Peer-to-Peer (P2P)File-Sharing Management
Know the Risks...

Having a P2P application like Limewire or BitTorrent installed on your computer puts you at risk for copyright infringement even if you don't think its running or haven't used it to download while at UD. Stay safe - delete your P2P software.

Improper Use of "FREE" file-sharing programs can result in ...

1. Potential legal liability if the files being shared - music, movies, software - are copyrighted.
    
   • Copyright holders can tell which IP addresses (computer network location numbers) are offering copyrighted files for sharing and have been asking courts to require internet service providers, such as the University, to disclose personal information about who is using infringing IP addresses.
      
   • Legally obtained copyrighted material (e.g., CDs or DVDs you have purchased and copied onto your pc for your personal use) illegally distributed via file-sharing programs is a violation of copyright law.
      
   • The University will comply with legally-issued subpoenas asking for alleged violator identities.
      
   • Those found guilty of breaking United States Copyright law face penalties ranging from $750 - $30,000 per file - $150,000 if the infringement is willful.
      
2. Infection by worms, viruses, trojans and other "malware" that can allow your computer to be controlled by hackers from anywhere in the world.
    
   • Hackers routinely attach infectious code to many popular "free" software files traded via peer-to-peer networks to remotely take control of vulnerable computers. (More about "malware").
      
   • If your system gets infected and disrupts the University network, even without you knowing about it, you will be subject to University judicial sanctions. Remember - you are responsible for the security of your system and will be held accountable for what it does.
      
3. General computer slowness and privacy issues
   
   
   • How do many web sites offering "free" software support their development costs?
     Through advertising income from marketing firms that attach Spyware / Ad-ware programs to your system which piggyback on the "free" software installation! This software often tracks the sites you visit and sends this information to spammers all over the world.
      
   • Spyware/Adware can grab personal data you enter in forms and send it all over the world.
      
   • Many Spyware/Adware programs are "self-updaters", ie. they can change their function on your computer at the whim of the designer, without your knowledge.
      
   • Certain Spyware / Adware programs re-install themselves after the user has removed them. Once on your system, this can lead to the installation of a glut of Spyware/Adware, which can degrade your computer to the point of making it unusable or unable to browse the Internet.
      
   • Improper removal of spyware may damage your internet browser and render it unusable.
      
4. Bandwidth abuse and network slowness for all.
    
   • Bandwidth abuse can cause your network connection to be temporarily disabled.

Act Responsibly...

• Use Legal Options to download or purchase music, movies and software online.
   
• Remove peer-to-peer file-sharing programs
  • Windows users: Close the file-sharing program and then un-install it.
  • If removing KaZaa, also remove associated programs "Peer Points Manager" and "P2P Networking".
  • Macintosh users: Limewire removal example.
     
• Remove and Prevent Spyware / Ad-ware from your system by using UD-recommended utilities.
   
• If you insist on using a file-sharing program, configure it to disable file sharing. See University of Chicago information or review the file sharing client's User Guide or FAQs.
   
• Review the file sharing client's user guide or FAQs for further information on disabling or limiting file sharing.
   
  • BitTorrent - Recommendation: DO NOT USE. This p2p program was specifically designed to share many files and lots of bandwidth.
  • DirectConnect - Help information
  • eMule
    • eMule Official Support site
  • FastTrack network
    • UD recommendations (ver 2.5.1)
    • Grokster - Recommendation: DO NOT USE - Review the Risks.
    • iMesh - iMesh Users Guide
  • Gnutella - User Guides and FAQs for all Gnutella clients: BearShare, Gnucleus, Morpheus, Swapper, XoloX Ultra, LimeWire, and Phex.
  • MP2P - Help files for Piolet, Blubster and RockitNet.
  • WinMX - User Guide information
     
• General Recommendations:
  • Use Spychecker.com before installing file sharing software to determine to what extent it includes Spyware / Adware.
     
  • Say NO if given the option during file-sharing client installation to install other programs.
     
  • Disable the Auto-Start Feature (sometimes called "Launch on Startup") to prevent the program from automatically starting when the computer is booted up.
     
  • Completely close the program when not actively using it.
     
  • Scan downloaded files before opening to verify they do not contain viruses.
     
• If you are having difficulty removing file-sharing programs, Spyware/Adware, or configuring safe sharing, please contact the IT Help Center at 831-6000 for referral to a consultant.