ZapShares ‘revolutionary’ anti-lawsuits app
p2pnet news view Freedom | P2P:- “If you use P2P file sharing software such as LimeWire, uTorrent, Azureus Vuze, BitTorrent, eMule, Ares, or other similar file sharing software to share music, movies, or software, then you may be unintentionally sharing files that can put you at risk of lawsuits and identity theft,” says Canada’s (we’re embarrassed to say) ZapShares.
We had to read its puff-piece on its ‘revolutionary’ product not twice, but three times.
And we still don’t believe it.
It’s touting, “the launch of the ZapShares Media Network, which for the first time allows advertisers to target 200 million people who use file sharing software (also known as ‘Peer-To-Peer’ or ‘P2P’ software) like LimeWire and BitTorrent.”
Oh really? And how does it manage that?
By getting marks — sorry, users — to let it plant what amounts to a spyware application on their computers so it can “monitor” them.
And why would people want ZapShares zipping around their systems?
To protect them from lawsuits, promises the company.
Cynically exploiting RIAA victim Jammie Thomas-Rasset in its online blurb, “The ZapShares software scans and monitors a P2P user’s computer, identifying potential security threats caused by file sharing software that could expose them to expensive lawsuits by copyright holders, or expose them and their private information to identity theft,” says company, going on »»»
The demographics of P2P networks allow advertisers to target the elusive teenage and young adult customer, as 40% of P2P users are between the ages of 13-21. Additionally, 49% of P2P users are in the highly sought-after 21-35 year old age range.
The ZapShares software scans and monitors a P2P user’s computer, identifying potential security threats caused by file sharing software that could expose them to expensive lawsuits by copyright holders, or expose them and their private information to identity theft.
ZapShares is/was offering marks — sorry, users — the ’service’ for a $20 pa subscription fee.
Could it be that is/wasn’ t going down too well?
Mayhap.
In the meanwhile, the company is trying a, “free advertiser-supported version, providing P2P users with complete protection against lawsuits and identity theft, while allowing advertisers to reach these users with their advertising message”.
Epic fail.
No need to stay tuned.
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win ~ Mahatma Gandhi
August, 2009
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August 31st, 2009 at 3:10 pm
This company/spyware wouldn’t happen to have Bell Canada as an investor would it?
August 31st, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Vampires of the World Unite!
August 31st, 2009 at 5:09 pm
As with other free software such as MSN Messenger⢠and AIMâ¢, ZapShares is free due to unobtrusive advertising that only appears in the ZapShares alert box, which is displayed when the Secure Vault feature stops a file from being shared with other P2P users. Our software does not contain spyware, never tracks what files are downloaded by a user or sites they visit, and will not bombard them with pop-up type ads. The software features automatic updating and will inform the user when a new version of ZapShares is available for downloading.
In many ways the ZapShares software is very similar to services such as Spotify and QTrax, since our software also allows advertisers to reach P2P users with their advertising message, while allowing users to download files from a P2P network. Although unlike Spoitfy and QTrax, ZapShares allows the user to continue using their favorite P2P software, allowing them to access a nearly unlimited amount of content when compared to Spotify and QTrax.
ZapShares is a completely free tool that scans and monitors a users computer, identifying potential security threats caused by file sharing software, and ensures that they do not accidentally share files that could expose them to expensive lawsuits by copyright holders, or expose them and their private information to identity theft.
Copyright holders only file lawsuits against P2P users who make copyrighted materials available to other P2P users for download. ZapShares solves this problem by creating a Secure Vault, which stops files a user downloads using their favorite P2P file sharing software from automatically being shared with other P2P users. This feature allows ZapShares users to download files safely while protecting them against expensive lawsuits.
August 31st, 2009 at 6:11 pm
@ZapShares…
“ZapShares solves this problem by creating a Secure Vault, which stops files a user downloads using their favorite P2P file sharing software from automatically being shared with other P2P users.”
The idea of P2P software is sharing.
Many P2P communities rate your sharing ratios, giving connective priority to those who DO share.
(Taking without sharing is typically viewed as “leaching”.)
A P2P user ALREADY HAS CONTROL of what is shared, without the advertising-subsidized, malware-assisted add-on service.
I haven’t seen too many P2P softwares that don’t offer this control.
There’s no real incentive to subscribe to someting like ZapShares, and every incentive not to.
The only true way to achieve safety in file sharing is through self-education, better use, and more wisely-chosen softwares, protocols and security practices.
August 31st, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Hmm. I’ll stick with our business model – we actually DO protect our customers from cartel troll lawsuits, threats of lawsuits, and harassment. Never had a customer so much as get a snarky email from a cartel mercenary in almost three years providing service. I guess we could pretend our service is “free” and litter it with ads, but we aren’t that clever. We ask our customers to pay us a few bucks a month, so that we can do the job of ensuring their privacy and security 24/7/365. It’s a good trade on both sides – we live and die on our ability to provide a layer of safety between our customers and the media trolls.
An application that “warns” customers they are using p2p software – which sounds to me like the crux of this whole thing – doesn’t strike me as entirely groundbreaking or very useful. I suspect 99% of them KNOW they are using sharing tools – what they can benefit from is methods to allow them to do so safely with no added drama.
Fausty (no service name mentioned, by request)
August 31st, 2009 at 7:10 pm
While we realize that the argument can be made that people can simply check what files they are sharing and also can move out completed P2P download themselves, doing these tasks can become very tedious. Also, most P2P users are not technically savvy enough to realize when they are inadvertently sharing files that can lead to lawsuits and identity theft, as witnessed during the recent Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearings into the âInadvertent File Sharing Over Peer-To-Peer Networks.â The fact is that there are possibly hundreds of thousands of people that are inadvertently sharing files.
As you may be aware, most P2P software automatically shares completed downloads with other P2P users, which can expose the P2P user to lawsuits. The fact is that most people do NOT realize that most P2P software automatically starts with Windows, runs in the background, and is automatically sharing all files downloaded from P2P networks with other P2P users.
The Secure Vault feature automatically stops files a user downloads using their favorite P2P file sharing software from automatically being shared with other P2P users. Even P2P users that are technically inclined will find the Secure Vault feature of ZapShares to be indispensable.
We do not charge even a penny for our software and our software does NOT contain Spyware in any way, shape, or form. Again, one single small advertisement is discretely displayed, and is ONLY displayed when the Secure Vault feature stops a file from being shared with other P2P users. Our software features even less advertising than MSN Messenger and AOL Instant Messenger.
August 31st, 2009 at 7:29 pm
subscription based malware, i love it.. sign me up for a dozen.
August 31st, 2009 at 7:37 pm
@ ZapShares
“doing these tasks can become very tedious”
That’s an argument for an element in an operation billed as “revolutionary protection”?
You cite the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearings into the âInadvertent File Sharing Over Peer-To-Peer Networks” hearings.
One of the three people giving ‘testimony’ was Tom Sydnor who’s a reliable entertainment cartel report creator. http://www.p2pnet.net/story/17617
This still seems to me to be nothing more than yet another attempt by a company – Canadian, sadly – to cynically cash in on the bizarre Big 4 record label sue ‘em all campaign.
And don’t worry, Fausty, ZapShares have now had their say.
Cheers!
August 31st, 2009 at 8:05 pm
“…most P2P software automatically shares completed downloads with other P2P users…”
This action is still under user control, however, the default to automatically share is generally desirable, as sharing IS the key idea of files sharing. To encourage constant leaching is counter-productive to both your own ability to get good download speeds and to the file sharing community at large.
“…our software does NOT contain Spyware in any way, shape, or form…”
This is mostly an issue of semantics, but the only software that should be monitoring your behaviour and maintaining a connection to the internet is the user’s antivirus/security package. Anything else doing this would technically cut a major vulnerability route to the user’s computer, without good cause. This would also be a possible subject of abuse, not only by the very people putting out the program/site, but also by those who write exploits for such holes.
The fact that ads will be feeding into it only lends me to suspect that it wouldn’t be long before the 3rd parties behind the ads “pull a Facebook” on everyone and start targetting the users and tapping into whatever personal info that’s available.
“Our software features even less advertising than MSN Messenger…”
It is for similar reasons to what I’ve described that I always remove from my Messenger the ability to deliver ads. I do the same with all the “Windows Live” stuff I run or access. Microsoft has already poisoned the well on this one. They’ve illustrated quite willingly they can’t be trusted. (And Google seems to be working very hard to achieve the same status.)
This is why I argue for better user education and oppose introducing more crapware into the equation that only serves to undermine the user’s security. I strongly believe ZapShares, by your own explanations, qualifies as such an agent.
August 31st, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Zap! goes another advertiser.
You need to be more careful Jon.
August 31st, 2009 at 10:18 pm
@ZapShares…
“I am not sure if you are familiar with companies such as MediaDefender…”
Many of us “here” are quite familiar with MediaDefender and MediaSentry, as well as a number of similar self-proclaimed “anti-piracy experts” offering their internet surveillance services.
“So why should P2P users take risks? With ZapShares, P2P users can continue using their favorite P2P program…”
More and more people already DO use add-ons with their favourite download manager, without having to create a hole in their personal security package to do it.
“…we consider this ability to be revolutionary. ZapShares is the ONLY program on the market that scans ALL P2P file sharing software installed on a users computer and identifies security risks that may be exposed by the files they are sharing…”
There’s nothing “revolutionary” being offered here.
The only thing ZapShares appears to be designed to do is check a user’s shared folders for copyrighted material. Everything else you’re saying it “does” is merely rewording the benefits of not “getting caught with it”.
“even technically inclined P2P users have demonstrated countless times that they have inadvertently shared files over P2P networks.”
I’d be interested in knowing where you got the “data” on that!
How, exactly, have any users (technically inclined or not) “demonstrated” this peculiar faux pas??
And, typically, those who are more savvy, DON’T “inadvertently share” ANYTHING.
“ZapShares IS in fact SECURITY software and provides identity theft and lawsuit protection far beyond the protection that is provided by regular anti-virus and anti-spyware software.”
This is where you’re stretching things…
From your earlier post:
“ZapShares is a completely free tool that scans and monitors a users computer, identifying potential security threats caused by file sharing software, and ensures that they do not accidentally share files that could expose them to expensive lawsuits by copyright holders, or expose them and their private information to identity theft.”
I firmly believe everything ZapShares does is contained in this last quote.
As I said above, all it does is check the user’s shared folder for infringing content and waves a flag at the user if it finds it.
Let’s put this in perspective:
1) To say it’s a “security service” or “identity theft guardian” is TOTAL BULLSHIT.
2) The anti-virus and anti-spyware software it would be “working in conjuction with” would be that of the USERS.
3) 3RD PARTIES will need to have access to the users’ connections, in order to serve their ads.
4) Users will have to whitelist the whole thing, creating the hole I was talking about.
5) There are way too many hashcodes to even think the database will be complete enough to warrant participation.
6) MediaDefender et al can also exploit the holes in everyone’s firewall through ZapShares. (All they need to do is become users.)
I would say the PeerGuardian idea makes more sense.
It’s much more constructive to prevent connections with the spy companies, using something that is free, and leave your security intact, than to rely on an index of every possible hashcode (impossible), that you have to pay for, and have to open another security hole.
August 31st, 2009 at 10:47 pm
As I told ZapShares boss Bernard Trest in an email, I deleted his most recent comment (parts of which are quoted by DA) because I’m not allowing this to develop into a product debate.
This’ll be the last comment from either side.
Cheers!