Peer-to-Peer File Sharing is safe for my children? -
What is file sharing peer-to-peer?
peer -to-peer (P2P) file sharing allows users to access and download various files through a digital file sharing network. These networks searches for other "peers" - someone connected to the Internet and using the same file-sharing software like you - who have the specific files you want. It works the other way too. Here is how an exchange on P2P networks usually works: Let's say someone is looking for a specific album of a popular musician, and you happen to have this album recorded on your computer. When you and the other user connected to the network even sharing P2P files, the user search the network to see that the album has the option to download it from your hard drive.
While this type of file sharing was oriented sharing and downloading music, it grew to include other things, such as games, movies, TV shows, books and even various software. Being able to download these types of files make the popular P2P networks with children and adolescents, causing some concern for parents.
sharing illegal peer-to-peer?
Although there are some legal file sharing networks out there, there are also a ton of illegal that contain pirated content. The file sharing act, if you are the content of a download or the content of a share to download, becomes illegal when it violates copyright laws. And companies do not take this matter lightly, as fans download episodes of "Friends" recently discovered. Last year, Warner Bros. prohibition orders sent emails and letters to people who had episodes of the sitcom success downloaded illegally. These letters also detailed a fine that Warner Bros is in charge of offenders.
Are peer-to-peer file sharing poses other problems?
Aside from the infringement of copyright, other major concerns with P2P file sharing are the risks of computer security and privacy. When you or your children to download unknown files to your computer, you may download a virus without even knowing, as you really have no idea who you are downloading files from or what the files might contain. Regarding privacy issues will, identity theft is a huge risk when using P2P networks. Indeed, all the personal information you have stored on your computer such as bank account information, passwords and social security numbers, can be accessed by identity thieves using P2P network. If they are unable to access it via a P2P network, they can always try to access it once you download without knowing it, a virus disguised as a different file.
How can I protect my computer?
The most obvious way to eliminate this risk would be to talk with your child about the dangers of P2P networks and stop your child to fully experience the peer-to-peer file sharing networks, but you should also consider other methods to help protect your computer. Using an Internet security software reputable help you out warnings or viruses that may try to attack your computer and make sure the content you download is safe. Another useful guarantee is a parental control software. While we are not able to test the effectiveness of the software on peer-to-peer sites, these services allow you to block certain websites or activate warning notifications for specific sites or categories so you know when your child visits such a site.
Visit our control critical software parents to see what best suits their budget and needs of your family and follow our parental control blog for more tips on keeping your children online.
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