P2P file sharing
Peer-to-peer (P2P) services can be a great way to share music, software and movies, but if the owner of that media does not want them shared, you could be breaching copyright laws.
Most files on P2P are not good quality, so it’s worth checking out services where you can purchase files to make sure that what you’re getting is legit.
Know the basics
- Check that the content is legally available.
- Some content is licensed be available for free, but much of what is available on P2P networks is not.
- Try the legal file-sharing/download sites—you’ll get better quality files this way.
Protect yourself
- Check your settings. You may be sharing everything on your hard drive, including personal files!
- Be wary. Many files on P2P networks are infected with viruses or are mislabelled, and they can contain offensive or illegal material.
If you want to talk about a problem, you can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, visit Kids Helpline or contact the Cybersmart Online Helpline service.