I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

Good evening,

I was wondering if any of the technical bods could help me. I've recently discovered my daughter has been secretly downloading copyrighted music and films via Limewire on her laptop. :(

To save ourselves from the possibility of legal action, I'd like block all P2P traffic. I've been through her PC and deleted all the music, films, and Limewire, but I can't stop her loading it back on. Is there anything I can do on my Wireless Linksys router (WRT54GS), like blocking the port ranges which will disable P2P but hopefully leave everything else unaffected?

Sadly I'm unsure how P2P works, so I need a bit of help.

Many thanks.:)

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

I think it should be possible to block the ports on thre router, or at least you could limit your daughters computer account - this may prevent her loading a new p2p program.

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

good luck lol

there are many ways to block it but any determined teenager can over come them

the best thing to do is ask them not to and if you cant trust them stick the computers in the room with you

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

Give her a limited account on the laptop and uninstall any p2p programs

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

The other option is to remove the laptop and only let her use it when she near you.

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

i am also intersted in this , it is murdering one of my friends online gaming sessions with his sister doing p2p , i have found port blocking on his router (same one as mine) but how do i find out which port the program is using?

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

I wouldn't want to go as far as banning her from using her laptop in private as she'd drive me insane with that MSN / Bebo rubbish. :(

It's a hard one and hopefully there's a port or something I can block without having to lock down her laptop. I dread to think of the hissy fit if I did! :shocked:

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

hmmm... not a good basis for the development of trust and will likely only increase tension and resentment, meaning the most likely outcome of such an action will be more acts against the will of authority (in this case, the parent).

yes, there are ways of blocking p2p use using software methods, but I honestly believe the best way to deal with the situation in the first instance is to use trust and simply request she stop using such methods to obtain files. show her that you feel she is old enough and responsible enough to make that choice herself. obviously explain the implications of her actions by downloading illegally. there's nothing worse than seeing a parent tell their child not to do something with the reasoning of 'because I told you not to'... you need to explain the reasons behind the request for it to hold any value to the child. how would you feel if you were told you were not getting a pay rise 'because'?

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

Well if she's downloading from Limewire then she'll prob have a virus before too long.

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

Would this work?

I've been through all the ports in the Wiki list and blocked anything that says it's used by Bittorrent or Peer 2 Peer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...P_port_numbers

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

But one of the basic options is to change the port number. Plus most of these applications will work in a passive mode when blocked which in most cases results in a slower download speed but not stopped all together.

I think the best way to go is a limited user account. I think all parents should do the same really as it makes it near to impossible for the kid to infect the pc with malware/spyware/viruses. This also stops kids like my 12 year old cousin installing 18 rated games as the parent has the last say over what gets installed etc (Thats actually a bad example as his mum wouldn't stop him if she could).

Can I just ask how old your daughter is? If she is below 12 hissy fit or not she shouldn't be using the laptop online unsupervised. And to be honest upto the age of 15 or 16 she should really have partial supervision and a limited account anyway.

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

Almost 15. So you think blocking ports won't work but only slow it down? I may 'borrow' her computer later and install some P2P software to see if it's blocked. :) I'm not installing that virus riddled p2p rubbish on my PC!!

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

Its not virus riddled. i've been using P2P since 2001 when i started using Morpheus and have never got a virus from P2P.

As everyone else said, just limit the account, but that could cause problems if she wanted to install other programs like Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo etc...

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

Though that could be all pre-installed when the account is set up by the OP.

---------- Post added at 21:44 ---------- Previous post was at 21:40 ----------

To be fair most p2p doesn't have any viral code in it, it's just some of the stuff thats shared that does.
Though morpheus and limewire in some of their earliest incarnations (Now defunct) used to be full of spyware.

It's definitely worth a try seeing if what you have done has actually blocked the software rather than just slowing it down but it is also worth noting that just because it doesn't work now that doesn't mean it can't be reconfigured by your daughter to work later on.

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

Unlike that other touch decision of how much time we allow our children to spend on places like MSN/Facebook & Bebo etc the "downloading illegal content" question shouldn`t be such a difficult one i dont believe.
The bottom line is that pilfering the kinds of stuff we`re talking about is illegal and if you as the parent dont want your 12Yr olds breaking the law then it`s up to you to make them see sense.If that eventually means taking the computer off them then so be it.

Education & trust are far better weapons of course:)

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

Does Lime Wire us a central server for information such as connecting peers to other peers?

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

no

and port blocking will be about as affective as using a sieve to block a hole if the people on the other computers still want to use p2p software

some routers will let you prioritise some connections that may be more effective for those just wanting better gaming speed

for the others you need to talk to your children and if they are not old enough tobe responsible then no matter how much grief you get its your responsibility to monitor what they do and the only real way to do that effectively is to have them with you while they surf

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

Age & responsibility are not always as clear cut unfortunately.Our 9 Yr old is often more responsible acting than our 12,14 or 16Yr olds and sometimes our 5 Y old put`s them all to shame.

Physically monitoring them all is just not practical for us though.
At the moment our 5 & 9Yr old do share a laptop set up in the sitting room but the 12,14 & 16Yr olds all have their own machines in their own rooms.
They all know that i can still see/monitor/log whatever their up to at anytime i want,if i so choose....no need to be hovering over them.
In fact,the only person here who suffers "flybys" is me....:angel:.

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

Might be a good idea for the OP to invest in Virgin Media's new music service when it comes out

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

From the discussions I've had with my daughter, everyone in her school with access to a computer steals off the internet.

It's a sorry state of affairs that it's so difficult to stop. :(

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

:LOL::LOL::LOL::LOL:

From the crashing about and screaming there is upstairs little miss grumpy has just realised I've blocked all peer 2 peer and torrent sites by using the "website blocking by keyword" utility on my linksys router.

I set up 3 policies and blocked all download sites I could find and all common p2p keywords I could think of. I blocked the iPlayer for testing the website blocking. I think the likes of Limewire would still work ... but it's currently the best I can do. :D

I'll be keeping an eye on the RX light on the router to see how effective it is.

http://www.imagehut.net/images/ekj2kqdi29jc0j0f0ka.jpg

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

You could also block limewire.exe using a firewall

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

I'll have a look into that. Thanks.

I think it's sad that it's nigh on impossible to stop. It'd be great if there was a block all p2p traffic option on the router or modem considering it's the account holder who will get taken to court even if a stranger hacks their WIFI.

I seem to be the only person on the forum bothered? I've also noticed that many people state they download 24/7 from p2p on Virgin Media, it's obvious it's not legal content either.

Am I going over the top worrying about it? Nobody else seems to care. :(

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

Our kids have had their internet connection removed and limited accounts installed due to their obsessive compulsion for downloading from torrents.

Trust is a big key and we have removed their limited accounts now but they are aware that we can & do monitor what they do on their PC's (although we cant find out everything its enough of a deterrent that they are now behaving with their internet usage)

Even by adding a limited account there are ways around this that I wasnt aware of until I stumbled across something that the youngest was trying to do.

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

I was just about to suggest this. Also another method would be something like NetLimiter, and limit the speed of the program to zero as well, as a secondary measure.

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

You have every right as a parent and as the person who pays for the internet connection to insist that she obeys the rules over copyrighted material and if she persists despite you asking her to stop then you have every right to cut off her access to the internet.

As for those talking of trust, it's a two way process.She should trust you do the your parental duty of protecting her and the family as a whole and respect your rights and belifs in this matter.

And before anyone suggests that her rights are being abused can anyone point to me the ruling that has made internet access for children a matter of human rights. ;)

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

One problem with blanket banning p2p would be the loss of skype and similar legal systems :(

Taken from wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skype#System_and_software

It is worth remembering that NOT all p2p is illegal and some can be very useful. I believe Linux is distributed in a similar way :angel:

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

Skype will still work via port 80 and 443, or at least we got it past several enterprise firewalls with no issues like that :)

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

Nah it's a worrying thing but people wont stop downloading until there is consequences to their actions really.....at the moment it seems people get away with downloading anything they like.

If I was you though personally id be more concerned at what your daughter is upto on the internet in her bedroom she could be talking to anyone or she could be one of those lasses that like flashing themselves all over facebook and the likes.

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

Have you had a look at OpenDNS (www.opendns.com)? It can be "installed" on your router, and lets you block p2p in general and several sites in particular, and open selected sites. You also get a summary of usage so can see at a glance if anything "naughty" has been happening.

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

I think that you will find that OpenDNS does not block p2p as such, it blocks access to DNS entries related to p2p (when that option is ticked). The forums on the site confirm this.

Re: I would like to block P2P file sharing
 

:Yes: