Dangerous Software : Peer to Peer

Believe it or not, but peer-to-peer software is probably one of the most dangerous items of software you could possibly run on your computer. With this type of software the risk is not only in downloading material that has a copyright on it, but in either intentionally or unintentionally serving the same software. So, if caught, you will be prosecutable on three different counts, namely acquiring illegal software, owning illegal software and distributing illegal software. Each carries with it its own penalty.

But more importantly, peer-to-peer (or P2P, as the industry knows it) runs on insecure lines and protocols which could be intercepted by crackers (the proper term for those intent on gaining access to your system or information). P2P software is usually the easiest way for a cracker to gain entry into an other secure network. One particular way of doing this is by incorporating scripts which are tagged onto the files downloaded by the P2P user who is usually unaware of this malicious addition. This addition is usually, though not empirically, referred to as the payload. Once the payload has been downloaded all that remains is for it to be activated. Once activated, the script "phones home" and then the rest is history, so too is your data and your security. If you are connected to the network at you place of employment you should receive a hostile visit from your local System Administrator (SysAdmin). If you do this on your home computer, you may not realize for some time that your computer has been compromised. Sure, the use of an antivirus and antispyware is a very good first step, however, many compromises do not appear as spyware or a virus. Furthermore, as mentioned before, no antivirus protects you against all computer viruses running rampant on the internet.Likewise for spyware.

If you have been compromised, you will need an entirely new arsenal at your disposal, such as rootkit revealers and hidden process detectors. You may think that you do not use any P2P software, but SKYPE is just that and only secondly is it a way of making telephone calls on the internet. While you are phoning someone you are using very little bandwidth, but SKYPE uses the remainer of your bandwidth by making your computer a SUPERNODE. Nodes are essentially computers that are used to offer the quickest path between two computers that wish to transfer files to from one to the other. SUPERNODES are similar except that they are used by many computers to transfer files to many computers. In geek speak, your computer has become a hub, which means all incoming data will be broadcast on all connections made to your computer. Suddenly, your bandwidth diminishes, your storage space is reduced, your memory is clogged up and you experience a dramatic drop in the performance of your computer which only drops more as time passes. Does this sound familiar? I sincerely hope not! Yet if it does, You will need to perform the following in the following order to have anyhope of regaining control:
1) Disconnect your computer from all networks immediately,
2) Backup your data completely because you may lose it or have to proceed to step 6 below,
3) Remove ALL P2P software completely,
4) Run full antivirus and antispyware scans, and particularly not if anything odd happens (such as not completing the full scan, parts of the antivirus not working, or anything else).
5) Restart MS Windows system in safe mode and do step 4 above again,
6) Wipe your Hard Disk Drive and reinstall, from scratch, your operating system and non P2P software. Although this is here given as the final option and last resort, it is infact the best option from the start, however, it may not always be the most practical option.

The simplest solution is to avoid P2P software entirely. There is no safe P2P software, even if you use encryption. For further reading visit
http://www.roseindia.net/community/spyware/dangers_of_peer_to_peer_systems.shtml


Remember to always be cautious, and exercise common sense! This alone will make a huge difference.