Protecting online information sharing in peer‐to‐peer (P2P) networks : A proposal for a P2P network security pricing model

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a P2P network security pricing model that promotes more secure online information sharing in P2P networks through the creation of networks with increased resistance to malicious code propagation. Online information sharing is at an all‐time high partly due to the recent growth in, and use of, online peer‐to‐peer (P2P) networks. Design/methodology/approach – The model integrates current research findings in incentive compatible network pricing with recent developments in complex network theory. File download prices in P2P networks are linked to network security using a graph theory measurement called the Pearson coefficient. The Pearson coefficient indicates a structural dimension of scale‐free networks (scale‐free networks like the internet) called preferential attachment. Preferential attachment refers to the network property where the probability for a node to connect to a new node is greater if the new node already has a high number of connections. Findings – The P2P network security pricing model concept is illustrated to show how the model functions to create more secure P2P networks. Research limitations/implications – Future research in P2P network security pricing should focus on testing the model presented in this paper by numerical experiments and simulation including the tracking of malicious code propagation on networks grown under the pricing model. Originality/value – The P2P network security pricing model demonstrated here is a different approach to network security that has a strong potential to impact on the future security of P2P and other computer based networks.