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Geek Culture / Any way to track file sharing?

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WOLFY
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Posted: 15th Sep 2003 19:44
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I have a simple question. I do the IT work (among other things) for my current employer. I'm not really trained in the field, but I know enough to do the job.
Lately I've noticed that some people have file-sharing programs installed on their computers. While I could personally care less, with all that is going on with the RIAA I feel it is my responiblity to be fairly concerned. I don't want to be an arse and make people un-install the programs. What I'm most worried about is my boss eventually coming to me and asking if we are somehow preventing it. In that case I guess I could make everyone uninstall them.
The other thing though that slightly concerns me is using our bandwidth for downloading entire movies, WAREZ or porn. It is easy enough to find out someones website history, but if someone is using a file-sharing program to download the stuff, how do you know? Is their any kind of filters out there to help detect these type of things? I've done some quick searches on the net but haven't came across anything. Like I said, I don't want to be an arse to anyone, but I would like to get the situation in check (or make sure that it already is) before the sh*t hits the fan.

Thanks for the help....

WOLF

HOOOWWWLLL!!!
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CattleRustler
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Posted: 15th Sep 2003 19:48
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As far as the sharing files at your company, all of those fs clients like for morpheus or kazaa have to use a particular port for communication. Configure your firewall to block access to the ports and you should be able to block users from file sharing outside of your network.

There may be more involved in this but as long as you/your dept administers the firewall and no one else has access you can block up the whole joint

-RUST-
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OSX Using Happy Dude
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Posted: 15th Sep 2003 19:52
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The BBC web site did have a vague description of how the RIAA are getting the information (Kazaa was, from what was described, leaving traces of itself around the internet) - unfortunately not much could be gleemed from that, and whether it also applies when the anti-RIAA filters are active or not is not know.

I think you could look at the ports that Kazaa (for example) uses on each machine, but that is configurable.

The other way would be to examine the bandwidth useage of each machine - if its too much then you do something about it.


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WOLFY
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Posted: 15th Sep 2003 19:55
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Yes, but the file-sharing programs could also be set up to not use any ports. This prevents the person from being able to share their files, but not from downloading files. The only file-sharing program that I am somewhat familiar with is WinMX. I know their is a setting "I'm behind a firewall and their is nothing that I can do about it." The other options for this setting is the port. If you use the first setting that I listed the outside can not get in, but their is a "direct connection" setting (instead of proxy) that still enables you to search and download. Thanks for the suggestion though...

WOLF

HOOOWWWLLL!!!
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WOLFY
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Posted: 15th Sep 2003 19:58
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Yeah, I guess I could monitor bandwidth....
I was just hoping that there was a little bit better solution.

HOOOWWWLLL!!!
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Ian T
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Posted: 15th Sep 2003 20:06
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Well, you could just make it clear that you knew they had them installed, and didn't want them used for anything except (whatever you think is fine). The effectiveness of that would depend on the size of the company of course.

Alternitevly you could just run regular checks on the computers... movies should be easy to spot, warez less so but still possible, porn much less so.

G'luck.

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IanM
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Posted: 15th Sep 2003 21:22
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This is where software firewalls can come into their own. With the right piece of software you can stop any program accessing the net. For example, with Norton, you can set it to allow only certain programs access to the net. I would guess that the configuration program could be kept under admin control.

Don't forget too that (depending on your location) the company you work for is just as liable for suing as the individuals are. Now how happy would your boss be about that?
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Mentor
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Posted: 15th Sep 2003 21:41 Edited at: 15th Sep 2003 21:44
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just delete the trash, file shareing apps and all, tell em you had a E-mail from the RIAA enquiring about file shareing apps at your place and you decided to remove them just in case, most of them will be so worried they won`t complain , anyway the sods should be working, not downloading porn and warez, theres always some git from the office down the shop floor wanting more done in less hours at our place, about time these office bods did something for a living

Mentor.

ps: you could install loggers on all the machines and check what they where doing later,after hours, could be interesting , and they shouldn`t be using works machines for personal use anyway.
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WOLFY
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Posted: 15th Sep 2003 21:56
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Mentor,
I kind of agree, but....
We have a small and pretty efficient company. As long as everyone is getting their work done, no one really cares if you spend some time browsing the net and such (In fact, I am at work now ). We have a good bit of freedom, and I don't want to get the ball rolling to take that away.
I guess I'll just talk to some people about it (not management). I'll bring up computer speak such as "virus" and "security". I don't know if people are using the programs in the wrong way or not. I just thought there might be some kind of filter/alert program that could be set up so I could only have to converse with any offenders.
Oh well....

HOOOWWWLLL!!!
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CattleRustler
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Posted: 16th Sep 2003 01:32
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In the end it comes down to putting your finger in the face of the offenders and telling them "knock it off" or else...



-RUST-
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MushroomHead
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Posted: 16th Sep 2003 13:08
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Check your IP's here too see if you've been subpoened by RIAA

http://www.eff.org/IP/P2P/riaasubpoenas/
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