The use of file sharing programs such as Morpheus, Kazaa, LimeWire, and others is causing response time problems on the RESNET network. The use of these programs contributes significantly to slowing down the network, as well as puts the University at risk for lawsuits by the recording industry. DeSales University has received many complaints from record companies that have found copyrighted songs on our network. When we receive a complaint we must turn over the name of the student to the record company, and take the copyrighted material off of the host PC.
It is against the RESNET Acceptable Use Policy to distribute copyrighted material, and it is also against this same policy to use more that 2GB of network traffic per week. These are both common violations of file sharing program users, and, after three violations, a student's RESNET connection is terminated for the semester.
Spyware is another problem associated with all of the file sharing programs, in particular Morpheus and Kazaa. Spyware is software installed to your PC without your knowledge during the installation of other software that you did install. This software can do various things to your PC, such as funneling your PC's spare computing power to Brilliant Digital's network, the use of which is then leased out, thus adding traffic to your RESNET traffic totals. Spyware can also track all of the web pages you go to and then sends that information to many different companies. These are just a few examples of what spyware can do.
There are several things you can do to keep file sharing programs from adversely affecting network traffic, and to keep your PC protected from spyware. The first thing you can do is uninstall these programs from your computer and do not use them again. However, if you just can't live without being able to download songs, install Kazaalite instead. It can be found at Kazaalite.com. Kazaalite has been cleaned of any spyware. The second thing you can do is turn off the file sharing option from within the program you are using. In other words, you can download to your computer but other people cannot get those files from your computer. SuperNode is another problem with Kazaa, allowing you pc to become a centralized information server of Kazaa files. Please disable SuperNode under the advanced tab of the desktop options. The last thing to do is to visit the Spyware Removal page, and download and install the programs Ad-Aware and Netup. Ad-Aware is a spyware removal utility, and Netup is a RESNET traffic counter.
For more information on how to uninstall or block file sharing please, and to protect your PC from spyware please call the helpdesk at 610-282-1100 Ext 4357 option 2, or go to the RESNET web site. Please take this issue seriously, because if the file sharing traffic is not under control soon, the University will potentially need to take steps to block all further use of these programs.
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Acceptable Use of RESNET
