Free pornography is a growing phenomenon. Many big sites have huge numbers of visitors and can generate loads of money through data collection and advertising.
Yet, despite the popularity of these sites, free pornography is not really “free”. There are many hidden costs associated with it. Some of these costs are more serious than others.
Peer-to-peer file sharing networks
The use of p2p file sharing programs to illegally acquire or distribute copyrighted or licensed materials is prohibited on all Lindenwood University computers and the university network. The unauthorized acquisition or distribution of such material may also subject individuals to civil and criminal liability. The University will use technological deterrents to prevent the usage of these applications on its network.
A p2p file-sharing network operates by connecting computers directly to one another rather than through a central server. In a typical network, users register media files they want to share with others by entering information about the file’s contents. This information is then shared with other network users, who will then search their own local computer for media files that match the query. Those that find the file will then transfer it to other online peers. The other online peers will then forward the query to any other interested parties.
These networks can have many problems, including the fact that they are difficult to manage. In addition to legal issues, they also pose security concerns. For example, they can be susceptible to malware, a type of software that infects computers with viruses or spyware and allows unauthorized access to personal information. In addition, they can cause the internet to slow down or even crash, and can expose your system to identity theft.
The use of P2P programs to share music and movies violates copyright laws. This is true whether you download the work illegally or receive a copy of it from another user. File-sharing programs and networks are commonly used to distribute copyrighted works such as music, movies, software, books, images, and TV shows without permission from their owners.
Some users believe that downloading copyrighted files to expand their media library is fair use. However, this is not a valid argument under the law. Using P2P software to distribute copyrighted work is a violation of the University’s IT6003 Acceptable Use of Computing Resources Policy and the Code of Student Conduct.
While system administrators do not proactively police file-sharing networks for violations, they will respond to formal legal complaints from organizations such as the Recording Industry Association of America and BayTSP (representing movie and television studios). Moreover, the use of these programs can interfere with the University’s computing services, slow down the network, and expose the machines to infection by viruses or spyware.