Hey /g/, I need your help. I was caught torrenting copyright protected material by my school. They seem to know that I have installed utorrent, and they have a list of files that I torrented (those that violate the copyright shit). My school has a registered all the IP address (and possibly mac address) of all my devices that I have used to connect to the internet via university's network.
I'm asking if there is any way that I can torrent safely and at the same time not let them "backdoor" my PC to check my files.
Use vpn, if on Linux use macchanger and disable ipv6,dns leaking, etc.
>>46921462
You NEED a VPN. I dont know what /g/ consensus is on the best vpn service but I'm currently using Private Internet Access which is running fine. BUT it's a subscription paid service.
>>46921502
Not OP but I've been using Pia for about 2 years now without any letters. Works absolutely perfect with ufw on raspberry pi seedbox
>>46921462
University sysadmin here. You seem to be misunderstanding some things.
Where I work (and at basically every other state university in the US due to various laws and standards) we don't inspect the content of any of your traffic, much less actively look for copyright infringement.
We get DMCA emails from rights-holders who have seen the IP you were using at the time in the swarm of a torrent of material they hold the rights to.
>They seem to know that I have installed utorrent
Many of these complaints include the torrent client you were using at the time.
>they have a list of files that I torrented (those that violate the copyright shit).
Just the ones we got complaints about.
>not let them "backdoor" my PC to check my files.
Are they actually proposing to do that?
Just use a VPN; you'll make life easier for yourself and your school's IT guys.
>>46921502
>PIA is a subscription paid service
I'm not sure what you meant by that line. Of course you have to pay for it, and it's not a subscription in the sense that it will automatically renew (unless you want it to).
However, if you want to anonymously pay for PIA, you can either send bitcoin or go buy a gift card from Walmart using cash and put the code into their paygarden form. It works rather well.
>>46921462
See if there's any way to connect to their wifi without tying it to your account.
My landlord sometimes sends out bullshit "stop pirating shit" emails to all tenants and calims they know who is doing it, but since everything gets NATed through one IP and there's no actual association of who's MAC address is whose, I know it's a complete bluff.
>>46921523
OP Here
Much appreciated man, the DMCA shit really fucks me up last time. Will get VPN and btw which Uni are you working in (out of curiosity)?
>>46921462
Get a VPN outside of the USA or other allied countries.
So said VPN company won't get fined millions of dollars for not giving your information to authorities when they ask for it (no warrant needed).
look at the Lavabit issue
>>46921462
>americucks getting cucked for pirating
ayyy
>>46921462
1. Use a VPN you trust
Using a VPN will encrypt your internet traffic to a certain extent and allow the /content/ of your packets to be completely hidden to those who wish to examine your traffic. Your school can still monitor your DNS if you are leaking DNS requests, but you can test this with simple tools when you have your VPN set up.
2. Install a peer managing software, like PeerBlock
Ensuring your not connecting to "dirty peers" is key to preventing getting caught. There are firms and actual corporations that seed their own copyrighted software to catch people downloading. Because your IP address is open when using torrents, these companies can find the source IP. You are more likely to be caught if you are connecting through an organization with a lot of money (companies aren't stupid; they send letters to small timers, but ruthlessly attack larger organizations to get money)
3. Make your downstream small, your upstream smaller
Downloading a file slowly will draw less attention to your connection. Depending on how equip your network is, a network admin worth any shit will know how to find the source of drag on a network. Keeping a low bandwidth profile will draw less attention to your connection under heavy load.
All of this will pretty much guarantee you a safe connection. Remember: these companies go against the easiest target. The trick isn't to make yourself impossible to detect; it's to make yourself harder to detect than your neighbor.
Seedbox.
>>46921584
A West Coast large state university, don't really want to say more. And yeah, a decent VPN will solve basically all of your issues. That or only use private trackers.
Rights-holders (usually their hired agencies in reality) specifically target known university IPs because we actually have to take action. You're a lot more likely to get nailed on a university connection than a home connection.
>>46921597
>2. Install a peer managing software, like PeerBlock
>3. Make your downstream small, your upstream smaller
I hope this is pasta because it's wrong on a whole lot of levels.
>>46921597
>Your school can still monitor your DNS if you are leaking DNS requests, but you can test this with simple tools when you have your VPN set up
Also, use a router that has DNScrypt installed.
>>46921597
One last thing
Sysadmins are too busy to give a damn about what you are doing on your connection.
As long as you avoid a DCMA, no one will give a shit.
>>46921616
Your school doesn't give a shit about what DNS requests you make. If you're using a VPN, the school's not going to get a DMCA. If the school doesn't get a DMCA, they don't care.
>>46921523
Not op, but at my school, they force everyone who wants to use campus internet to install a special program.
This program
A) Ensures you have a "University Approved" virus suite installed.
B) Check if you have stuff like common torrent clients, and if so, block won't let you connect.
Fortunately, if on Linux and co(Not OSX), they don't give a fuck and just don't enforce any policies, so I've never really cared, but it sucks for everyone else.
We use 'SafeConnect and Icarus', so you can google it if you want.
I can't find confirmation of this at the moment, but I'm also pretty sure they do a form of packet inspection as well....
>>46921462
The school probably* isn't doing anything to monitor you. In my experience, they receive a copyright complaint from an IP enforcement company (eg: Rightscorp) and then scold you from violating their network access policy. The notices sent to the school usually contain information like the time, title of work, IP address, client name, etc. With the time and the IP address and decent institution should she able to check their logs and see who had that address at that time; which is how they know it was you.
The catch all solution is not to torrent at school. The next best thing would be to use a VPN, or torrent from somewhere else (home, some remote server you rent, etc) and manage it / pull down the data over SSH / SFTP.
* - I'm sure some schools are more nosy, but for the most part it isn't economical for them to do Rightcorp's job for them.
>>46921523
Hello fellow sysadmin.
>>46921679
What the fuck? Is this a private college?
>I'm also pretty sure they do a form of packet inspection as well....
To be fair, basically everywhere does some form of packet inspection. I do to implement prioritization (i.e. gaming/VoIP traffic gets high priority, Netflix gets low), but no data on the content of packets is retained. It's mostly protocol checking.
>>46921686
Hello, brother
>>46921729
It's the largest college in the state.
Public too.
>>46921756
Huh. I'd really like to talk to whoever set those policies, since they sound both draconian and really ineffective.
>>46921686
To be fair, I would assume most schools don't exactly appreciate people hoovering up their bandwidth, much less with something illegal.
>mfw a school (not mine) banned and blocked ALL p2p, not just illegal stuff
>wowfags and lolbabbies couldn't play their games because of p2p updaters
I think they had ways to disable the p2p aspect but most of them are probably too dumb
>>46921798
Noobfag passing by, want to know how
>>46921798
>people hoovering up their bandwidth
Shouldn't be an issue when each user | client connected is limited to some small portion.
>>46921798
These days, p2p is a pretty small fraction of bandwidth consumption. Netflix is the biggest bandwidth hog by far, it usually sits at 70-80% of total bandwidth consumption on my network. p2p of all forms is <5%.
>>46921771
Eh, at this point you could google it if you really wanted, so I'll just say it.
It's University of Florida, if you want to google more about the insane network policies.
>>46921849
Well, keep in mind this was a few (5 or so) years ago when there was a ton of shit about p2p in schools and netflix wasn't quite as popular.
>>46921838
Know what?
>>46921866
"Naspter"
Insane p2p traffic if I remember correct
>>46921849
I would guess it depends on how many people live on/off campus too.
>>46921891
Napster was ancient shit. I remember first it was Napster, then Limewire, Kazaa was somewhere in there too. Then it transitioned to torrents.
>use limewire free to pirate limewire pro
Did they really expect pirates to pay for piracy software?
>>46921865
Kek, I was thinking it was UF from how you described it.
I'm not in a CS Programm, and I only know of one other person that uses linux. Thank god I can use the "Linux lets me torrent" excuse so people don't think I some crazy weirdo for not using Windows.
>tfw you torrent windows in a lab cause you were having issues with your VM
>>46921865
Holy shit, this is insane. The entire thing reeks of idiots who have no idea of how to manage their network and enact retarded shit to try to do their job for them. I'm actually a little upset.
At my workplace, one of our guiding principles is that we're basically the ISP for all these students. They expect internet service like they expect any other utility. In fact, in some surveys incoming freshmen have said that they'd rather go without hot water than without wifi. To that end, we run our operation as much like a commercial ISP as we can (sans corporate moneygrubbing bullshit) and not like some locked-down shithole where the user is treated like access is a privilege they're lucky to get, not a utility they're paying for.
>>46921941
Those numbers I quoted are for for residential network (i.e. dorms and university-owned apartments, not academic buildings). Dunno what the stats on the latter would look like.
>>46921970
The part that irks me the most is the constant false dichotomy that we either do this, or people can't do academic things because of like of bandwidth.
Like QoS isn't a thing.
Maybe me very glad I live of campus, and is one of the reasons I imagine dorms aren't popular here.
Other than the insane network staff, which I never interact with, it's quite a nice school I think.
>>46921970
Oh, it defintely is. I've had issues in the past on Windows machines where I would be unable to connect because my java was updated. They would let you connect to Oracles domain, but you wouldn't be able to download anything.
They also make you use a university vpn through cisco safeConnect to get access to software and services off campus. Everyone I know has been having issues in the last month or so and hasn't been able to connect properly.
>>46922028
*java was not updated
>>46922028
I've also had issues where it detected out of date flash, wouldn't allow an internet connection, and eventually we realized it was chrome.
Upon uninstalling chrome, (Firefox user, so I innerly happy), my friend was able to connect.
>>46922020
>The part that irks me the most is the constant false dichotomy that we either do this, or people can't do academic things because of like of bandwidth.
Yep, they're retarded. You're right, QoS packet shaping maybe combined with volume-based shaping is more than enough to keep a network running smoothly, unless they're trying to run a few tens of thousands of people's worth of traffic through a tiny pipe, in which case they should just get off their asses and upgrade.
>>46922028
I've just been using ssh instead of that shitty ass vpn.
You can even use x forwarding.
I've been using that for when I need matlab.
>>46921592
>having to use a vpn is worse than paying VAT and having speech codes
stay gelded eurofag
>>46921970
Oh, another complaint.
The no server policy also applies to stuff like SSH, if I recall correctly.
You could probably ask for, and receive an exemption, but that's insane.
>>46922052
Yeah, It used to be were you could just uninstall flash, and I would let you connect no problem with Windows, but I don't think that works anymore.
>>46922068
I use OpenConnect since it integrates nicely with Windows. I'm suprised they give you guys access to Matlab, we have to buy the student version (or torrent). The student version is actually completely usesless though, because it doesnt come with simulink.
>>46922138
> integrates nicely with Windows
Fuck, I meant Knetworkmanager, damn im on a roll.
>>46921865
Ahaha, wow. That AUP sucks. I honestly wouldn't attend that school on those grounds alone.
>The usage of peer-to-peer software is strictly prohibited
>Please note that according to our Acceptable Use Policy, accessing and using a VPN client other than the UF Gatorlink VPN Client while on the UF Housing Network is prohibited
>must download and install the SafeConnect Policy Key software
>If the Policy Key software detects that that the computer is not in compliance ... computer will be isolated from the network
>*nix works anyway
Security theater.
>You are not permitted to network computers together ... creating LANs ... may not set up ad-hoc networks using wireless adapters or any type of network appliance.
>You may not connect to other Internet Service Providers using the DHNet connection as a means of accessing the Internet.
>Circumvent or bypass in any way the monitoring capability of DHNet staff to enforce this AUP
If I recall, you guys had alot of trouble playing Destiny at release because of these policies. Normally, I'd say the someone had a stick up their ass, but this really reeks of lazy + cheap management (and to a lesser extent sysadmins).
>>46921970
Pretty much this, or rather exactly this. Other sysadmin anon is consistently quicker to reply than me.
>>46922138
Well, it's installed on the uni linux lab, and I'm allowed to ssh in and do stuff on those machines, so....
>>46922157
Ah, I guess I could probably do that (I do have a CS account), but I do a lot of graphical stuff, so that won't fly.
>>46922154
Well, living off campus I've never had to touch it, and it's not a deal breaker when just using it for campus wifi, especially since I've got a grandfathered in unlimited plan I can fall back to.
It really does piss me off though.
>>46922183
As I said, x forwarding works.
add -XC and launch whatever graphical thingy you want. (You will probably need to ssh into one of the inner computers from the 'bastion' computer)
>>46922154
The best part about pretty much every "no VPN" policy:
>Run an OpenVPN on TCP:80
>Looks like HTTPS unless they track the duration of the connection
>VPN detection BTFO
>>46922132
Yep, wow. These people are fucking nuts. I don't block anything but 25 but hey, everyone does that.
>>46922154
>Security theater.
Yeah, I wonder how much of this shit is the result of some technoidiot high up in admin coming up with a bunch of retarded policies with some help from our friends at the RIAA and MPAA and then having nobody care enough/be competent enough to implement it in a functional way.
>>46922190
Clarification: Off campus linux user, I've never had to touch safeconnect, and Icarus is only for the dorms. (I think/hope).
>>46921462
Do you go to UCSB, OP?
>>46922154
Yeah also hang up funny posters like this around Campus
>>46922276
There are some horrible posters hanging around.
I don't take pictures though.
>>46922276
This entire shitfest makes me not sure whether I should laugh or be depressed.
>>46921462
>they have a list of files that I torrented (those that violate the copyright shit).
"files"
lol
you mean porn right
>>46922307
I love looking for porn DMCAsEvidence:
Work Title: Cum Craving Cuckolds
Copyright Owner: Combat Zone Inc
Unauthorized File Name: Cum Craving Cuckolds XXX (2014) DVDRip x264
>>46922302
I advise both.
>>46922307
There's no way it wasn't porn. OP is fucking retarded. Don't download tranny porn at school.
>>46922302
As a non-It person, I find it quite humorous that they act so seriously and put up all of these barriers to entry, will being entirely incompetent.
All of my friends use browser based torrenting services which go through with no issues.
I guess I don't really care because it doesn't effect me at all.
>>46922339
I guess a guy went on quite a streak a while agoEvidence:
Work Title: James Deen Will Cuckold You Copyright Owner: E.A. Productions / Evil Angel Unauthorized File Name: James Deen Will Cuckold You
>>46922339
How many false DMCA notices do you get?
There was some stuff a few years ago about how abusable BT as a protocol is. You could send a different IP to some trackers, resulting in completely nonsensical DMCA notices (like network printers getting notices).
>>46922307
Who pirates porn anymore
>>46922359
>How many false DMCA notices do you get?
Very few, as far as I know. When we get one, we go and look at DHCP leases, find the person and then their RA has a chat with them. They basically always fess up, so I can't think that many were in error.
>>46922372
Indians.
I guess I'll ask this here.
Would I get into any shit with my uni's internet if I used used a seedbox to download all of my stuff? Seedboxes don't use my internet to download thing right?
>>46922402
rofl
sometimes i can't believe how fucking dumb people are
>>46922402
You'd be completely fine*. Use sftp to download stuff from your seedbox if you're extra paranoid.
* if you don't go to a batshit insane school like the University of Florida
>>46922272
not op but i go to ucsb
>>46922272
OP here,
Nah, I go to a Midwest uni
>>46922421
>rofl
There is a reason why I asked anon. I'm hardly an expert on this shit.
>>46922439
>>46922272
OP here
I got offers from both UCSB and UCSD tho
>>46922454
So you were downloading porn right?
>Retard can't even torrent
RIP /g/
>>46922467
Kek, yes I did
BUT I wasn't caught downloading porn tho
>>46922391
damn
>>46922485
What were you caught downloading?
WAIT WAIT WAIT
if u use vpn ur traffic gets sned to the network then to ur thing then yadda yadda
but HOW DOES VPn gets away with it?
>>46922504
Just some furry porn, I'm not even into furry I was just curious.
Didn't know you could copyright low budget furry shit.
>>46922504
Software, movies
I go to a primarily commuter campus so I don't have a problem, since I live off campus.
A friend of mine that goes to WWU got caught torrenting and it scares me
>>46922514
Because it's encrypted. All they'll see is a single encrypted connection. They don't know what's going on inside of it.
>>46921597
>2. Install a peer managing software, like PeerBlock
Placebo, every single DCMA complaint and subpoena is made from a home ip. Torrent traffic is monitored by third parties using domestic connections, so they're impossible to track. Peerblock is an effective waste of cycles. I can't believe retards are going back to recommending this stupid, pointless software in here.
>>46922526
What movies, I can tell you stories.
>>46922552
all who? they literally are asking data from a torrent place
albeit the data isn't stored there they still ask for it
is that the trick? no data?
OP here
After reading all this shit (most of which I had to google to understand), /g/ seems to be a nice board
Will visit more and learn some actual shit
>>46922590
>from a torrent place
are you sure you're in uni?
is getting into uni such a joke in america?
>>46922627
No thanks, fuck off and stay away
>>46922646
Typical /g/
>>46922526
>Movies
This is why you should only watch anime, no hollywood tier garbage, and the japs don't give a fuck about torrenting.
>>46922528
>WWU
As in Western?
If that's the case, the only thing that happens is they get told by their RA to knock it off and are banned from the network until they talk to their RA. It's nothing too terrifying.
>>46922669
>watching chinese children cartoon show
Based retard
>>46922631
im not from uni my friend im not even american
i am not op
i was just curious of this i just thought of this when reading this thread
>>46922627
Welcome to /g/ the consumerism board of 4chan.
In one month you'll be paranoid about NSA, you'll be running arch or gentoo, and create fizzbuzz program in python.
>>46921541
>anonymous
>implying they don't know what IP you connect from
>>46922767
Not only that, on my campus I can pull your MAC and hostname as well.
I have idiots all the time try to deny a first letter, then I send along the filename, IP, hostname and MAC and they buckle. I've never once had anyone try to contest a piracy case. Usually because they're downloading porn.
Usually gay porn.
>>46922792
Kek
>>46922792
>They don't spoof their mac address
Why?
>>46921679
Are you still here anon?
>>46921462
They didnt "backdoor" your pc. When you torrent you publicly broadcast the list of files and hashes of the files you want to download.
>I'm asking if there is any way that I can torrent safely
There is no way to torrent safely. You can torrent relatively more safely with a vpn. All your shool will see is a shit ton of encrypted traffic going to a ip address associated with a vpn.
>>46922767
They don't record which IPs are connecting, and always ensure that multiple people are using the same public-facing IP. It's within their financial interest to maintain this policy. If you use it for, idk terrorism or some shit, yeah expect your door to get busted down but for torrenting copyrighted material? Not a chance you'll get caught.
>>46922792
Which, when they're tunneling via VPN gives you... what, exactly? All you'll see is a bunch of encrypted packets to one IP, you can't tell what their finial destination is. But oh no, the hacker at tech support knows my MAC address. You're an idiot.
>>46923202
Yes.
>>46923158
Presumably, every MAC address needs to be registered (it will put you in a walled garden until you do).
>>46921679
What's the determining factor for "if on Linux and co"? User agent? Some TCP/IP fingerprint? Could someone just NAT themselves behind a Linux box (or VM for that matter)?
>>46921462
use a vpn anon
>>46923406
>every MAC address needs to be registered
This is legal in america?
>>46923482
When you connect to a private network, they can make you do anything they want.
When you connect to a cable ISP, you have to tell them the MAC of the cable modem. It's not really any different than that.
>>46923486
Not in my developed nation, anyone can use the university's internet without handing over their MAC address
Thank god I don't live in that shithole
