Bits & Bytes

File Sharing: What You Need to Know

Published in The Aggie on October 26, 2005

The temptation to illegally download music, movies, and software can be a big one, but the "free" goods pale in comparison to the consequences, which might entail academic probation, suspension from campus Internet services, and a lawsuit.

During the 2004-05 school year, Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notifications filed against UC Davis were the lowest they'd been in three years, but 2005-06 is not off to an equally low start. And at least 75% of such transgressions are committed by students, which means you need to be aware of the risks involved so you don't become part of that statistic.

How File Sharers Get Caught
File sharing is easy to detect. A whole new industry of companies paid to find illegal file sharing employ scanning technology that identifies computers providing copyrighted material.

The Security Hazards of File Sharing
Most people believe that downloading a single movie or a few songs won't put them at risk of being caught. The problem lies, however, in signing on to a peer-to-peer file sharing program. Once you've done so, everything contained on your computer is available for upload to other members whenever you're on the Internet, which is any time your computer is turned on if you're on ResNet or DSL. If another peer-to-peer member asks for a file on your computer, the software happily sends it without you knowing it.

Think about it: your social security number, stored passwords, and other private data you wouldn't want strangers accessing is available to someone looking for more than entertainment. Can you say "ID theft?"

What's more, in using a file sharing program, you could be downloading viruses or spyware. To arm your computer against such virtual villains, do the following:

Keep your antivirus/antispyware programs updated and run them often.
Install the latest security patches on your operating system.
Scan new software with your antivirus program before installing it.
Use freeware and shareware only from sources you trust.
Executable (.exe) files install immediately on your computer, so don't click on one unless you know what it is and who it's from.

If you are a UC Davis student without antivirus or spyware removal programs, drop by IT Express in 182 Shields Library for a free Internet Tools CD, containing Symantec AntiVirus, Ad-Aware, and Spybot, or download these programs at My.UCDavis.edu/software.

Pirating, UC Davis, and You
Students whose computers are found to be trading media illegally, even if a visitor used the computer to do so, are required to meet with Student Judicial Affairs. Internet access is terminated until that process is complete, and possibly permanently, depending on the circumstances. Worse still, names are tracked and warnings go in academic files for the duration of college careers.

Staff and faculty also face sanctions if caught sharing illegal files, and yes, they too have done so.

If you are accused of illegal file sharing, either on the giving or receiving end, the university cannot protect you from being sued. A lawsuit begins when, instead of sending a DMCA notification to the Internet Service Provider (the university if you're using ResNet, a campus connection, the modem pool, or campus wireless), the copyright owner asks a court to issue a subpoena for the ISP to turn over the file sharer's name. When UC Davis receives a subpoena, it does its best to contact the individual first, but it must respond. After that it's between you and the copyright owner, and you can bet the process will be a lot more expensive than anything you got free through the peer-to-peer service.

Interested in technology?
Check out a unique IET job opportunity at technews.ucdavis.edu/news2.cfm?id=1176.

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Housing happiness: Where to look

Published in The Aggie on March 15, 2006

For some, the search for the perfect place to live next year began - and ended - in February. But for the rest of us, the time of the year has arrived for the mad scramble to find housing, roommates or both. Read on carefully, for below are the golden keys needed to unlock the doors of housing happiness.

Living on campus
So, you have decided that being as close as possible to your classes is the number one priority. You have many resources at your fingertips, the first of which is the Student Housing website (housing.ucdavis.edu). Here you will find information about any and every possible living situation on campus. There are floor plans and 360-degree views for residence halls, lots of information about the campus-affiliated private apartments and information on other interesting options (i.e., The Co-ops, even the Hobbit-esque Domes). The choices are yours for the surfing.

Living off campus
Living off campus can be a challenge, but many find that the rewards are great. Within these resources lie the answers to your housing questions.

Davishousing.com
Developed by a group of UC Davis graduates, this site offers a comprehensive listing of available rooms and apartments. This site has it all, from ultra-cheap rooms to top-of-the-line rentals, and you can also search for roommates if your "buddy" flaked on you and you have an empty room that needs to be filled.

Community Housing Listing (chl.ucdavis.edu)
This site, which is managed by ASUCD, has a large database of off-campus classifieds. Here you can find a roommate, an apartment or an opening in a house. All of the listings are free to view, and this site is sure to give you a few leads.

Craigslist.org
Craigslist.org is a free classifieds site that is especially popular with those looking for a place to live. Your search can be targeted with a price range and keywords (e.g., "south Davis" or "female only"). Whether you are looking for a room in a house or an apartment all to yourself, this is a good place to visit.

ApartmentRatings.com
This unique site allows users to get uncensored information about local apartment complexes. Although many reviews are actually gripes, this type of site can help reveal the hidden flaws of an apartment complex: Do the apartments have bug or pest problems? Is the plumbing good or so old it often leaks through from upstairs apartments? How safe are the apartments? Are the walls seemingly made from two-ply toilet paper? This site will help you to find out.

Once you decide whether you want to live on or off campus, check out these sites and find what suits you best. As for the next important step - finding somebody with a truck who will help you move - you are on your own. Finding housing happiness is not impossible. In fact, with the resources above, it's pretty likely. Good luck!

Bits&Bytes is produced by the IET department. Send comments to science@californiaaggie.com.