P2P

File sharing is the practice of distributing digital media access electronically in a network such as videos, music, files, data etc. It allows a number of people to view the contents, copy it or download it. The most common file sharing is P2P, also known as Peer-to-Peer. P2P is a network that provides access to contents for anyone on that network. Most contents are a reproduction of applications. Some examples of P2P file sharing sites are PirateBay and BitTorrent.

BitTorrent is one of the most successful P2P file sharing programs. It lets users "upload and download enormous amounts of data, files that are hundreds or thousands of times bigger than a single MP3." In addition, "BitTorrent traffic accounts for more than one-third of all data sent across the internet" (Thompson). This is to show how incredible filing sharing is used. Users can receive free movies, songs and software easily by using P2P.

However, most P2P contents are copyrighted contents and it illegal to share to others, which then causes a privacy problem. Warner Brothers' "The Dark Knight" movie made an antipiracy campaign but still illegal copies were being shared and downloaded by more than millions of users (Stelter). Because the people who post such contents are anonymous, it is hard to do anything about it. In addition, YouTube, that provides live streaming, has encountered many legal disputes from copyrighted owners.

Overall, P2P is a great way find useful contents over the internet for free but the negative alternative is that it causes privacy problems.  

Work Cited

Stelter, Brian, and Brad Stone. "Digital Pirates Winning Battle With Major Hollywood Studios." The New York Times. The New York Times, 04 Feb. 2009. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.

Thompson, Clive. "The BitTorrent Effect ." Wired 13.01: The BitTorrent Effect. Wired, Jan. 2005. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.