Announcements Archive
Announcements Archive
Peer-to-Peer file sharing software can no longer be used
Aug 18 2008Jan J. van der Aa, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice President for Information Services/CIO
A very important change in the position we are taking on what is known as peer-to-peer file sharing software is now formalized in our HSC SPICE policy and standard sets: Peer-to-Peer file sharing software can no longer be used on computers used for HSC business.
Peer-to-Peer file sharing software such as Limewire, Morpheus, eDonkey, and many others are commonly used to find and download free music, videos, games and other software. It is very popular among people with mp3 (digital music) players. In a study over the past 12 months, the HSC Security Office found peer-to-peer file sharing software to be an unnecessary risk to HSC Restricted information because users end up sharing more contents of their computer hard drive than they intended. If you have peer-to-peer file sharing software installed on your HSC computer, you must uninstall it immediately. If you use your home computer for HSC business and you or a family member have installed peer to peer file sharing software on it, you can either uninstall the software or discontinue using your home computer for HSC business.
More on the risks of peer-to-peer file sharing software can be found at https://security.health.ufl.edu/p2p/
The approved changes can be found in TS0006 Electronic Communications and Data Transmission Policy and Standard.
All HSC SPICE Policies and Standards can be found on the SPICE policy web site.
If you have any questions concerning this policy contact your Unit ISM, or the HSC Security Office ( HSC-Security-L@Lists.ufl.edu )
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