Meet Blockster, the smartest safety alarm available for your home computer.
The most popular software programs today aren’t always sold in stores or on the web. They’re free. And you may be running one on your computer now and not even know it.
Peer-to-peer programs, or P2P, allow individuals to connect with one another to share files and information. Teenagers and children most frequently seek out P2P sites to illegally download movies, music and software from the Internet.
While your child is ripping the latest music off the Web, hackers could be breaking into your computer.
So enticing is the material offered by P2P programs that users expose themselves to the potential hazards of downloading files from strangers, outside the boundaries of protected websites and servers.
When an artist records a song, or a studio commits to making a movie, they expect to earn money from the sale of a CD, movie ticket or DVD. Copyright law protects artists from the theft of their creations, establishing stiff penalties for the unlicensed distribution or reproduction of music, movies, software and books.
The digital revolution has made illegal downloading a tempting crime. Across the Internet, peer-to-peer networks feature the latest music and movies that can be downloaded for free. Online piracy allows users worldwide to assemble libraries of unlicensed media. It's now possible to possess every song ever recorded by an artist, without ever actually legally purchasing one of their CDs.
P2P downloads are often illegal.
The Record Industry Association of America (RIAA) is aggressively filing civil copyright lawsuits in the courts targeting computer users that are “seen” downloading free P2P music. These people, usually teenagers, are uncovered by one of several “detective” firms hired to monitor the Internet for file transfers. The RIAA has filed over 3,400 lawsuits, typically demanding settlements of over $1,000 from each individual sued.
P2P downloads are often dangerous.
P2P is the path hackers take to gain access to your system and passwords. The best of these programs defy detection, causing your computer to slow to a crawl, freeze, or reveal its secrets to criminals.
P2P file transfers create a hidden path around Internet filters. While these filters might be effective at preventing pornography, objectionable imagery and inappropriate language from entering the household via websites, but they do not stop those downloads from transferring to your computer as P2P files.
Blockster works in the background, protecting your home.
To use Blockster, you simply need 5 minutes to download the application onto any computer running Windows® XP or 2000. Answer a few quick questions, and the program is personalized. P2P and chat programs will not open without the proper password.
Only P2P and chat programs are monitored by Blockster.
The largest and most up-to-date index of P2P programs.
Even programs downloaded before Blockster’s installation are detectable by our patent-pending algorithms.
Blockster cannot be fooled.
Any attempt to override Blockster’s advanced security features--including hacking the database or changing the password-- will generate an email alert to the parent.
Blockster will also issue an email report when a P2P program is launched, allowing parents the opportunity to monitor access to P2P sites and technology.
We answer the questions hackers don't want you to ask.
On our FAQs page, you'll find simple definitions of technical terms. Go to In the News to read about the startling connection between pornography and P2P use.