Be careful who your friends are - online friends, that is. File sharers and would-be file sharers should beware of the dangers of using peer-to-peer programs, despite their safe appearance.

What is peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing? Peer-to-peer file sharing is a way for Internet users to connect their computers for the purpose of sharing information, including documents, music files, and just about anything else. Thus, a peer-to-peer file sharing program is a piece of software that allows the user to connect his or her computer to other users of the same program. The result is that all users of the same program may share files with one another over the Internet. These groups of connected users are generally referred to as file sharing networks.

There are many peer-to-peer file sharing programs available today. Some examples are Morpheus, Kazaa, KazaaLite, LimeWire, iMesh, and Grokster. Most of these programs can be downloaded for free from the Internet.

Not all peer-to-peer file sharing programs are created equal. Some of these programs also install software known as ‘spyware’ onto the computer along with the main file sharing program. Spyware can do things like change the homepage of a web browser, create pop-up advertisements, and also can allow others to see what websites the user is visiting. This is often the price of a ‘free’ program.

File sharing is a useful technology, but it is not without its dangers. Aside from the spyware problem, there are many other dangers that stem from using P2P programs. Among these dangers are viruses, Trojan horse programs, and most of all the possibility of a lawsuit from the owner of the copyrighted material that can be shared or downloaded via these programs.

Viruses are one of the foremost problems facing Internet users today. Viruses are programs that replicate themselves and spread via the internet, infecting any vulnerable computer that they find. Viruses can damage the infected computers as well as use them as staging points to wage war on other Internet users. For example: the MyDoom virus, which spread like wildfire in late January of this year, launched an attack on a website that ultimately rendered it unreachable.

But viruses are not the only threat to file sharers. Malicious programs called ‘Trojan horses’ are also lurking in seemingly harmless music, movie, and software files available for downloading through file sharing networks. As the name suggests, Trojan horse programs often act like an unlocked backdoor to a computer, leaving it wide open for anyone who tries to turn the doorknob. What makes a Trojan horse truly dangerous is that once someone opens the backdoor, that person can take complete control of the infected system, using it to do whatever they wish, which could include stealing personal information, scanning other computers for similar backdoors, sending unsolicited email, and performing countless other tasks.

Checking for viruses and Trojans is a simple task in comparison with what you may have to do if a virus or Trojan infects your computer. The first thing you will need is an Anti-Virus program. There are many different Anti-Virus

Congratulations to Craig Wood of McEwensville, PA. Craig was the winner of a Family 4-Pack of lift tickets to Blue Mountain Ski Area in Palmerton, PA.

Below are the questions, answers and the theme to January's Customer Contest.

1. What plant/flower is known mostly for being kissed underneath it and for its association with Christmas? (Mistletoe)
2. What company, founded in 1986, is a strong growing American company producing new innovative designs, applications and services by manufacturing winding shafts and chucks? (Goldenrod)
3. What is the name of the movie, directed by Paul Anderson in 1999, whose plot was nine peoples lives that were all connected and revolve around the game show "What Do Kids Know?" in one day?(Magnolia)

Theme: All state Flowers (Goldenrod - Nebraska, Magnolia - Louisiana, Mistletoe - Oklahoma)

- Give the correct answer to all three questions listed below.
- Then figure out the theme (what they all have in common).

To enter you must answer all three questions to the right and what the theme is between them. Send an e-mail to chat@corp.ptd.net with the following information:

your name, address, daytime phone, number (where we can contact you), three answers to the questions and the theme.

All entries must be received by 4/30/04.

1. What was the original date for New Year's Day, before 154 B.C.?
2. In the early Roman calendar what was the first day of spring, the spring equinox?
3. In France today, what day is called "Poisson d'Avril", children tease their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends' backs?

programs available, but the three most common are Norton, McAfee, and Trend Micro’s PC-Cillin. Any of these or other programs can be used to scan your entire computer for viruses, but they can also be used to check one or a handful of files. You will need to follow the instructions provided by your Anti-Virus program vendor to check your system or files for viruses and Trojans.

The last danger of P2P programs is the possibility of being sued for copyright infringement. Since the fall of Napster, the once widely-used free online music download source, the news has been saturated with stories of file sharers being sued by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sharing thousands of copyrighted songs via file sharing programs. But copyright infringement does not end with music. Movies, games, and software are all copyrighted as well. Sharing or downloading any of these types of materials can land a file sharer in a precarious situation. The bottom line for file sharing: if you do not own the copyright for the material, or do not own permission to distribute it, do not download or share it.

There are alternatives for those who want to download digital music without the possibility of a lawsuit. Many legitimate music download services allow users to download songs or entire albums for a small fee. Some of these services have monthly fees for usage, and others offer pay-as-you-go options. For example, the re-launched Napster offers single song downloads or full album downloads, as well as a monthly premium service.

Do not be fooled, though. There are some paid services that appear to be legitimate, but only to have the user download the same P2P programs that can be downloaded for free. These services are especially dangerous because users think they are legally accessing the material when they really only paid for the information to find the files being shared illegally by others.

The moral of this story: if you choose to swap files using Peer-to-Peer programs, check for viruses and Trojans before opening files, and avoid copyrighted material unless, of course, you own the copyright.

Any questions that you may have regarding peer-to-peer file sharing programs and the issues discussed here may be directed to the PenTeleData/Prolog Abuse Department. To protect your computer from viruses and Trojan horses you should contact an outside 3rd party vendor or our PenTeleData Integration Service Team for the latest protection from hackers or malicious program software.

Dear Valued Customers,

Thank you to everyone who submitted a Customer Satisfaction Survey either online or by mail. Your response has been excellent and your comments and suggestions are outstanding. We look forward to reviewing all of your feedback, which will help us improve your Internet experience. We are constantly striving to provide all our customers with the highest quality services throughout our entire coverage area. Your input will help us to improve our products and services for everyone including our schools, offices, courthouses and your home. Your feedback is very important to us!

We recently finished collecting and tallying the many survey responses and have drawn a winner for the new Dell system which includes a Dell All-in-One inkjet printer and a Kodak digital camera. The drawing was held on February 20, 2004 and the winner is Ed Spielman of Kunkletown, PA. Congratulations Ed and enjoy surfing, snapping digital photos and printing them with your new computer, digital camera and printer!

Thank you for your business and continued support.

Sincerely,
John Williams
General Manager
PenTeleData