The dark side of file sharing
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| Some things, like the far (or dark) side of the moon shown here, are not always visible to us. Viruses or other unseen dangers can lurk in unknown or untrustworthy file content. |
Fermilab requires extremely high-speed network connections to accomplish its scientific mission. The CMS experiment alone moves data back and forth between Fermilab and CERN at speeds of up to 10 gigabits (10 billion bits) of data per second. Much of this data transfer can be characterized as file sharing, where data files originating at one site are copied to another site in order to share them with a worldwide collaboration of researchers.
But there is also a dark side to such file sharing. The most obvious danger occurs when a Fermilab user downloads a file containing unknown, and possibly untrustworthy, content to a system on the Fermilab network. This presents dangers of infection similar to clicking on e-mail attachments or on web or e-mail links. In these cases, viruses or Trojan horses might tag along with what you were trying to download. Once such malicious software finds a home on a single laboratory machine, it can take advantage of the laboratory network to try to infect other machines both at the laboratory and around the world.
Another, more subtle danger can also put the laboratory in jeopardy. Whenever files are shared between two Internet sites, they transfer to multiple computers along the way. Individuals looking at these interim machines might notice the files moving from one place to another, especially if these materials (movies, television shows, music, games, etc.) are not supposed to be freely shared.
Recently the laboratory received several notices from a TV/film studio objecting to use of a Fermilab network computer to download television show episodes from an unauthorized site. The studio asked us to take immediate action. This behavior represents a clear violation of the Lab Policy on Computing and could subject an offender to disciplinary action. Fortunately, we were able to stop this behavior, but this episode illustrates how careless file sharing can endanger not only an individual but, by damaging the laboratory's reputation, our entire network environment.
-- Irwin Gaines, Computing Division
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