Peer-to-Peer (P2P) systems do not operate on secure lines, hence providing a conduit for hackers to enter a network or computer, access personal and confidential information, as well as deploy viruses or worms. Users of P2P systems are prime targets and / or launching points for malicious hacker attacks simply due to downloading and sharing electronic files or programs, not to mention usage on publicly open and interpretable industry standard protocols and industry standard codec.
A Staff Report submitted by the Government Reform Committee of the US House of Representatives (May 2003), entitled "File-Sharing Programs and Peer-to-Peer Networks - Privacy and Security Risks", stated that users of these programs have inadvertently made their "personal search records, available for download."
Personal information includes tax resourcing, financial information such as income and investments, medical records, business files such as contracts and personnel valuations, and attorney-client communications, to name a few.
Spyware and adware programs are frequently bundled into P2P file-sharing software. Users Fume at Grokster & # 39; Drive -by Download & # 39 ;, these two programs "... can redirect a user & # 39; s homepage to a different website, install a new browser toolbar, insert entries into the users & uninstallation, and extremely crash a user & # 39; s system.
Another grave concern for two individuals and businesses when using P2P software is unknowingly having a supernode. A supernode occurrence when your computer is arbitrarily assigned as a hub.
When you are running the software for P2P services, you may need to help other users on the same system.
Not addressed to this overload system or networks with excessive data, disk space, and network bandwidth, unscrupulous hackers can also insert arbitrary code in each supernode "address space or crash all supernodes.
The tools that enable them to accomplish this are bundled People like to peer (peer-to-peer) in the software their customers download to access their VoIP service.
