Canadians have a need for speed but lack fibre Jun 19, 2008
With the explosion of bandwidth-hungry habits such as peer-to-peer file sharing, video streaming and teleworking, experts are warning that Canadian ISPs are reaching the limits of their capacity under the current infrastructure. But while service providers in other countries are investing in new technology to increase capacity, Canadian telcos are trying to curb high-use customers through methods like throttling, or degrading the speed of clients who use peer-to-peer software. (Globe and Mail)
CRTC mulls rules for managing Internet traffic Jun 18, 2008
He said peer-to-peer file sharing applications such as BitTorrent sites could squeeze other applications such as e-mail or streaming video off the network if traffic wasn't managed. "So we give the peer-to-peer network their own dedicated lane ... and if we didn't, the network wouldn't work.". (Globe and Mail -- National)
Study: MP3 generation still a bunch of pirates Jun 17, 2008
Almost two thirds (63 per cent) of respondents surveyed said they download music on peer-to-peer file sharing networks, while 42 per cent allow others to download their music. More than half (58 per cent) admitted to copying music from friends' hard drives, while 95 per cent have copied music in some way. (ZDNet)
Broadband Providers Cap Monthly Usage Jun 16, 2008
But that was before , peer-to-peer file sharing, and digital movie downloads hit ... peer-to-peer file sharing. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
Downloading wars Jun 14, 2008
Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of the rise of peer-to-peer file sharing is Apple's chief executive officer Steve Jobs, who released the first iPods in October of 2001, just after Napster died. Record companies were terrified about lost revenue and efforts to create their own standalone digital music sites have failed miserably. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Who will pay as the Internet grows? Jun 10, 2008
The principle could get its first legal test this month in the United States should the Federal Communications Commission rule on whether to rebuke Comcast, a broadband and cable operator, for limiting some peer-to-peer file sharing during peak hours. Comcast has argued that it has the right to manage its growing network demands. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
Open Source Awards Accepting Nominations Jun 8, 2008
Last year's winners included the compression utility; , a free sound recording and editing utility; the peer-to-peer file sharing client; and , a free relational database management system. Click on over and nominate your favorite projects for this year's awards. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
CRTC to hold hearings on Internet regulation May 16, 2008
The CRTC also indicated in the final report that it plans to review the issue of Internet Service Providers, or ISPs, that are using special software programs to sniff out and slow down data packets associated with bandwidth-intensive services such as peer-to-peer file sharing. While the ISPs say such practices are necessary to prevent a small number of heavy-bandwidth users from slowing down the entire network, critics argue that "traffic shaping" activities are a threat to the concept of "net... (Toronto Star)
Managing Against Illegal Content May 13, 2008
Indeed, the recent announcement made by Comcast (nasdaq: - - ) and that they will work together to find a market-based solution to the network management challenges posed by the huge bandwidth demands of peer-to-peer file sharing is positive on two fronts. First, as FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell pointed out in his response to the announcement, it clearly demonstrates that the market is truly the best vehicle for finding solutions to problems in a rapidly changing digital environment. (Forbes)
File sharing infects 500000 computers May 10, 2008
A number of fake video and music files have been deliberately spread over peer-to-peer file sharing services like and. These were malicious MP3 and MPEG files triggering the download of an application which served ads to the infected computer. (IT PRO)
Youth leader charged with molesting boy Apr 20, 2008
Investigators found out about Wagner's porn collection in January, when a Pennsylvania state trooper saw clips on a peer-to-peer file sharing Web site, Tidler said. A subsequent investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force turned up enough evidence for investigators to get a federal warrant to search Wagner's Kenai home, according to Alaska State Troopers. (Anchorage Daily News)
Ofcom chief exec speaks out on re-planning 'Broadband Britain' Apr 18, 2008
"Its happening in Holland. They are talking about it in Germany. It is underway in Paris and Lyon and in the big American Cities, in much of Japan, Korea, in Hong Kong and in Singapore. It is being piloted by Virgin Media in Ashford and we are told they are rolling out more widely this year and next; BT are bringing it in at Ebbsfleet. And this morning we published proposals to help promote it in new housing and office developments. The it of course is the deployment of Next Generation, very... (PublicTechnology.net)
Traffic Shaping a la Bell Apr 13, 2008
In the past few weeks, "traffic shaping" has hit the news with Bell being in the midst of trying to limit peer-to-peer file sharing on its network. Traffic shaping is a technology that limits how much bandwidth (bandwidth can be loosely thought of as the speed of an Internet connection) a certain application can use. (Welland Tribune)
Bell targets 'bandwidth hogs' Apr 11, 2008
Like other Internet providers, Bell's network is strained by applications that use up a lot of bandwidth, like online video and peer-to-peer file sharing programs. Bell decided to ease network congestion by limiting the bandwidth of some applications during peak hours in the evening. (The Gazette (Montreal))
Most malicious code comes from Bell users, study finds Apr 9, 2008
April 8, 2008 at 10:12 PM EDT. MONTREAL Customers of the country's largest Internet service provider, Bell Canada, were hit by 17 per cent of the computer viruses, spam and other so-called "malicious activity" tracked in Canada during the last half of 2007 by cyber-security firm Symantec Inc.. (Globe and Mail -- Technology)
Comcast, BitTorrent Pass The Digital Peace Pipe Mar 29, 2008
After months of accusations, denials and foot stomping on the part of users, cable giant Comcast and the peer-to-peer file sharing company BitTorrent have reached an agreement that supports file exchanges on the Comcast broadband network. The issue surfaced last summer when Comcast subscribers began to notice a degradation in their BitTorrent uploads. (SmallBusinessComputing)
LimeWire Store Inks Distribution Agreement with BFM Digital Mar 28, 2008
Its signature products, LimeWire BASIC and LimeWire PRO, run on the decentralized Gnutella Network and are among the world's most popular peer-to-peer file sharing applications. Founded in 2000 by Chairman Mark Gorton, Lime Wire is a leader of innovative peer-to-peer software development and solutions in the file sharing industry. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Illegal downloading spawns computer monitoring Mar 27, 2008
According to Wilson, the Bradford Security System that all UTC network computers are linked to prevents peer-to-peer file sharing. "Students can't even get on peer to peer Web sites from campus," Wilson said. (The University Echo, TN)
Courting Industry in The Net Neutrality Debate Mar 20, 2008
The cable and telephone companies were not on hand to defend their position, which holds that the freedom to manage their networks is necessary to prevent a small minority of Internet users who consume a vastly disproportionate amount of bandwidth through peer-to-peer file sharing and other data-intensive applications from slowing connection speeds for other, more moderate users ... The Federal Communications Commission has been into allegations that Comcast from peer-to-peer file sharing site... (CIO Information Network)
Japan to boot P2P users Mar 19, 2008
If you thought that copyright infringement by peer-to-peer file sharing users was purely a western concern, think again. Japan's Telecom Service Association and the Telecommunications Carriers Association have joined forces to draft a set of procedures aimed at curbing the country's growing piracy rate. (bit-tech.net)
Net policy rests with least tech-smart Mar 18, 2008
At the moment traffic is growing in volume by about 50 per cent annually, with peer-to-peer file sharing accounting for more than half. Growth shows no sign of slowing and may even increase slightly given the likely coming shift of much television and video traffic to the internet. (Australian IT)
The Internet's Space Shortage Mar 16, 2008
Voice, video, and peer-to-peer file sharing are all applications that could become slower and more prone to bugs as the Internet becomes increasingly "natted," says the Internet Society's Daigle. That means the real problem with delaying a switch to IPv6 could be that the tangled configuration of NATs will drag down the network's performance, limiting what new applications can be created. (Forbes -- Technology)
Verizon To Aid File-Sharers Mar 15, 2008
Peer-to-peer file sharing, the primary vehicle for online piracy, has been as unpopular with Internet service providers as it has been popular with users. Providers have banned, blocked or slowed peer-to-peer traffic in their efforts to keep the flood of music, video, games and software from overwhelming their networks. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Technology)
File-sharers should get ready to pay, say experts Mar 10, 2008
The incidence of peer-to-peer file sharing in Canada in the last fiscal quarter is the highest in the world ... Some of North America's leading experts in peer-to-peer file sharing on the Internet are convinced that sooner rather than later maybe within a couple of years we won't be downloading music, movies and TV shows for free. (Toronto Star)
MoneyTip: Eight tips to avert ID theft during tax time Mar 9, 2008
Configure all peer-to-peer file sharing programs to disable the sharing of your personal folders so identity thieves can't download your tax return. 3. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Canada stuck in slow lane on ISP traffic shaping debate Mar 7, 2008
For example, a Rogers' executive told an industry meeting last fall that the company traffic shapes by limiting the percentage of bandwidth available for peer-to-peer file sharing. Notwithstanding that acknowledgment, the company continues to shroud its practices in secrecy. (Canada.com)
Keep hackers out of your return Mar 4, 2008
-- If using tax preparation software such as , make sure you safeguard your PC. Hackers may be able to get into your tax documents if you use some peer-to-peer file sharing programs or don't have a firewall. -- If you photocopy your tax return, make sure the copier doesn't store the image in its memory. (USA Today -- Tech)
Comcast Backed By NBC, Viacom In Network Neutrality Dispute Mar 2, 2008
Comcast has been accused by public interest groups, academics and software companies of slowing and even blocking subscribers' access to peer-to-peer file sharing applications on the Internet ... "Simply put, there is overwhelming and undisputed evidence that massive copyright infringement takes place on peer-to-peer file sharing networks and that BitTorrent and other P2P technologies are today used primarily to facilitate the exchange of a tidal wave of illegal content," said NBC Universal in... (CNNMoney.com)
Apple Hits Second Place in US Retail Music Sales Mar 1, 2008
While the percentage of the Internet population involved in peer-to-peer file sharing peaked last year at 19 percent, the number of files each user downloaded increased. Not surprisingly, music sharing continued to grow among the young market. (PC World)
Canadas P2P download distraction Feb 28, 2008
net - not the lamescream media. Canada s P2P download distraction. (p2pnet.net)
The FCC, Comcast, and Net Neutrality Feb 26, 2008
As Comcast Executive Vice-President David Cohen began his remarks at a hearing held by the Federal Communications Commission at Harvard Law School on Feb. 25, he knew he was in for a rough day. "It's a pleasure to be here as a participant and hopefully not as the main course for your meal.". (BusinessWeek)
FCC Hits The Road To Hear Evidence On Web Network Management Feb 25, 2008
Specifically, the cable and broadband giant is accused of slowing or blocking access to peer-to-peer file sharing application BitTorrent. These types of software allow users to share user-generated or other video content online over an Internet network. (CNNMoney.com)
Yo Quiero Antivirus. Malware Goes Multilingual Feb 24, 2008
In Japan, peer-to-peer file sharing networks are extremely popular, and thus popular targets for theft. Not of money but the contents of the user's hard drive. (eSecurityPlanet)
Malware's New Mantra: Think Globally, Steal Locally Feb 22, 2008
The Japanese, for instance, are heavy users of a peer-to-peer file sharing program called Winny. Its success has lead to Winny-specific malware. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
U.S. orders shutdown of Web site specializing in leaks Feb 21, 2008
They have also distributed copies of the bank information on their own sites and via peer-to-peer file sharing networks. In a separate order, also issued last Friday, White ordered Wikileaks to stop distributing the bank documents. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
Which is the Fastest Software for Free Music Downloads? Limewire, Frostwire, Bearshare or MP3 Rocket? Feb 21, 2008
Toronto, Ontario (PRWEB) Feburary 21, 2008 -- MP3 Rocket is a peer-to-peer file sharing (P2P) client for the Java Platform, which uses the Gnutella network to locate and share music, movie and image files. Released under the GNU General Public License, MP3 Rocket is free software and is distributed under terms of the GPL.. (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
U.S. judge orders Wikileaks Web site shut down Feb 20, 2008
They have also distributed copies of the sensitive bank information on their own sites and via peer-to-peer file sharing networks. In a separate order, also issued on Friday, Judge White ordered Dynadot and Wikileaks to stop distributing the bank documents. (International Herald Tribune)
Does Legislating LimeWire Use Make Sense? Feb 16, 2008
A Congressional panel held hearings this week on a proposed law that would, in part, ensure peer-to-peer file sharing applications do not compromise the security of federal government computers. The law is H.R. 4791, the. (SmallBusinessComputing)
MPA Members Sue Chinese File Sharing Network Provider Feb 16, 2008
All six members of the Motion Picture Association (MPA) have filed copyright infringement suits in China against Shenzhen Xunlei Networking Technology (Xunlei), a popular peer-to-peer file sharing network operator, the MPA said Friday ... Xunlei offers downloads of popular peer-to-peer file sharing software and from its Web site. (PC World)
Video traffic reshaping the Net Feb 13, 2008
Arbor Networks puts peer-to-peer file sharing at 37 percent of Internet traffic, and much of that is probably illegally transferred movies. If AT&T does implement such a filter, it would cross another important line for an ISP: looking at the content its customers transmit. (CNN -- Tech)
ISPs byte more than they can chew Feb 12, 2008
Arbor Networks puts peer-to-peer file sharing at 37 per cent of Internet traffic, and much of that is probably illegally transferred movies. If AT&T does implement such a filter, it would cross another important line for an ISP: looking at the content its customers transmit. (Globe and Mail)
Data loss prevention from the inside out Feb 8, 2008
Unauthorized use of Internet protocols and services -- such as IM, peer-to-peer file sharing, blogging, social networking sites and unauthorized uploading (FTP) of data to Web sites -- is a major contributor to data security incidents and should be controlled via a detailed policy. The use of contractors and outside consultants usually requires the creation of new user credentials. (Search Security, MA)
House approves MPAA-backed college antipiracy rules Feb 8, 2008
com, University of California Assistant Vice President A. Scott Sudduth said he believes the peer-to-peer file-sharing requirements strike "a reasonable balance between institutions' ability to educate and inform students of their responsibilities regarding copyright law, and institutions' inability to monitor content or control the ever-changing technologies associated with peer-to-peer file sharing.". Executives at Educause, which represents college network managers, argue that the additional... (CNET News.com)
Danish judge orders ISP to block access to Pirate Bay Feb 6, 2008
Through BitTorrent a peer-to-peer file sharing protocol it helps surfers swap often copyright-protected music, movie and game files. The site says that since no copyrighted material is stored on Pirate Bay's servers and no exchange of files actually takes place there, it cannot be held responsible for what material is being exchanged. (Globe and Mail -- Technology)
Danish ISP shuts access to file-sharing Pirate Bay Feb 5, 2008
Through BitTorrent -- a peer-to-peer file sharing protocol -- it helps surfers swap often copyright-protected music, movie and game files. Share. (Reuters)
Pirate Bay defiant despite criminal charges Feb 4, 2008
" Over the past decade, Hollywood and the record companies have won a series of legal battles against online file-sharing services, starting with the original Napster. Court victories against other sites, including Grokster, Morpheus and Kazaa, followed. Some of these have reinvented themselves as legitimate businesses. Today in Technology & Media Last autumn, the recording companies succeeded in shutting down Oink, an invitation-only free music service. The music industry last year also managed... (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
The Pirate Bay defiant despite criminal charges Feb 3, 2008
Envisional, a research firm in Cambridge, England, estimates that nearly 18 million people are connected to peer-to-peer file sharing services at any one time, up from about 15 million a year ago. Because the latest generation of file-sharing systems is more efficient than older programs, the increase in the amount of material being exchanged is probably even larger, said David Price, head of piracy intelligence at Envisional. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Virtual cure closer forupgrade headaches Feb 2, 2008
Qtrax offers over 25 million songs for download and was hoping that this deal would signal the shift from peer-to-peer file sharing and music piracy to a revenue-generating system that would benefit record companies, operators and clients. Qtrax chief executive Allan Klepfisz stated that the recording companies would get a share of the advertising revenue and added: "Customers expected to get music for free, but didn't want to use illegal sites. It's been a long trek to this point for... (Asia Times Online)
Startups rush to pave way for Web video Jan 29, 2008
To do this, users will take help from other users, in a manner similar to peer-to-peer file sharing programs like BitTorrent and KaZaa. Each file that is uploaded gets distributed in small chunks among the computers of many users (who won't notice the chunks or be able to look at them). (MSNBC -- Technology)
The politics of dancing Jan 27, 2008
Normally, I'm a big fan of downloading the latest sounds from peer-to-peer file sharing sites such as Soulseek. However, I thought that just this once I would assuage my guilt over my copyright crimes and make a purchase. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
Comcast Responds to FCC Probe of Web Management Jan 26, 2008
The FCC probe that positioned Comcast as blocking peer-to-peer file sharing Internet transmissions by BitTorrent users. Comcast said it was only managing the flow of large files, especially upstream traffic, to minimize network congestion. (Multichannel News)
AT&T may begin monitoring online traffic Jan 24, 2008
Companies are also rushing to utilize peer-to-peer file sharing for legal distribution of video and game content. Stephenson said he still sees value in peer-to-peer networks despite some problems. (MSNBC -- Crime)
Time Warner's tiered broadband Jan 19, 2008
And trying to target one type of application, such as illegal peer-to-peer file sharing, raises political issues, he added. "There's no justification for blocking legitimate uses of peer-to-peer," Seery said. (InfoWorld)
FCC questions Comcast about Internet filter Jan 16, 2008
Peer-to-peer file sharing is a common way to illegally exchange copyright files. But many businesses also are rushing toward it for legal distribution of video and game content. (Globe and Mail -- Technology)
Crystal ball 2.0 Jan 15, 2008
The desire to deliver all those streaming videos, peer-to-peer file sharing, music downloads and online games will have consumers pleading for more bandwidth. But those applications are just the beginning. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Technology)
FCC Opens Net Neutrality Probe of Comcast Jan 15, 2008
The FCC probe follows Associated Press articles positioning Comcast as blocking peer-to-peer file sharing Internet transmissions by BitTorrent users. The articles triggered complaints at the FCC that Comcast violated the agency's principles, one of which states that consumers are entitled to run applications and use services of their choice, subject to the needs of law enforcement. (Multichannel News)
FCC to investigate complaints Comcast hindered file sharing Jan 9, 2008
Peer-to-peer file sharing is a common way to illegally exchange copyright files, but companies are also rushing to utilize it to legally distribute videos and games. If providers hinder or control that traffic, it makes them important gatekeepers. (Boston Globe)
12/26: Mydoom.BD Worm Drops Files, Injects Threads into Process Dec 27, 2007
It propagates via peer to peer file sharing. It also sends gathered information to a predetermined email address using its own Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) engine. (eSecurityPlanet)
Exploring enterprise policy management options Dec 19, 2007
Policy management products, however, can also be used to establish a blacklist that prevents certain applications from running, such as specific games, peer-to-peer file sharing programs and malware. Of course, to create an effective blacklist, you'll either have to work hard to create your own, or subscribe to a service that provides signatures for programs whose execution you may want to block. (Search Security, MA)
Keep security advice current Dec 7, 2007
Tell them how many music networks and peer-to-peer file sharing programs are big agents of infection. Remind them that they should not install software without prior approval. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
More Europeans are going online Dec 4, 2007
One in two people use an Internet search engine while 15 percent of individuals use the net to make phone calls and 13 percent use peer-to-peer file sharing software to swap movies and music, according to the survey based on national figures for the first three months of 2007. Some 54 percent of households in the EU's 27 nations had access to the Internet, compared to 49 percent in the first quarter of 2006. (Herald Online, SC -- Technology)
USU student targeted for file-sharing Dec 2, 2007
The thing that concerns me about this whole scenario is that despite the information we try to provide, I don t think that students understand that when they use a peer-to-peer file sharing program, they become a provider (of free music), he said. That is going to bite them. (Logan Herald Journal, UT)
Blocking BitTorrent Is Sue-tastic Nov 20, 2007
Reporter's Notebook: Who's at greater risk for potential embarrassing exposure here, Comcast or the BitTorrent downloaders mad at the company. Absolutely," von Lohmann told me an interview. "Is this something customers would want to know about. (Datamation)
Anti-P2P college bill advances in House Nov 16, 2007
WASHINGTON--The U.S. House of Representatives has taken a step toward approving a Hollywood-backed spending bill requiring universities to consider offering "alternatives" and "technology-based deterrents" to illegal peer-to-peer file sharing ... But in an earlier draft of that amendment, Reid also wanted to require the Secretary of Education to devise a list of the 25 schools with the highest levels of illegal peer-to-peer file sharing, based on entertainment industry statistics. (CNET News.com)
Comcast Sued Over Web Interference Nov 15, 2007
Hart's lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Alameda County Superior Court, alleges Comcast misleads customers by promising "mind-blowing" speeds and "unfettered access" to the Internet in advertisements while hindering the use of certain applications such as peer-to-peer file sharing. It seeks unspecified money damages. (ABC News -- Wire)
