Peer-to-Peer File Sharing
Many people don't realize peer to peer file sharing programs (like KaZaA, Audiogalaxy, BearShare, LimeWire, iMesh, WinMX, Aimster/Madster, Morpheus and others) that allow users to download and share music and data files can use large amounts of campus bandwidth (making parts of the campus network run extremely slow). The programs can also turn themselves on without telling you and make visible the contents of your harddrive so others can get to your data. In addition, using any of the peer-to-peer clients mentioned here to distribute copyrighted materials is against the law.
The university discourages the use of peer-to-peer client programs. However, this guide is designed to give you control on how these programs run on your computer. If you use, or know somebody who runs these programs, here some essential concepts:
1. Prevent the programs from starting automatically
2. Stop sharing files or copying the downloaded files to another location
3. Close the programs when you are finished
4. Be sure to disable "act as a supernode". Preventing these programs from acting as “supernode”, will stop them from secretly using the campus network bandwidth and potentially slowing down your computers performance. The University of Chicago provides an excellent resource for information on disabling the supernode feature of some of the more popular file sharing programs (Morpheus, BearShare, KaZaA, Aimster, and LimeWire) at http://security.uchicago.edu/peer-to-peer/no_fileshare.shtml As recent news stories about Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file sharing have indicated, users who allow others to download copyrighted materials from their computers may be sued for violating copyright laws. Peer-to-Peer file-sharing programs (such as KaZaa, Morpheus, Bearshare, Gnutella, etc.) allow users to download and share music and data files.
Things you should know about file-sharing:
- File-sharing programs can turn themselves on without telling you and make the contents of your hard drive visible so that others can get to your data. (If you use a P2P program, you may be sharing files without realizing it.)
- Using Peer-to-Peer clients (like those mentioned above) to distribute copyrighted materials is against the law.
- It is not difficult to find individuals that are sharing files since every computer has a specific Internet Protocol (IP) address that can be traced.
- Potential penalties for copyright violation are BIG (the law allows a maximum 3 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for online copyright violations).
- Many P2P programs install hidden software called "spyware" that tracks and sends information from your computer without your knowledge.
IT's Network Security team has taken a number of steps to reduce the chances that anti-piracy advocates will bring suits against students, faculty, staff, or the university for distributing copyrighted materials illegally. Given reports of vigorous efforts on the part of relevant industries to limit file-sharing, IT anticipates that the campus will continue to handle growing numbers of complaints from the Recording Industry Association of American and other copyright holders about illegal file sharing activities. We anticipate continued success in eliminating offending activities.
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