We issue warnings for users attempting to gain network access using systems with peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing applications installed. These applications present a legal and a security risk to our network infrastructure, the university and our users. P2P can also clog our network with non-essential traffic causing performance issues for our entire campus.

Examples of popular P2P applications that we track and issue warnings for include Limewire, Bearshare and Kazaa. While this is not a complete list, it is reflective of some of the more popular ones.

Users with these programs, when they are detected, will be prompted to uninstall the program from their machine in order to continue using the network.

While we realize there are many legal and legitimate uses for file sharing technology, we feel these uses do not outweigh the risks associated with them.

For more information about the risks of file sharing, please visit US-CERT.

If you require assistance removing file sharing applications from your computer, please contact the software vendor. If you still cannot remove the program, the Computer Services Help Desk may be able to provide assistance.

Please contact our office if you have any questions.