P2P Software User Advisories
Please enjoy our P2P file sharing software and take care to use it legally, safely, and wisely.
Spyware. Files downloaded from the Internet (including those obtained via P2P software) may contain other software. While some such programs, such as "adware," may send you advertising, including pop-up ads, other software, such as "spyware" can track your Internet activities and report them to a third party. Spyware can even be used to take control of your computer. For an example of what happens when you don't have protection, see the eWeek article Spyware Floods In Through BitTorrent.
To avoid spyware:
- TrustyFiles recommends iPhantom for effective gateway spyware blocking
- Use anti-spyware software
- Be careful about what files you download.
Copyright Infringement Liability. P2P technology makes it possible to share all kinds of files. These files may be protected by copyright, which means that you generally need the copyright owner's permission before you legally download or share it with other P2P users. Popular music, movies, games, and software are often protected by copyright.
Copyright infringement can result in significant monetary damages, fines and even criminal penalties. Some copyright owners have filed civil lawsuits against individuals that they believe unlawfully distributed large numbers of copyrighted songs.
To minimize or avoid copyright infringement:
Data Security. P2P software programs let users share information with other users around the globe. They allow users to view the contents of each others' "shared folders." If you have personal information in your shared folders, anyone else using the compatible P2P software on the same network has access to it. Another user could use that information to commit identity theft, or to embarrass you. Please pay attention to the files that you place in, or download to, your shared folders. Don't put information in your shared folder that you aren't comfortable sharing with strangers.
In particular, do not put tax, medical, banking, correspondence or any other sensitive personal files in the same folder as files that are shared via your P2P software program.
To minimize or avoid these data security problems:
- Be careful about what files you share.
To report identity theft, or for more information about identity theft, please consult the US Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Clearinghouse .
Unwanted Exposure to Pornography. P2P software may give users, including children, access to pornography. Some files containing pornography may be deliberately mislabeled to attract young or otherwise unsuspecting viewers. Distributing illegal pornography is a serious crime. Users whose shared folders contain illegal pornographic material, particularly child pornography, could be subject to criminal prosecution.
TrustyFiles believes strongly that we all must stamp out child pornography. TrustyFiles features child pornography file reporting.
To minimize or avoid inadvertent exposure to pornography or the illegal redistribution of such materials, or to report such files:
Viruses - Files downloaded from the Internet (including those obtained via P2P software) may contain viruses that can infect your computer. These files typically are mislabeled to disguise their true purpose.
To avoid viruses:
- TrustyFiles recommends iPhantom for effective gateway anti-virus blocking
- Install anti-virus software, keep it up-to-date, and configure TrustyFiles to use it.
- Be careful about what files you download.
Click here for information about how to use TrustyFiles to minimize or avoid computer viruses.
For more information about your computer security, visit the US Federal Trade Commission's Website and read the Commission's Consumer Alert .
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