Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
ie8 fix

Spyware, viruses, & security forum: Is Ooyala subject to viruses because it uses P2P?

by: si February 16, 2013 8:10 AM PST

Like this

0 people like this thread

Staff pick

Resolved question

Is Ooyala subject to viruses because it uses P2P?

by si - 2/16/13 8:10 AM

I read the following post about Ooyala and so I am wondering if it is subject to viruses because of the P2P it uses? Anyone have any insight on this?

"Ooyala itself has done some really impressive stuff with Flash video. They wanted to create the best user experience for people downloading HD content regardless of the bandwidth the user has. In that vein they implemented dynamic bitrate adaption which keys off on the available bandwidth and display resolution. This means that the buffer times for every user will be minimized regardless of their connection. They do this by combining progressive download, streaming, and P2P which gives them ultimate flexibility. It also means that the video can scale up in bitrate as you watch it so the viewing experience gets better as you go."

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/stewart/ooyala-soft-launches-backlot-a-video-analytics-and-management-tool/631


si has chosen the best answer to his/her question!
Click here to view the answer that was selected.

Answer This
Ask for clarification
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Clarification request: Do you understand how P2P ...

by Edward ODaniel - 2/16/13 5:41 PM

In Reply to: Is Ooyala subject to viruses because it uses P2P? by si

works?

EVERYONE using the P2P client is also acting as a server and offering up bit of the file they have already downloaded. If you substitute some code in bits of the file you can cause strange things to happen on the recipient's end when they open or install the file.

Some alter insignificant parts of the code while others take a lazy man's approach and change the code so you get a message that boils down to a corrupt file so download again. By then the damage is done and the malware is running.

That is possible but it isn't saying that it definitely will happen as it depends on who all use the client and their intents.

There is nothing inherently bad about P2P, just the users and how they use it and what they use it for.

Think of going to a potluck meal (P2P file) where everyone brings a couple of dishes. Many dishes will be duplicated so everyone gets a meal but not everyone necessarily gets the same meal. If YOU (or I or someone or two others) bring some spoiled shrimp or bad chicken (insert some bad code) most who eat it will have problems (malware) while others who ate at the same meal but took their shrimp or chicken from a different bowel (peer server) get what they were expecting and are happy campers -- P2P in action.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Yes I do!

by si - 2/16/13 8:59 PM

In Reply to: Do you understand how P2P ... by Edward ODaniel

That is exactly why I asked the question. The fact that they use P2P in addition to streaming bothers me.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend
Answers
Answer Best answer as chosen by user si

In short, ANY APP can be hijacked if

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 2/16/13 8:22 AM

In Reply to: Is Ooyala subject to viruses because it uses P2P? by si

If someone finds an exploit then the app is in short, jacked.

Since Flash has security issues, then any security issue Flash has is inherited by the app. Some folk need it said so I've done that.

It's not the P2P issue so much as the fact that no app is totally secure. And if your app uses other apps such as Flash then you inherit it's issues.
Bob


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Forum Icon Legend

  • UnreadUnread
  • ReadRead
  • Locked threadLocked thread
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • ModeratorModerator
  • CNET StaffCNET Staff
  • Samsung StaffSamsung Staff
  • Norton Authorized Support TeamNorton Authorized Support Team
  • AVG StaffAVG Staff
  • avast! Staffavast! Staff
  • Webroot Support TeamWebroot Support Team
  • Acer Customer Experience TeamAcer Customer Experience Team
  • Windows Outreach TeamWindows Outreach Team
  • DISH staffDISH staff
  • Dell StaffDell Staff
  • Intel StaffIntel Staff
  • QuestionQuestion
  • Resolved questionResolved question
  • General discussionGeneral discussion
  • TipTip
  • Alert or warningAlert or warning
  • PraisePraise
  • RantRant

You are e-mailing the following post: Post Subject

Your e-mail address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the e-mail and in case of transmission error. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose.

Sorry, there was a problem emailing this post. Please try again.

Submit Email Cancel

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

You are reporting the following post: Post Subject

If you believe this post is offensive or violates the CNET Forums' Usage policies, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the post). Once reported, our moderators will be notified and the post will be reviewed.

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language

Spam: Advertisements or commercial links

Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users

Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Submit Report Cancel

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

You are posting a reply to: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Duplicate posts are not allowed in the forums. Please edit your post and submit again.

Submit Reply Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close

You are requesting a clarification of the question: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Submit Clarification Request Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close

You are posting an answer to the question: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Submit Answer Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close
close

Click here to be notified via e-mail when someone submits an answer.

Would you like to resolve this question? close

Based on your response, it looks like this question has been answered.



Sorry, there was a problem resolving this question. Please try again.

Resolve Leave unresolved