Peer-to-Peer Networking (P2P) Technology and CASR This joint CASR
could be implemented in an environment of networked databases and
distributed file sharing. Such an environment is emerging with the advent of a
group of Internet-based peer-to-peer distributed software alternatives such
as Napster ( http:// www.napster.com ), Gnutella (http://gnutella.wego.com),
InfoSearch ( http://infosearch.com ), Freenet ( http://www.freenet.com ), and
Pointera ( http://www.spinfrenzy.com ). Peer-to-peer file distribution
technology allows users to search for data on other people’s computers.
Although these software products are not the same, the technology’s main
features are its ability to facilitate distributed file sharing, ad hoc networking,
and distributed search.4 These features make the location of files irrelevant;
data belong to the entire network rather than to a particular computer (Oram
2000). The importance of peer-to-peer file sharing in the future is nicely
summarized by Waters (2001). This type of technology has enormous
implications for CASR. In the world of peer-to- peer networking, companies
and analysts can earmark the data for access by numer-ous networked
users and any user can access numerous interpretations of a business
report and share financial analyses of Company XYZ by Analyst A, Analyst
B, and Company XYZ itself.
Email Threads
Web surfers trading free music and other digital goods over one of the Web's
most popular file-swapping networks are sharing much more: sensitive data
files that could expose them to identity theft. One of several file-swapping
networks coat-tailing on Napster's success, Gnutella allows people to open
the contents of their computers to create a virtual swap meet for MP3s,
software, video and text files. A recent casual search of the system revealed
scores of files that could compromise the service's users.
Like Napster and other peer-to-peer programs, Gnutella allows people to
open bits or all of their hard drives to other people on the Net, sharing or
swapping files with the simple click of a mouse.
But where Napster limits its sharing solely to music, Gnutella supports any
type of file. People downloading one of several software programs that tap
into the Gnutella network can specify which folders, directories or drives they
want to leave open to the public.
Security
Putting these would-be file swappers at risk are electronic markers, known
as cookies, left automatically on their computers through Netscape or
Internet Explorer Web browsers. Web sites place cookies as a way to identify
surfers, using them to create personalized Web sites or accounts at
shopping sites such as Amazon.com.
"This not a good thing," said Richard Smith, chief technical officer for the
Privacy Foundation, an online privacy watchdog group. "All someone would
have to do is take these stolen cookies...and they would be able to
masquerade as someone else."
Ordinarily these files are private. But under certain settings in Gnutella,
people can open their hard drives indiscriminately to the network, giving
anyone who cares to look access to their recent Net history. At best, this can
provide a potentially embarrassing look into a person's private Web surfing
habits. But unscrupulous individuals could also use these files to log into
other people's Web accounts, possibly even gleaning passwords and
usernames that could give access to bank accounts or other financial data.
When you open a hard drive to other people For careless or unsophisticated
computer users, this can be dangerous. Accidentally opening a full drive,
instead of just a single folder, could expose private documents or system
files to anyone who takes the time to look. One Gnutella user interviewed
said he had recently downloaded somebody's private diary, for example.