File sharing, exchange of information,
includes sharing of computer programs and multimedia. There are many ways to
share files; sharing files via removable media such as flash drives and via
peer-to-peer networking also known as P2P file sharing. In peer-to-peer sharing
uses a software program to locate computers to share files. P2P file sharing
allows users to share and access media files and matching results such as
books, music, movies, as well as games using a P2P software program that
searches for other connected computers. The users can also download the file
from anywhere. Some examples of P2P file sharing are applications such as
Napster, Spotify, UTorrent, and BitTorrent. There is a also downside to P2P
file sharing, in terms of privacy. According to Siliconangle Article, millions
of accounts were stolen from iMesh which was P2P file sharing website
(Pleasant). Moreover, “P2P File Sharing and Its Impact on Business” states that
even though P2P is easy to use for downloading music and movies, BitSight, a
security rating company, reports that it is problematic for Business. The
article states that, “Among the findings are that 43 percent of application
files and 39 percent of games files shared contained malicious software”
(Barker). Due to theft, some companies prohibit P2P file sharing. Thus,
although P2P file sharing is very convenient, it is also a subject to identity
theft as well as viruses, malware and spyware.
Barker,Ian.
"P2P File Sharing and Its Impact on Business." BetaNews. N.p.,2015.
Web. 02 July 2016.
Pleasant,
Robert. "Millions of Accounts Stolen from File Sharing Site IMesh." SiliconANGLE.
SiliconANGLE Media, 13 June 2016. Web. 2 July 2016.
