Spy server
From eg
A spy server, according to a story from p2pnet.net, is an anti-P2P tactic "to monitor what users are sharing and to spread decoy files in an attempt to frustrate file sharers." They also distribute far more files with DRM in an attempt to force people to use it.
[edit] Black hat technique
"Every time a file sharer connects to a server, a list of files they are sharing is sent to the server. Normally, this isn’t a problem since legitimate server operators don't care what you're sharing, but these anti-p2p companies are hired by the RIAA and MPAA to investigate matters pertaining to copyright infringement and record the IP addresses of alleged copyright violators."
"Currently, it’s unknown if these companies have been hired to simply monitor what's being shared, or to amass a list of copyright violators so mass lawsuits can be initiated by the entertainment industry that hired them. Whatever the case may be, what they’re doing can be considered an invasion of privacy and since part of their duty is to disrupt P2P activity, it’s best to steer clear of these servers."
"These anti-p2p companies are devising new tricks to try to fool file sharers into believing their servers are legit. In addition to running clients that spread decoy files, several spy servers are artificially inflating their user count statistic in an effort to make it appear their server is being used by hundreds of thousands of file sharers."
[edit] How to avoid
Using only trusted sources and key continuity management is the usual response.
[edit] ed2K
Some ed2K servers maintain a list of verified servers - a server.met file - to update their server list and avoid having any spy servers being listed in their client.
In eMule, for instance,
- . Click on the Servers icon
- . In the “Update server.met URL” field, enter the following URL: http://www.gruk.org/server.met.gz and then click the Update button
- . Click on the Preferences tab
- . Click on Server to bring up the server options
- . Uncheck options "Update serverlist when connecting to a server" and "Update serverlist when a client connects"
