Viewers of the Live 8 concerts may have become aware that Madonna has what my Nan would call a “potty mouth”. But, Madonna, Madge, or Ma’am, as she probably likes to be called, has been known for her ability to make sailors blush for some time.

Infamously, just before the launch of her last album, Madonna released some of its tracks onto peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing sites. This was not to create a “buzz” around her work, but instead to make people think twice before downloading copyright material.

Thanks to her work, downloaders of album tracks were treated to the question “what the f**k do you think you are doing...?” shortly after the introduction to the tracks, effectively ruining what was already a bad enough experience.

But for many, the biggest threat should not be a telling off from an international superstar, but the fact that adding P2P programmes to a home or company network is akin to hiring a bull to work as a temp at the china plate packing plant.

One firm has found this out to its cost. A virus-infected computer at Mitsubishi Electric Plant Engineering spat out sensitive company records, which, according to reports, related to nuclear power plant inspections.

The virus was able to do this because of the nature of P2P systems, which when installed correctly will effectively open up the contents of a machine – or indeed network – to anyone else who uses the software. This is a big problem, and not just when you are dealing with highly sensitive schematics.

Previous warnings about P2P have focused on the fact that record industry execs will put down their mirrors, razor blades and starlets to pop into your office, have a gander at your company networks, and – if they find anything that shouldn’t be there – send some lawyers over. Now, we have an example of the other real risk – that your firm’s sensitive data could be exposed.

This does not just apply to data in the workplace. Information added to a USB drive to be taken home and put onto a machine that has P2P software is equally vulnerable – so employers should not only tell staff how to be secure at work, but should encourage them to follow similar procedures at home. That way any information taken out of the office will remain as safe as we would hope it is in the land of watercoolers and afternoon naps.

If data is allowed to sneak out through the back door via P2P apps, then it is not record company execs you have to fear, but your customers, their lawyers, and privacy and human rights officials. None of whom will give a monkey’s about a bootleg copy of Bob Dylan clearing his throat nestling away on your networks somewhere, but will have a lot to say about the fact that personal information is flying out of your firm.

So, be wise, and be prepared, and remember Madonna’s question. Coming from her, it is probably to be expected, but coming from a customer, is best avoided.

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