File sharing is the practice of distributing or providing access to digitally stored information, such as computer programs, multimedia (voice and video), documents, games, software or electronic books.
It can be implemented through a variety of methods of storage, transfer and distribution of common forms of file sharing, which include manual sharing Removable media, and central sharing includes server facilities on computer networks, throughout the international network on the basis of hyperlinked documents, and using peer-to-peer networks or p2p networks.
Peer-to-peer file sharing
Users can use software that connects to a peer-to-peer network to search for shared files on the computers of other users (i.e. peers) connected to the network. Files of interest can be downloaded directly from other users on the network. Typically, large files are split into smaller chunks, which can be obtained from several peers and then reassembled by the downloader. This is done while the peer is simultaneously uploading the chunks it already has to other peers.
If you’re looking for a good P2P software for your daily usage, consider Crux P2P. We make sure that you have the full freedom over your usage, including all of the required features that you need and keeping it up to date. It’s free and always will be!
File hosting services
File hosting services are a simple alternative to peer-to-peer software. They are sometimes used in conjunction with Internet collaboration tools such as email, forums, blogs or any other medium where links to direct downloads from file hosting services can be embedded. These sites generally host files for others to download.
Free software founder and activist Richard Stallman said Monitoring, controlling and restricting data and program formats as they are now is a threat to information technology freedom for users.
Speaking at the keynote show at the Computer World conference in Brisbane on Tuesday, Stallman emphasized that the digital community had to be “free” to be beneficial, not an attack.
He said: “By highlighting its potential for surveillance and surveillance, technology can become a major catastrophe for society.”
He criticized Australia’s plans to force telecommunications companies and Internet service providers to store browsing and call logs in a manner similar to the European directive on data retention.
This was made by the proposed fiscal management , Who claimed in July that revealing the details “may lead to unnecessary and premature discussion.”
Stallman said it was “never too early to discuss the question of whether the government should surveil us all.”
“They often don’t record what people say, but who they talk to”, he said.
“This is enough for them to attack any political opposition group that seeks to destroy them,” he said. No country is safe and immune to the possibility of aggression from tyrants.”
Noting that “observation is one of the great dangers” directed at the free digital community, Stallman criticized government censorship of automobiles in the United Kingdom.
Another threat, he said, is highlighting Australian ISP-level filtering plans for Internet service providers at the filtering level of current plans and penalties for hosting or linking to banned Internet content.
“This is unbearable in a free country,” he told local and international service providers. It is an egregious assault on human rights.”
“Digital technology is a platform for proper oversight … It’s not just China and Iran anymore; we have to fight censorship wherever it is.”
The war on digital sharing
Stallman called Microsoft, Adobe, Amazon and Apple in a tone-deaf sermon called software monopolists and “restricted data formats.”
Emphasizing that the use of censorship, whether controlled by a person or a program, Stallman said, “Non-free programs” are essentially a tool that gives vendors power over users.”
He said the term “free” does not mean price. Instead, four “fundamental freedoms” are required:
- Freedom to operate the program as a user.
- Freedom to access the source code and conduct computing business freely
- Freedom to modify and distribute modified copies of the software source code.
The other tendency to prohibit the circulation of data.
The digital age has introduced unprecedented methods of interpersonal communication and information exchange. P2P file sharing has recently become a convenient way to share, according to a general field, music, audio, image, document and program files worldwide over the Internet. By using P2P sharing programs such as Morpheus, Kazaa, LimeWire and many other programs, you can store media files in a dedicated place on your computer, connect to the Internet, search for files and share them with other computer users using the same program.
However, P2P software can be misused like many powerful tools. It is important to understand and anticipate the risks associated with P2P file sharing before downloading your first file.
Risk No. 1: Exposing your computer to unwanted software
File sharing, like most things you download from the Internet, can contain security threats such as viruses, spyware and other unwanted programs. A file that appears legal may be a hidden virus. It is also common for vigilant file watchers to download a utility program that integrates a hidden spyware program.
Although the process of downloading files always involves a degree of seriousness, especially when the files you download are from an unknown source, you can reduce the risks by installing a standard anti-virus and anti-spyware program and making these tools active and continuous.
Risk No. 2: Violation of Copyright Laws
Although there is some controversy about the use of P2P sharing in connection with illegal sharing or “piracy” of copyrighted materials, particularly audio and video files, the use of reputable P2P programs is legal.
However, if you choose to use a P2P program, it is important to recognize and distinguish copyrighted material from public domain materials and share responsibility. When in doubt about any copyrighted file, it is best not to share or download this file. The following advice can help you reduce these risks and use file sharing legally.
Tips for safer file sharing
- Monitor your family’s use of P2P programs and do not assume that using an Internet filter will protect your family from accessing or downloading unwanted or illegal materials. Since most Internet filtering factors cannot prohibit P2P file sharing, it is important to develop guidelines and ensure that all family members are aware of a file sharing issue.
- In addition, while illegal file sharing is enough to be aware of, the sharing of certain types of files, especially computer programs and games can also be a channel used by viruses, spyware and other unwanted programs.
- Treat all files you download with some caution and use standard anti-virus software to check each new file before clicking on it. Set your antivirus program to check your hard drive automatically on a regular basis, or check it manually.
- Delete any pirated material you find on the family computer, digital audio player, CD-R or any other storage device and don’t forget to disable the download option in the P2P program or prevent external access to the program by changing the Internet connection firewall settings.
- Learn as much as you can about the P2P program and be careful what files you make available to others. The most common files are usually stored by P2P in a folder on your computer (often called “common files” or similar by default).
- Do not store copies of files protected by copyright laws that you have purchased legally, such as songs on CD or on a licensed music retail site in your P2P folder.
- Back up important files to an external storage device or CD before sharing or downloading files.
