Using P2P File Sharing on the Carnegie Mellon Network

When using P2P file sharing programs, users should be aware of what they are downloading and sharing to avoid violating copyright laws, because even accidental violations can result in penalties.   If you choose to use a P2P program regardless of the risks, please take the following steps to protect yourself:

• Prior to installing P2P software, make sure it provides you with the ability to restrict access to a designated shared folder. While installing the software, designate a folder that contains only the files you want others to see and access.
• Turn off or disable the upload ability from your computer if you are not actively sharing documents. There may be an option in your software to "disable uploading to others", "disable file sharing" or reduce "upload rates" to zero.
• Refrain from downloading files that are likely protected by the copyright law, and do not make such files available to others. While there are cases where the legal right to copy and distribute may not be clear, items such as commercial software with a "free" or "hacked" license, current movies and music, and other items that you would normally pay for, are likely not being shared legally.
• Disable your file sharing applications when you are not using them. This will limit the amount of bandwidth consumption on your computer.[1]

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[1] NUIT, Disable P2P Applications; http://www.it.northwestern.edu/security/nubayu/p2pdis.html