A short article in PCMag.com cites proof for something that many have long feared, suspected or already concluded: The P2P filesharing networks are becoming breeding grounds for viruses, trojan horses and backdoors.
In a study by ICSA Labs, a division of Tru Secure, 45 percent of files downloaded through KaZaA contained malware. ICSA predicts a significant increase in the amount of these malicious "gifts" deposited on filesharing networks during 2004.
Article comments
1 - TDavid
Another of the many reasons I haven't yet, and probably will never use KaZaa. Breeding ground is right!
With the many legitimate and affordable ways to access music legally on the web, there are very few legitimate reasons to use these P2P file sharing services.
Also services like ICQ and IRC allow sending and/or receiving files, there are ways to legally share files with friends and family without using P2P software.
2 - Eric Olsen
This, rather than the RIAA or MPAA, or U.S. government, will be their demise.
3 - Jim Carruthers
Now if we could do something about idiots armed with Outlook who open attachments in their email.
4 - Jonathan
Bittorrent sites are the way of the future, I hardly ever use Kazaa anymore it's too unreliable.
Most of the music I try and get there is that garbled crap with the screeching that the record labels release.
If only bittorent would spread beyond the warez sites now..
5 - jadester
the problem with internet-based filesharing networks, is that you will always have hackers (from the script kiddies to the real pros) trying to make use of them to plant malware on unsupecting users' pcs. It's because there's still so, so many easy targets using them. People who don't use virus checkers. people desperate to try and get hold of highly illegal leaked betas/alphas, cracks, hacks, and various other grey-area/downright illegal software. I think there has been a alrge increase in the number of people who are aware of such software being available on P2P (and similar) networks without being aware of the many pitfalls involved in trying to download such software, and that's the primary reason why the filesharing networks are full of easy targets for the malware planters.
6 - virus hunter
Hello