If you share copyrighted files on peer-to-peer networks, it's almost certain that the RIAA and/or MPAA is monitoring your actions, according to a new study, meaning that it's only a matter of time or luck until The Man comes a-knockin'. (That's not supposed to be Him to the right, by the way... the cat-and-mouse metaphor comes later.)
To do this, The Man creates fake P2P accounts that search for shared files and record what you're sharing. These fake users often have the same range of IP addresses, which P2P blocklist applications (Bluetack, PeerGuardian, Trusty Files) compile into a list that P2P programs ignore, safeguarding you against unwanted scrutiny from RIAA and MPAA bots.
A new study from Anirban Banerjee, Michalis Faloutsos, and Laxmi Bhuyan of the University of California says thatusers who do not use one of the apps "will almost certainly bemonitored by blocklisted IPs." In fact, a full 12-17% of all IPs thatcontacted the researchers' computers were on the lists -- i.e. possiblyfrom the RIAA/MPAA/etc -- although the study also says that most of theblocklisted IPs belong to government or corporate organizations, and that only a few belonged to record labels.
TorrentFreak wondered how effective these apps are, and asked "anexpert in the field, who worked with several anti-piracy organizations" about them. He said that they help, but arenot completely effective. Once the RIAA realizes it's on a blocklist, it probablyjust switches to a new set of IPs, and the cat-and-mouse gamecontinues.
As for what the government's doing monitoring P2P share folders, that's anyone's guess.
(via torrentfreak; cat-and-mouse image from art.com)
