File-Sharing Usage and Policy
The advent of peer-to-peer (P2P) technology combined with new utilities
to facilitate file-sharing activity causes a hardship to all Internet
Service Providers (ISP's). The problem is not unique to Unwired, but
is a worldwide issue wherever a shared network resource exists. The
issue grew as awareness increased, and new utilities were made available.
The function of downloading MP3s shares the same technology that allows
hackers to abuse our resources. In fact it opens a door for them.
A lot of people don't realize that Bearshare, Gnotella, KaZaA, Limewire,
Morpheus, etc. will share your downloaded songs and videos, use your
bandwidth (Internet speed), and turn themselves on without telling you.
Many people use these programs, but don't realize that the programs
run "hidden" in the background using your bandwidth and sharing
copyrighted files, allowing other users to illegally download from your
computer. If you use a peer-to-peer (p2p) file-sharing application like
KaZaA, you may be functioning as a server for others to download files
from your computer. Not only can this impact network performance for
your computer, but it can significantly impact all who use the Unwired
network. Most file-sharing applications enable sharing by default, often
without restriction.
Excessive bandwidth consumption can be a problem in that a few users
can consume the majority of bandwidth on the Unwired network, causing
poor performance for the rest of our customers. The concept of shared
bandwidth must be understood in order to get good service from your
Internet connection while not abusing the network and causing a problem
for others. There are two types of Internet access: shared and dedicated.
Dedicated Internet access means just what it says: you are entitled
to use 100% of your allocated bandwidth 100% of the time. Dedicated
Internet access starts at about $350 per month for a 256k connection.
This costs too much for the small business and home user, so the concept
of shared Internet access has prevailed. Shared Internet access depends
on all users using the network a portion of the time. This gives users
access to a high amount of bandwidth at a low cost, but it must be shared
with other users. Allowing programs such as these filesharing applications
goes against the shared bandwidth model in that it allows users from
the outside world to connect to your computer, comsuming 100% of your
connection 100% of the time (this is typical behavior). Additionally,
customers of Unwired who use filesharing programs to constantly download
material from other computers on the Internet creates the same problem
and cannot be allowed.
You can improve network performance and reduce excessive bandwidth
consumption by either managing or disabling sharing. Additionally, many
file-sharing applications come bundled with "adware" or "spyware"
which are automatically installed on your computer along with the file-sharing
application. This software can monitor your activity, sending information
to third-party vendors and advertisers on such things as what web pages
you browse or what searches you perform. Apart from privacy concerns,
these add-ons use your computer's system resources to operate and will
affect performance. Depending on how much spyware and/or adware you
have installed, this may be significant.
In addition to the bandwidth issue, it is worthwhile to understand
that the distribution of copyrighted material violates the Unwired
Terms of Service, and will subject you to suspension or termination
of your Internet connection.
Here are the things we want you to do:
