Napster spin-offs put networks in danger

Analysts have warned that a new range of programs based on Napster could be a real threat to corporate networks.

Users of the Napster program, which allows MP3 files to be swapped, open up their hard drives to other users who can only download music files.

But unofficial clients for Napster such as Wrapster and new programs such as Gnutella would allow users to download any file from a machine.

Frost & Sullivan research analyst, Rick Applewhite, said: "Wrapster can make any file look like an MP3 file, no matter what kind it is. This could be a real threat to corporate networks."

Applewhite said new programs allowing any file to be swapped also presented security risks, as they would not be easy to shut down or regulate. "With Napster, files still go through a centralised server, which is easy to shut down. But Gnutella is a true peer-to-peer system and you only go through a centralised server to be introduced to the other user," he said.

There are also concerns that hackers could modify programs for swapping files and offer them as downloads to unsuspecting users. Carey Gray, research analyst at the Butler Group, said: "A hacker could advertise a Napster download that appeared to be genuine but had been modified to allow other access to a network. The only way around this is for network managers to control the downloading and installation of programs."

See also:

Legal MP3 sharing system developed

US startup Gotchaport.com is targeting the Napster community with a service that allows users to legally share music, pictures and documents over the web.  04 Oct 2000

Like this story? Spread the news by clicking below:

 del.icio.us     Digg this     reddit!