What to do with your P2P application

A typical user of a P2P application is unaware of the vulnerability of his or her computer or of the effects file-sharing can have on other network users. Here are some general tips for responsible and safe use of file-sharing software.

The most important step

• Partially disable uploading in your P2P application
  Doing this should NOT affect your ability to copy files to your computer from other locations. But it will prevent others from copying files from your computer.
  
  Disabling uploads is important because the adverse effects of file sharing on the Cumberland University Residential Network do not stem from what's coming in over the network, it's what's going out over the network that's causing problems.
  
  Why does it make a difference in speed if data is coming in or going out? In a word, volume. Data transfer speed over the Internet is highly sought after. Because the Cumberland University network is very fast and easily accessible, large numbers of Internet users who are looking for files to copy are drawn to Cumberland University. The volume of traffic generated by all these users connecting to the Cumberland University network consumes bandwidth that should be used by Cumberland University faculty, students, and staff.
  
  For instructions on how to disable uploading, select your P2P application from the on the left.

Other Steps to Take

• Use virus-checking software
  You're downloading files from unknown sources. What better reason to use virus-checking software and update your virus definition (DAT) files often. See OIT's Anti-Virus page for more information, free downloads, and configuration tips.
  
• Turn off your computer
  When you're not using it, shut it down. This ensures there is no unmonitored network activity originating from your computer. Several popular P2P applications run in the background even if you think you've turned them off. Turn off your computer so you don't have to worry about it, and you'll save energy too.
  
• Turn off your P2P application
  If you're using your computer, but you're not using your P2P application, make certain the application is turned off and not running in the background. (See instructions for your particular utility.) Several P2P applications continue to run in the background even if you think you've quit the application.
  
• Do not use automatic startup for P2P applications
  Do not set up your P2P application to start automatically when your system starts. You may have done this when you installed the application. With this configuration you may not realize your P2P application is running and using system and network resources.
  
• Queue your downloads
  Queue your downloads so that only one file is transferred to your computer at a time. Consider all the other Cumberland University network users—they need bandwidth too.
  
• Download during off-peak hours
  Try to schedule file downloads during periods of low network use (weekends, early morning, late night).