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:)