Computer Crime Division
File Sharing risks

How File-sharing Works

File-sharing programs are often called peer-to-peer programs. The most notorious of these programs was called Napster and there are many other similar programs (see list below). Files-sharing programs work by making your computer files available for upload by anyone else using similar software. You can tap the computer files of anyone else as well. Most of these programs are used to share music, video or software files -- usually in violation of copyright law. While peer-to-peer sharing technology holds promise for lawful uses, it is currently used most often to illegally share music files with large numbers of people.

Here is a list of some of the more popular file-sharing programs. You may want to look to see if any of these are installed on your computer.

Windows Programs

• Aimster
• Audio Galaxy
• Bearshare
• Gnotella
• Gnucleus
• Grokster
• iMesh
• KaZaa
• Limewire
• Morpheus
• SwapNut
• WinMX

Mac Programs

• Aimster
• Limewire
• Mactella