Current Release: September 11th, 2007 | Vol. XXIV Iss. 10

No more file sharing on VWC computers

By Patrick Shahayda

mpshahayda@vwc.edu

As some may have noticed this year, it has become much harder, or in some cases, impossible, to download music via the school’s computers. Due to changes in VWC policy, downloading of a non-academic nature may soon become a thing of the past.

The initial problem arose last year. Sometime during last school year, a virus was discovered in the VWC network. The virus was particularly potent and destructive. The only cure to fix an affected hard drive was a “reformat” of the infected computer, “losing all data and installed programs,” according to Jack Dmoch, chief technology officer.

After intensive studying and testing, the virus was discovered to be caused by peer-to-peer file sharing, traditionally a realm of music downloading on campus, usually via an engine such as Limewire.

So, in order to combat the spread of the virus and others like it, VWC has decided to implement, for the first time, a program which puts an end to all peer-to-peer downloading and file sharing not relegated to an “academic” nature.

In accordance with the schools “acceptable use policy,” the computing network is now to be used for purely school related downloading. One should be respectful towards bandwidth, and not indulge in excessive use. So whether you use one of the schools computers, or whether you use your own laptop, you can now no longer do peer-to-peer file sharing.

VWC stands by this position, but says that ultimately legal and ethical use ultimately falls upon the individual user. Still, this is a first for VWC; the total banning of peer-to-peer file sharing is an unprecedented change at the college. Student response has been mixed.

Johnny Reyes, a sophomore, said: “I don’t use peer-to-peer on campus, but you can pick up a virus anywhere, you know?”

Other students had other opinions.

“I really don’t have a problem downloading music. I download probably three times a week” said sophomore Antonio Rivera. “I do not agree with the policy at all. I think file sharing should be allowed.”

Another student, who wished to remain unnamed, said, “I have the updated Limewire, so getting music or porn isn’t really a problem.”

So herein lies the problem—while the school has restricted file sharing, it is still relatively easy to find what you’re looking for on the internet, share your findings with friends, and thus pass around a virus. All it takes is a will and a stable internet connection.

So while the school may have banned peer-to-peer sharing, unless the school bans the internet, one is still at risk to contract a potentially lethal computer killer just by being on the net.