NET 11 Learning Log

In traditional methods of communication via the internet, information is transferred by individual computers connecting with each other through centralised servers. With peer to peer applications, these connections are made between individual computers, often without the need to form these client/server connections (unless these servers are providing a directory of files to the end users, as was the case with the original Napster application).

In his article “What Is Web 2.0” (2005) Tim O’Reilly suggests that this type of “internet decentralisation” is indicative of Web 2.0 applications, allowing users to retain more control over their information transfers.

http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oreilly/tim/news/2005/09/30/what-is-web-20.html?page=1

P2P has numerous advantages, including the elimination of bottle-necks (as all information does not need to pass through a single point; the server), and also the ability to store information in multiple locations, which in effect will “eliminate the risk of a single point of failure”

Barkai (2000) An Introduction to Peer-to-Peer Computing

http://www.wi.uni-muenster.de/wi/studieren/csc/ss02/6_PeerToPeer.pdf

Although P2P applications can be used to share any forms of data between users, the most common uses for client/client interactions is to distribute music, television programs, and movies. This raises many issues regarding the breach of copyright laws and piracy, which was most notably highlighted by the heavy metal band Metallica attempting to sue their fans in 2000, for distributing their music via Napster. During this time Napster claimed that they had no control over how individuals used their software, and the company did not directly distribute any copyrighted material, or store it on their servers.

Although the original Napster no longer exists, this argument highlights difficulty in prosecuting the producers of P2P software for copyright infringement, as they ultimately have no control over whether the information that is shared between users via their software is copyrighted or otherwise.

As mentioned previously, the main piracy concerns raised by P2P software relate to music and movies being shared between users. However, this isn’t the only area where copyright infringement issues are in causing problems for producers. For example, sewing, cross-stitch and embroidery patterns are also able to be distributed using file sharing software.

Taking a cue from music-bootlegging teenagers, sewing enthusiasts have discovered that they too can steal copyrighted material over the Internet, thanks to anonymous file-sharing techniques. “I’m only sharing [the patterns] with my friends, and their friends,” said Carla Conry, a mother of six who runs PatternPiggiesUnite!, a 350-person underground Net community of stitchers who swap the patterns. “Why shouldn’t friends help each other out and save a little bit of money?”

The other major concern that is raised by P2P technology is that of security. By using file-sharing software, you may in fact be giving other users access to your computer, which in turn leads to increased security risks.

“However, in order to share files on your computer and sometimes in order for you to access files on other computers within a P2P network such as BitTorrent, you must open a specific TCP port through the firewall for the P2P software to communicate. In effect, once you open the port you are no longer protected from malicious traffic coming through it.”
Bradley (n.d)
http://netsecurity.about.com/od/newsandeditorial1/a/p2psecurity.htm

The other security concern is that the files that you download may not be what you think you are downloading, and may in fact be malicious software that could harm your system.