75 percent of college aged people have participated in free online file sharing, as this activity has gained immense popularity over the past decade. File sharing is done through various services, and it is otherwise known as P2P, or Peer to Peer, file sharing. Even though millions of people around the world have participated in free music and private video sharing, there are risks involved. Weighing the advantages and disadvantages of free online file sharing can help you decide if it is an activity that you want to be a part of.

Advantages. As the name implies, free online file sharing allows you to share and receive various content over the internet. This can include free online document sharing, music sharing, video sharing, and video game sharing. P2P sharing can also provide users with various software updates as well. When a user uploads content to a file sharing site, other users are able to download it for free. In addition to receiving the content at no cost, users are also able to pick and choose what they want to download, as well as download as much content to their computer as it can hold.

Disadvantages. Even though some people believe that sharing files is no different than borrowing a CD or DVD from a friend, this activity is not always legal. With copyright laws in place, file sharing can encroach upon these laws. Since many artists earn royalties each time one of their songs or movies is purchased, they are losing money when people obtain their work for free. That is why both bands and movie studios have attempted to file lawsuits against those who participate in file sharing. In addition, file sharing can also be harmful to your computer. Many files contain malware, spyware, and other viruses that can not only ruin the functionality of your computer, but also allow your personal information to be leaked.

Before participating in free online file sharing, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of doing it. While you can download many songs, movies, and other documents for free, it also opens the door to lawsuits, fines, and computer viruses. By evaluating the importance of the advantages and the severity of the risks, you can more easily decide if free online file sharing is something you want to be a part of.