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Common problems
Some file-sharing services allow their users to exchange any kind
of digital file, so text, audio, picture, video and software program
files can be found listed. Many of the files shared in this way
will be copies of recordings that are illegal to exchange with other
people under copyright law.
We now know that many of these services have been used to distribute
and share files such as pornographic and violent video clips. A
genuinely innocent search of the index by a youngster looking for
music files by a popular artist can still result in them seeing
a list of files with obscene names. The list might also include
files which have an innocuous name but which actually contain potentially
harmful material, resulting in a shock for the user when they open
the file.
Computer viruses may easily be spread to your computer in this
way, as you are taking files from unknown sources, so it would be
important to use anti-virus software to check and scan files that
you acquire from file-sharing.
Schools and libraries will usually deny pupils the ability to do
file-sharing, by preventing the installation of file-sharing software
on their computers.
At home, parents may not know that their children are using file-sharing
services. Look for the names or icons of the common software programs
on the computer screen and in the computer's list of programs. Talk
to your child about what they know about the programs and whether
they have ever used them.
Internet software filters for home use do not usually block access
to file-sharing applications.
Parents who use filters should contact the technical support services
of their software and determine whether adjustments can be made
to limit or block file sharing.
Another risk is that unauthorised access to files on your computer
cannot be completely ruled out. When you join one of these services
you specify which directories on your computer hard disk may be
seen or copied by other users of the service. Given the insecurity
of some operating systems and software applications, there is no
guarantee that an external user cannot access directories and files
on your computer that you would rather keep confidential.
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