Many peer-to-peer networks are under constant attack by people with a variety of motives.

Examples include:

• poisoning attacks (e.g. providing files whose contents are different than the description)
• denial of service attacks (attacks that may make the network run very slowly or break completely)
• defection attacks (users or software that make use of the network without contributing resources to it)
• insertion of viruses to carried data (e.g. downloaded or carried files may be infected with viruses or other malware)
• malware in the peer-to-peer network software itself (e.g. distributed software may contain spyware)
• filtering (network operators may attempt to prevent peer-to-peer network data from being carried)
• identity attacks (e.g. tracking down the users of the network and harassing or legally attacking them)
• spamming (e.g. sending unsolicited information across the network- not necessarily as a denial of service attack)
• Most attacks can be defeated or controlled by careful design of the peer-to-peer network and through the use of encryption. P2P network defense is in fact closely
• related to the "Byzantine Generals Problem". However, almost any network will fail when the majority of the peers are trying to damage it, and many protocols may be
• rendered impotent by far fewer numbers.

• Children need guidance before they start and when they are using P2P programs and networks.
• Ensure you understand the potential dangers of P2P networking and have knowledge of how P2P communities work.
• Investigate the popular P2P programs or the particular one which your children wish to use.
• Determine the level of parental controls you can apply to the P2P program. Some have virus protection and adult filter capabilities installed with them.
• Determine whether your normal Internet filter program lets you manage access to P2P networks. You may be able to configure it to help with your P2P network access.
• Parent's guides are written for many popular P2P programs. Make yourself aware of these.
• Discuss issues such as netiquette, copyright and privacy with children and explain how common sense Internet safety rules apply in P2P communities.
• Use monitoring software to keep track of online activity. Monitor such things as amounts of downloads and time spent online.