Peer-2-Peer file sharing programs don't offer much security to their users. Users are capable of titling their files as they please and use of a p2p network requires direct access to a users file network. Tranche solves this problem with their Java based client-server network.
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File sharing systems like Bear Share and Limewire are unsecured file sharing systems because they offer little security to their users. The two areas in which peer-to-peer (P2P) programs fail the most are in accountability and the need to directly access users files. Additionally, shared files are not indexed, so the user relies on the file holder to provide secure and accurate data.
In enters Tranche, a client server network which provides secure data sharing for the scientific community. Created by Jayson Falkner at the University of Michigan in late 2005, Tranche is part of the National Resource for Proteomics and Pathways. Tranche proved to be a reliable data bank for proteomics and is now being used in the fields of glycomics, metabalomics, and 2D gel data.
Tranche goes against the grain in their pursuit of security. Their software is built off of Java Webstart and is a complete server side operation. Several security issues are resolved by simply switching to server side software. Tranche controls all of the data that is shared over their network and keeps their users safe by monitoring all of the files shared on their system. In addition, users must request the ability to upload data to the server. Once they have approval, their log in is typically valid for only two weeks. This ensures that a user name and password cannot be stolen and reused by an distrusted user. Upon upload, all files are given a unique hash. This enables quick retrieval of data from the database.
Finally, users are allowed to encrypt their data and share their passphrase with limited parties. So while anyone can log onto Tranche and download data as they please, you can restrict access with passphrases. If at a later time the owner wishes to publish their data, they have the option to share the passphrase.
As virus's become more advanced and the number of infected computers rises, I'm sure many more programs will follow in Tranches footsteps. Their client-server environment keeps their users safe and happy. On top of all of that, Tranche is completely free to use and is open source.
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