Starting Friday, November 1, 2024, UNCG will block BitTorrent traffic on its network. This decision is part of the university’s ongoing effort to maintain a secure and responsible online environment for students, faculty, and staff. BitTorrent, often associated with file sharing, poses significant risks to network security, data integrity, and compliance with legal and institutional policies.
why the block?
BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing protocol that enables users to share large files quickly. While it has legitimate uses, it is frequently associated with illegal content distribution, such as copyrighted movies, music, and software. Even when used for legal purposes, BitTorrent’s nature creates potential vulnerabilities:
- Security threats: BitTorrent users are highly vulnerable to malware, viruses, and malicious software because of the unregulated nature of the platform.
- Legal risks: Using BitTorrent to download or share copyrighted material without permission can lead to serious legal consequences, including fines or lawsuits.
- Network congestion: BitTorrent can generate significant network traffic, impacting the performance of critical academic and administrative applications.
By blocking BitTorrent, UNCG is taking proactive steps to ensure the security of its campus community and uphold its commitment to providing a reliable network for academic and professional activities. While this change may inconvenience a small number of users, it is an essential measure to protect the broader campus community from the risks associated with P2P file sharing.
Visit the UNCG Knowledge Base article on the Risks of Using BitTorrent at UNCG for more details.
What This Means for Students, Faculty, and Staff
As of November 1, any attempt to use BitTorrent on UNCG’s network will be blocked. This includes both on-campus wired and wireless connections, as well as any connections made using a university-issued VPN.
Secure Alternatives for File Sharing
UNCG provides secure, compliant file-sharing options through OneDrive and SharePoint. Both platforms offer safe ways to store and share files, ensuring that the campus network remains protected and operational.
If you’ve been using BitTorrent for academic or professional file transfers, now is the time to switch to OneDrive or SharePoint.
If you have questions or need technical assistance, please contact 6-TECH at (336) 256-TECH(8324), [email protected], or submit a ticket online.
