According to security firm Symantec, peer-to-peer networks are a main vehicle for spreading viruses and malware in the workplace. In the first half of 2007 15 per cent of all potential infections were propagated by p2p network eDonkey.

Another specialist technology security company, McAfee, reported that searches of keywords involving P2P services, such as Limewire, are among the most likely to generate results that activate spyware and viruses once clicked on.

And yet research also shows that office employees are using the workplace to download music, most of them illegally, exposing their employers not only to computer network risks, but to legal risks too.
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The European film and music industries have produced a free Copyright Security Guide to help you identify copyright theft and explain what you can do to protect your organisation. If you are a chief executive or department head, pass this to your IT department with instructions to implement its recommendations. This will help keep your systems clean and protect you from risk of litigation and network security problems.