention of peer-to-peer network sharing has made it even easier to share files with a massive audience.

Computer protection software and anti-virus programs use firewalls to prevent unauthorized access to our computers while allowing authorized communication between servers. However since in the case of peer-to-peer sharing the connection is requested and firewalls generally do not block peer-to-peer file-sharing programs. This means that malicious software, viruses, spyware, and trojans - aptly named after the famous Battle of Troy where Greek soldiers disguised themselves in a giant wooden structure of a horse and were then able to infiltrate and sack the City of Troy - can be uploaded from a unknown source and downloaded to a personal computer and executed without knowledge of their true identity. These are commonly found under the name of a popular search item and are not known to be harmful until already downloaded.

Malicious files can create problems such as identity theft, screenshots, private information downloads and more.

Next Page