P2P File Sharing

File sharing is the act of sharing a digital something over the internet. These can include, but are not limited to, all forms of media, such as videos and images, computer programs etc. Generally these files are transferred from storage sites online, or from physical tools, such as CDs and USB drives.

Nowadays, there are numerous ways for users to get their files. One of the more prominent ways is through P2P sharing, which stands for Peer-2-peer. Simply put, Peer-2-peer essentially means that peers open up their resources and, using them, "collaborate" together to create a connection. Through this, they can transfer files and other things quite seamlessly.

An example of this is the BitTorrent program, which has become immensely popular, and also a hot-spot for illicit activities.

BitTorrent lets users upload files, by creating torrents, which other users can activate and download. The more people that are actively downloading (and then uploading, or seeding), the faster the speeds. (Thompson)

However, the very nature of the program allows users to share files that may not be legal, such as ripped TV shows and other programs, and there have been many moves by all types of groups, including Internet Service Providers, to limit and curb this behavior.

Since the downfall of Kazaa, users have switched to the easier-to-use BitTorrent, and there are hundreds of sites loaded with torrents for users to download.

Thompson, Clive. "The BitTorrent Effect ." Wired. Wired, Jan. 2005. Web. 28 Apr. 2015. <http://archive.wired.com/wired/archive/13.01/bittorrent.html>.