Mitigating Free-Riding on BitTorrent Networks

Abstract

The fundamental operational principle of the Bit-Torrent protocol is based on peers sharing partial data. That is, peers download data they don’t have, while uploading data they have already downloaded. The protocol allows peers to get some data to get them started. Free-riders exploit such aspects of the protocol to maximize their downloads and minimize uploads, resulting in crippling the system and benefiting only themselves. This paper looks at free-riding in detail, and presents experimental results that show the benefits of an enhancement to mitigate free-riding.