Regardless of whether you choose to allow P2P file sharing programs, take these steps to ensure that the sensitive information on your network is secure: There’s no shortcut when it comes to dealing with P2P file sharing security concerns. Protecting Sensitive Inf ormation on Your Network And if there are security flaws or vulnerabilities in the P2P file sharing software or on an organization’s network, the P2P program could open the door to attacks on other computers on the network. What’s more, files can be shared among computers long after they have been deleted from the original source computer. Once a user on a P2P network downloads someone else’s files, the files can’t be retrieved or deleted. As a result, instead of just sharing music, a user’s personal tax returns, private medical records or work documents could end up in general circulation on P2P networks. In addition, viruses and other malware can change the drives or folders designated for sharing, putting private files at risk. They might accidentally choose to share drives or folders that contain sensitive information, or they could save a private file to a shared drive or folder by mistake, making that private file available to others. People who use P2P file sharing software can inadvertently share files. In turn, other users can download and view any files stored in these designated areas. P2P users can designate the drives and folders from which files can be shared. P2P file sharing programs allow computers to download files and make them available to other users on the network. The guide also notes measures network administrators or security professionals can use to address these problems. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, has written this guide to highlight the security problems that can result when organizations allow their employees – and others with access to their networks – to use P2P file sharing software. When P2P file sharing software is not configured properly, files not intended for sharing may be accessible to anyone on the P2P network. BearShare, LimeWire, KaZaa, eMule, Vuze, uTorrent and BitTorrent are examples of P2P file sharing programs. Because virtually anyone can join a P2P network just by installing particular software, millions of computers could be connected at one time. The technology enables computers using the same or compatible P2P programs to form a network and share digital files directly with other computers on the network. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) technology is a way to share music, video and documents, play games, and facilitate online telephone conversations. What is Peer-to-Peer file sharing software?
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