File-sharing technology is a common way for Internet users to exchange files. The term “file-sharing” comes from the fact that this technology allows different individuals to share files from their own personal computers. The most popular means of utilizing this technology is to make use of Peer-to-Peer [P2P] applications. These applications prove to be very useful. They, however, risk your computer to malicious codes that come from shared files from infected computers. This type of technology does not have built-in anti-virus protection such that downloading infected files damage your computer system. 
Moreover, unlike with email where you can easily tell if the source is trustworthy, P2P applications make this virtually impossible to verify. True enough, hackers have enjoyed this technology because of the fact that they are able to easily share files infected with spyware, viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Apart from this, P2P applications risk external access to your personal information. Identity theft is common to P2P application users and it is therefore important that you know how to protect your privacy before engaging in this activity.
Some P2P applications make you even more vulnerable to attacks by asking you to disable firewalls or open specific ports in order to receive the files you are looking for. Although it is true that some transmissions entail disabling some security measures, this act may easily grant hackers access to your computer. What is even more difficult with these types of applications is that some users tend to share pirated or copyrighted material. Once these files are downloaded, whether or not you knew the copies were illegal, you may be faced with fines or even harsher legal actions.
Although these risks cannot completely be removed, they can be minimized by making use of security utilities. The most common of which are the following:
1) Anti-Virus Software
An anti-virus program runs discreetly in your system. It detects viruses and takes corrective action. Although one can be careful with opening files from unknown sources and entering only reliable websites, not all viruses can be avoided that way. Viruses now are more devious which is why anti-virus programs are important. Some of these programs are freely distributed but the more dependable ones are purchased especially if you want regular updates of virus definitions. Some reliable anti-virus programs include BitDefender, Norton, and AVG.
2) Firewalls
Personal firewalls are usually enough but if your computer is running on a network, network firewalls must be installed or enabled. A personal firewall is generally a software application that protects a computer from unauthorized external access.
Now with files being stored on the cloud and shared with hundreds to thousands of individuals simultaneously, having an effective security system is a necessity. Check out the section about cloud computing at trendmicro.com and how they have developed software packages that not only keep your data protected, but scan the network for viruses constantly.
