P2P File Sharing

File sharing:

Uploading or providing digitally-stored data such as movies, music, eBooks, video games and so on through a computer network is considering file sharing.

P2P file sharing:

P2P file sharing is a new type of file sharing in which data is shared over a peer to peer network, without a central server, which was needed prior to this. Users can share any type of file. This can cause some issues in security, as files that aren't meant to be shared sometimes are by accident. P2P file sharing is common, though, because it is quick and easy.

Examples of P2P file sharing:

A lot of P2P file sharing occurs via BitTorrent, which makes up about 30-50% of all internet traffic, according to Chris Nuttall's "File sharing joins the mainstream." Files are broken into smaller pieces when shared over BitTorrent, making them quicker to download. BitTorrent and the like make it easy to acquire copyrighted materials without paying, which is illegal. Companies, unable to fight the widespread use of P2P file sharing effectively, instead look for ways to capitalize on P2P file sharing. The P2P file sharer Azureus partnered with BBS and Showtime to upload high def videos to their website using P2P.