Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Networks exist where groups or “peers” of computer systems are linked to each other through the Internet for a common purpose usually with a common application directing their use. Files can be shared directly between systems on the P2P network without the need for a central server. In other words, each computer on a P2P network becomes a file server of sorts, while also acting as a client. 

P2P software like Kazaa, Napster, and LimeWire was once a standard application on many people’s home computers. These programs allowed users to swap large files over the internet, typically illegal music and movies. Rather than using central servers for this purpose, they used their worldwide user base’s computers as both client and server (P2P). However, these P2P applications fell out of common usage as copyright owners were able to identify participants in these P2P networks and began cracking down on illegal file sharing. Today, a more anonymous P2P network called BitTorrent has largely replaced these older networks.  Again, today, many Torrents, as they are called, serve illegal file content such as recently released movies and music.

While there are legitimate uses for P2P networking, the file-sharing aspect raises both intellectual property and cybersecurity concerns. Any time people are sharing music, movies, software, or any other proprietary content, questions of intellectual property and copyright laws surface. In fact, some internet service providers have attempted to ban torrents and other P2P applications, despite the valid and perfectly legal functions P2P can serve.

Secondly, with the anonymity P2P computer owners has improved, allowing them to hide their identity, CyberHoot has reported that some of the downloaded files now contain malware and are infecting unsuspecting users.