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The Pitfalls of Peer to Peer (P2P) Software
March 22, 2005

You may be wondering to yourself, “What is file-sharing?” or maybe “There’s something wrong with file-sharing?” In this new age of technology the ability to access music, movies, and data of any kind from around the world via the Internet is quite amazing. Peer to Peer (P2P) software like LimeWire, BearShare, Morpheus, ICQ, and bit-torrent can have a negative impact to your computer and can go against Bowdoin’s compliance with the provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). (http://www.bowdoin.edu/it/contact/dmca-policy.shtml)

What’s the big deal? I like getting the files that I want when I want them, and most importantly, they’re free!

• Your files are accessible to anyone. This is a security risk especially if your email files and personal documents are available for sharing.
• The door opens for Viruses, Trojans, and worms to enter your computer and enter the Bowdoin College network.
• Files destructive to your computer can be disguised as MP3’s. These files can contain information that allows people to steal information such as passwords from your computer.

What do you recommend?

Apple makes a product called iTunes which offers thousands of songs for $.99 each! This software can be used on a PC or a Macintosh and you can download it for free from the software download site located at: http://www.bowdoin.edu/it/agreements/signin.jsp

Napster offers the same deal and now offers a subscription service of $14.95 per month to fill and re-fill your MP3 player legally. How cool is that?!

If you are a movie buff, subscribing to Netflix or Blockbuster for a small monthly fee will allow unlimited rentals, no shipping fees and no late fees. All alternatives will cost money, but the small fees now could save you from major fees in the future.

Stay safe, stay clean and practice good cyberhygiene.