File Swapping

[VoldtaEngler]

So i stumbled across this site..its kinda neat.
You upload a file (500 k max) and you get a random file in return!
So far nothing but pictures but they are interesting pictures!
From kewpie dolls - destroyed buildings..its neat..
Like putting 25 cents in a toy machine and seeing what you get

File Swap!

[Rockwulf]

Sounds like a great way to get a virus if you ask me...

[VoldtaEngler]

nope. no executables can be uploaded..and seeing as you have to execute a virus for it to actually do anything to your system..i dont see a threat..especially since you can preview everything before you download it anyway. virus scan!

[adorn_shadow]

Thats actually kind of a neat site.
Ill do random searches through Google images for the same purpose. Its fun!

[ForrestBlack]

How is that legal?

[VoldtaEngler]

not sure. i havent run into any porn photos yet..so maybe they screen em first?

[ForrestBlack]

Copyright covers more than porn. I'd like to know how it's legal.

[Morning Glory]

from what I understand it's under the category of public domain, in which one can technically post anything they want to, as long as they adhere to copyright information. it's just the same as google. goggle simply links you to the pictures, they don't take responsibilty for people copying or distributing the material that they come accross, or any other such violations of copyright laws. it's up to the consumer to obey said laws, although we all know in reality there is very little that is actually done to enforce them. I'm still waiting to be sued for my napster downloads.

[Phoenix Blue]

nope. no executables can be uploaded..and seeing as you have to execute a virus for it to actually do anything to your system..i dont see a threat..especially since you can preview everything before you download it anyway. virus scan!

Computer viruses can be embedded in more than executables. There are tools that will stuff a virus executable into an image file (.gif, .jpg, .png) and just by viewing the image you can become infected.

And I have to echo Forrest's concern about legality. Sharing any kind of file to which you do not own the copyright or have been given express permission (as GPL license, et.) violates copyright law. People seem to have misconceived ideas about what "Public Domain" is. Google does not host the images/files on their servers (though they do cache the page and images - IF YOU ALLOW IT - you can disallow this in a metatag).

[VoldtaEngler]

Computer viruses can be embedded in more than executables. There are tools that will stuff a virus executable into an image file (.gif, .jpg, .png) and just by viewing the image you can become infected.

yes..i realize that..but since miraculous (sp?) updates to technology (and a big help to FireFox!) it's rather difficult to execute any virus that would be embedded into a photo. I have never in 12 years, that ive had a computer, gotten a virus from a photo

As far as copyright concerns..i know they expand more than porn! lol..
everything is freaking copyrighted nowadays.. the most obvious are business photos, music, titles, logos, brands etc etc.

As far as sharing files go..a lot of people dont care about copyrighted material to throw on their website if they support it.
Besides the obvious of "ripping" photos of like say www.Gothicsluts.com (<~promo link click here!) and putting them on your website..thats illegal yes. Because its like saying "Hey heres the full version of so-so program..download here).

Now something like..a RedMeat cartoon (for those that dont know what that is..its a great strip), someone who rips maybe like 1 cartoon strip of it and put it on their website would be in copyright violation but they are supporting that strip and letting people know about it. I dont think that person would get sued for putting a strip on their website as long as it went unaltered? Maybe its because RedMeat isnt that well known either..

Im not sure, either way copyright is a funny thing and sure many debates will be told on about it.

Hope all that made sense. I just woke up so probably not

[Shivvenfist]

nope. no executables can be uploaded..and seeing as you have to execute a virus for it to actually do anything to your system..i dont see a threat..especially since you can preview everything before you download it anyway. virus scan!

Programs like the one mentioned in the italacized below show that it doesn't have to be an exe file to be viral


Would you like to exchange secret messages with your friends or colleagues?
Picssage lets you hide them inside pictures so nobody will suspect the messages are even there!

Keep important information or private messages safe from being read by other people.

Picssage is really easy to use. Just enter your Key Word, choose an image, type your message and press Encrypt.
After encrypting, the resulting image is about 99% similar to the original one, so nobody will notice the difference.

[Mindgames]

The site is being investigated, as despite being registered and hosted in Germany (non-DMCA) it is breaking a few EU laws or three. Can't say any more but don't expect it to last the year.

Viruses embedded in non-executable files are indeed possible, and though a recent OS, patches and AV filters will find them all, these type of files are often aimed at the IT-unaware millions who ARE still vulnerable. For that slice of humanity, this site's like a bag full of Twinkies and rattlesnakes.

Oh, and the domain name is for sale btw...

mG

[VoldtaEngler]

lol how funny
oh well.. copyright or not.. i got a great picture of a broken building from it...curiosity kills yet another cat.

oh and shivvenfist... the art of hiding infomation inside photos is called steganography. It was used to by Al Queda people to send photos of useless things but when decrypted showed blueprints of the plane models that were used in 911... i know all about it.

[Shivvenfist]

oh and shivvenfist... the art of hiding infomation inside photos is called steganography. It was used to by Al Queda people to send photos of useless things but when decrypted showed blueprints of the plane models that were used in 911... i know all about it.

I wasn't implying you had no knowledge of steganography, nor implying that I do not either


My point was, viral activity of any sort, be it destructive or invasive, is not confined to exe files, and in fact downloading a random file is just mentally deficient.