The programs above allow you to access shared files online. Some of the files which are shared can be very useful and are legal, but there are also many harmful and illegal files. How do these different programs work, and what is the potential danger of using these types of programs?

The most common way for these programs to work is to transfer files from a server to your computer, this is File Sharing. In some case the files are innocent and can be useful on your computer, but many sites allow files that are illegal, such as movies and music files that have been pirated. They also can contain pornographic content, and are known to be riddled with virus, and spyware.

The other two types of file sharing P2P and Torrents allow individuals to make files on their computers accessible to people on the same network. These types of downloads will also allow uploads of files you have on your computer to other users on the network. Many times these networks are crawling with virus, and spyware, and once again you can also access pornographic content.

How does your client protect you from this kind of content? Currently if you are blocking the Misc category it will block the sites that you would need in order to down load the different P2P programs. In the Content Filter section of your client under the Application option you can choose to allow or block access to some of the more popular P2P networks. Beware if you do allow access to one or all of these types of programs we are unable to filter the individual files that are downloaded with the P2P programs, and you may be allowing porgraphic content, or files that contain viruses.

If you need to use one of these programs we highly recommend if you have a professional account to add the individual program you wish to access and then, just unblock that one program in the application section of your client. If you allow this type of program on your computer please make sure to monitor its use very carefully.