Your computer is connected to TTUnet and you are able to browse; however, peer-to-peer software on the computer is unable to connect.

Your computer is running peer-to-peer (P2P) software which is commonly used for illegal file sharing and is not authorized for communication over the TTU network.

Disable (or preferably, uninstall) any P2P software which may be installed on your computer.

Outcome

Your computer will be compliant with the security policies.

The use of peer-to-peer (P2P) software for the purpose of distributing copyrighted digital content such as movies, music, games, and software in violation of the 1996 Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is illegal on State of Texas computers and networks. Information Technology has historically (as of January 23, 2006) used various network-based technologies to detect and/or block P2P activity on all TTU networks. The university has also been diligent in responding to and acting upon DMCA violation complaints it receives from content owners and publishers such as the RIAA, MPAA, and others.

As other state agencies and organizations across the country have also increased their efforts to respond to DMCA violation complaints and block illegal file sharing, P2P software developers have responded with enhanced versions that are now able to evade traditional blocking measures. Content owners and publishers have responded in kind by proposing legislation—such as the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), and have renewed their diligence in filing DMCA complaints, primarily targeting US colleges and universities. These developments have resulted in a significant increase in the number of DMCA related complaints received by Texas Tech University. These legal notifications require TTU to implement new measures to mitigate illegal P2P activity on TTU networks.

Effective March 1, 2012, TTU began using more sophisticated techniques for blocking network access for any computer systems in the core TTUnet network found to be actively communicating using peer-to-peer software whose primary use is the illegal sharing of content. Effective March 6th, the same measures were implemented on the residence hall network. Client computers with P2P activity detected will be blocked on TTUnet, and a message will be displayed instructing the user to disable or uninstall the offending P2P software. After removal, the computer system will be allowed access, after a fifteen-minute delay.

Although peer-to-peer clients may offer legal file sharing, alternative methods of obtaining the legal content should be used instead. For example, the installation file for World of Warcraft (WoW) only takes a few seconds to download from the Web using HTTP rather than using P2P software. Note that P2P functionality in games and other software is not being blocked; only P2P programs that are commonly used for illegal file sharing and blocked.

We remind you that in addition to being expressly illegal on State of Texas networks, the use of P2P software for illegal file sharing could result in legal actions by content owners and publishers against TTU and/or individual TTU faculty, staff, or students. P2P software is also known to be a method of distributing computer viruses and other malware, often without knowledge of the user.

If you have questions about the use of peer-to-peer software or need technical assistance, please contact IT Help Central.