* subscribe at http://techPolice.com Porn-swapping takes off online WASHINGTON (AP) — The same technology that allowed Internet users to swap music can be used by children to locate hard-core pornography, and two congressmen are providing parents with some tips to keep it from happening. The programs, which have become popular since the legally embattled Napster began its decline and was finally knocked offline, can transfer much more than the music files that Napster was famous for. They can help users share any type of file, including pornographic movies. Reps. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and Steve Largent, R-Okla., released a report Friday alerting parents. "It's not a question of gratuitous violence or bad language or bad taste," Waxman said. "It's an explosion of the most demeaning and dehumanizing exhibitions imaginable, and it can appear on our children's computer screens whether they ask for it or not." Waxman and Largent aren't yet calling for legislation, but want parents to be aware of the programs and realize that most Internet filtering software doesn't stop them. Internet filters are designed to block Web pages, but most can't scan movies or block sharing programs. The design of sharing networks like BearShare, Aimster and LimeWire complicates the matter further. Unlike Napster, the individual users contact directly, instead of using a central computer. This is also a headache for copyright holders including the music and movie industries, which can't file suit to close down the network because in many cases no company exists to sue. Since Napster's fall, the upstart decentralized file-sharing networks have flourished. They are some of the most downloaded programs on the Internet, dwarfing Napster's popularity during its heyday. The lawmakers said parents shouldn't rely on the effectiveness of filters and should talk frequently with their children about how they use the computer. Putting the children's computer in a common room may also help, they said. The report, prepared by a House committee, says pornography is both popular and prevalent on the networks, and that children may accidentally stumble upon it when looking for something else. The search term "porn" ranks second only to a word for pirated movies on the Gnutella network, and various other adult terms dominate the Top 30 list. Even if children search for other popular downloads, like typing in the names of pop stars Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera, they can find surprising results. "When the Special Investigations Division used the popular file-sharing program Aimster to search for videos of Britney Spears, over 70% of the results were pornographic files," the report states. ============================================================ TopOffers. The Smart Shoppers Savings Secret! Cool savings. Hot deals. Free Stuff. All right in your in-box. http://click.topica.com/caaacgKb1dhr0b2EDp2f/TopOffers ============================================================ --via http://techPolice.com archive: http://theMezz.com/cybercrime/archive subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] --via http://theMezz.com ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?b1dhr0.b2EDp2 Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: archive@jab.org T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
