Attacks on Peer-to-peer networks

Attacks that exploit the characteristics of a P2P network include the following:

Poisoning

Placing damaged or corrupted files disguised as legitimate content for other users to download

Denial of Service

Infecting the system with a worm or virus that causes the entire network to slow down to a crawl or stop completely.

Defection

Users or automated systems that siphon content off the network without providing any resources in return.

Malware

The P2P software application itself is programmed with malicious software such as spyware that reports back to the network the online activities of people using the system.

Filtering

System administrators block the passage of P2P data through their networks.

Identity attacks

Determining the identity of users on the network in order to harass or attack them with legal sanctions.

Spamming

The massive widespread dissemination of unsolicited advertising or any other form information through the network.

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