Linux Magazine has a BitTorrent overview that explains how this many-to-many ad-hoc network could change the way large files (yeah, video, but also things such as Linux distributions) are distributed:
"BitTorrent fundamentally changes the way large-scale file transfers work. Rather than the traditional model of many computers downloading the file from a very small number of congested sources, BitTorrent uses a peer-to-peer model. It transforms the massive network of downloading nodes into a constantly changing web of uploading and downloading peers."
What about security with BitTorrent? I would image there are some basic preventative methods such as CRC checking of the size/content of the image files, but it would be interesting to know how BitTorrent attempts to prevent "tampering" with images that could lead to Viruses.
Posted by: Jeff on May 17, 2004 11:32 AMIf the .torrent file is not modified in transit by a man-in-the-middle attack, the hashing should do just fine in preventing corruption. Even if you succeed in discovering hash collisions for some blocks, the resulting file would probably not be executable (if it's a program file) or would show clear signs of corruption. Simple serving a .torrent file through secure http (https) should be all that's needed to prevent tampering.
Posted by: Seun Osewa on July 3, 2004 04:37 PMPost a comment
