[Michlib-l] torrenting wireless policies/suggestions?

[Bruce MacDonald]

Using your connection to pirate movies not only slows your network, but
could land a library in hot water with the RIAA, who can report the
activity to your internet service provider.

Even though our wifi requires no password, we do have a "captive portal"
system in place to display our wireless policy. There are many other
options to do this.
http://www.securedgenetworks.com/security-blog/Why-is-captive-portal-important-for-wireless-guest-access

In the mean-time, you can dig into the settings in your wireless router. I
believe you will be able to disable torrenting. Even though there are some
legit uses for torrenting files, the vast majority is not traffic you want
on your network, and you can possibly deal with exceptions as they come up
(if they come up at all).
http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/20483/~/set-up-a-netgear-router-to-block-access-to-certain-websites

It sounds as though your staff machines are maybe using the same network
connection and hardware as your public machines, and wifi. This could also
create security headaches, and you have already seen with bandwidth needs
for your ILS strained. Your network should be segmented, with each segment
inaccessible to the other. This can be done virtually or physically. There
are expensive and inexpensive ways to do it.
https://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/cookbook-3/networking-and-security/bandwidth-management

Regards,
Bruce

Bruce A. MacDonald
Assistant Director / Head of Circulation
Peter White Public Library
Marquette, Michigan

On Thu, Apr 9, 2015 at 10:40 AM, Ms. TJ Smith <shermandirector at winntel.net>
wrote:

> We have been seeing a large increase in internet traffic and our wireless
> setup is simply not holding up. A particular problem is patrons using our
> wireless for torrents. Do any of you have policies in place regarding a
> limit on high-bandwidth activities? It is frustrating for our other
> patrons, many of whom are using the connection for schooling and business
> purposes, not to mention the staff trying to use VERSO.
>
> We currently have 6MB service through our provider (the highest package
> offered in our area) connected to an old router and switch. We have 5
> public computers, one catalog computer, and one staff station all
> direct-wired through the switch and at any given time 2-10 wireless devices
> attached. Our current router is a Netgear N300 WNR2000v2. We're looking to
> upgrade and add a wireless access point to allow us better control, but
> that does not make our current situation any easier to handle.
>
> I've been setting the lowest priority QoS for the torrent users when
> possible to try to make the connection usable by other patrons. Does anyone
> have any tips on how we can better get by in the meantime?
>
>
> Ms. TJ Smith
>
> Library Director
>
> Sherman Township Library
>
> shermandirector at winntel.net
>
> (989) 644-5131
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Michlib-l mailing list
> Michlib-l at mcls.org
> http://mail2.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
>
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