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Cyber Safety Glossary

report fraud P2P

Also Known As:
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) File-Sharing.


Description:
File-sharing is one of the oldest and most used features of the Internet. It traditionally requires a Web site on which files can be uploaded, stored, and downloaded. For example, there are a growing number of Web sites to which relatives upload and download family photos. This is one of the Internet’s most popular file-sharing activities.

Another common form of file-sharing is File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Web sites. These sites allow an organization’s employees, suppliers, and customers to upload, download, and share useful documents, presentations and images.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing does not follow the traditional model of uploading and downloading files from a Web site. Instead, files are shared directly from personal computer to personal computer with no intermediate server — thus, peer to peer.

Napster P2P software popularized peer-to-peer digital music file-sharing. The original Napster was shut down for copyright infringement. Today, the Napster name has reemerged as a legal and legitimate subscription-based music service and is no longer engaged in P2P music file-sharing. Copyright infringement through P2P file sharing, however, remains a major issue for the desktop software, music, movie, and games industries.


P2P risks:
There are a number of risks associated with P2P file-sharing. P2P client software can easily infect personal computers with viruses and spyware, creating a host of problems for the computer’s owner such as the theft of financial information. Pornography, inflammatory material, and malware can be disguised and then shared through P2P networks unknowingly. Shared copyrighted material like copies of software, music, or movies is illegal and possession of these files has the potential to expose the computer owner to prosecution and fines.


What Should I Do:
Talk with children and teenagers about the risks of illegal P2P file-sharing in terms of viruses, spyware, being hacked, unlawful sharing of copyrighted material, pornography and racist material. Steer family members away from illegal sites and instead guide them toward reputable, fee-based services. If the family does decide to use P2P software, carefully monitor and limit its use. Do not allow copyrighted material to be shared. Be warned that pornography or viruses could be masked as other files. Have anti-virus, anti-spyware, and firewall software protecting all of the family’s computers.
Select a Term

Adware  
  Annoying pop-up and banner ads? System slowdowns? Your computer may be infected with Adware
Bots & Botnets  
  Hackers use bot programs for theft, fraud, and denial-of-service attacks on Web sites
Browser Highjacking  
  Malware used by hackers to direct your computer to their websites, regardless of the address you entered.
Cookies  
  A Web page that welcomes you by name uses cookies
Counterfeit Products  
 

Businesses rely on what is called a digital signature to recognize their customers
Digital Signatures  
 

Businesses rely on what is called a digital signature to recognize their customers
Extortionware  
 

A software program that encrypts essential personal files - taking them hostage and demanding money for their safe return
Keylogger  
  Hackers illegally use software keyloggers to identify their victims’ computer passwords, login names, bank account and credit card numbers
Malware  
  Any software program developed for the purpose of doing harm to a computer system or to create mischief
Man-in-the-Middle Attack  
  Cyber criminals eavesdrop on electronic communication between a consumer and a legitimate organization
Nigerian Scam  
  Unsolicited email messages from a stranger who promises great wealth — a get-rich-quick scheme
P2P File Sharing  
  Peer-to-peer file sharing is very popular on the Internet, but it can also lead to virus infections and a host of other problems
Pharming  
  A technically sophisticated scam designed to trick individuals into disclosing sensitive information such as bank account, credit card, and Social Security numbers
Phishing  
  Official looking and sounding messages that urge immediate action to update sensitive financial and identity information
SMishing  
  Designed to trick you into divulging identity information, SMishing is Phishing over cell phones and other mobile devices.
Social Engineering Scams  
  A scam that preys upon our acceptance of authority and willingness to cooperate with others
Social Networking Sites  
  Never under any circumstances should your child or young teenager agree to meet in person someone from one of these sites
Software Piracy  
  The illegal use and/or distribution of software protected under intellectual property laws
Spam  
  The cyber equivalent to junk mail – spammers have developed many ways of obtaining email addresses
Spim  
  Unsolicited product or service advertisements that appear as instant messages
Sping  
  Spam from a fake blog tricking the unwary into visiting
Spit  
  A spam campaign against VOIP voicemail
Splog  
  A spam campaign directed against blogs
Spoofing  
  A criminal pretends to be a business or organization in order to gain access to a computer user’s sensitive information such as bank account, credit card, or Social Security numbers
Spy-Phishing  
  In a successful Spy-Phishing attack, a Trojan and/or Spyware is downloaded onto your computer from a Phishing message.
Stealth, Polymorphic, and Armored viruses
  These viruses hide, copy, or “armor” themselves in an attempt to avoid detection and removal from a computer.
Bots & Botnets  
  Hackers use bot programs for theft, fraud, and denial-of-service attacks on Web sites
Trojan Horses  
  Files or software programs that appear to be legitimate, but once installed can cause havoc
Viruses  
  Malicious programs or codes inserted into computer systems without the user’s permission
Warez Sites  
  Any site that hosts pirated software
Worms  
  These malicious software programs spread automatically from computer to computer
Zombie Drones  
  Personal computers secretly under the control of hackers
   
   



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