How does Rose-Hulman track information regarding File Sharing?

Content Owners Can Identify You!

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and other organizations use the same Peer-to-Peer (P2P) software you use. A few examples are BitTorrent, Limewire, and uTorrent. They will search the Internet looking for one of their copyrighted works. They can identify the IP address the file sharer is using. Once this information is gathered, RIAA, and others, will send an Infringement notice to the Internet Service Provider – whether that is a cable company, AT&T, Frontier … or the College or Institution providing you with Internet Service.

How does RHIT know which user should receive the infringement notice?

When RHIT receives an infringement notice, the IP address of the network user is included in the information. An RHIT IP address can be tracked to the device using this address.
When you use the RHIT Network, wireless or wired, you must register each device you wish to add to the network. Once registered, your device has a RHIT IP (Internet Protocol) address assigned to it. When an infringement notice is received, the IP address of the offender is checked against the IP addresses assigned to RHIT users.  You will be identified.  If you receive a copyright infringement notice, please visit the Service Desk to watch an informative video.  The Service Desk is open Monday – Friday from 8 am – 5 pm.

Use of Routers

If you have registered a router in your name, remember that any traffic across this router will be tracked to you. If you have shared information with a friend or roommate regarding how to connect to your router, and this person illegally downloads a movie or a video game, it is YOUR registered router that will be tied to this incident.

Use of VPN Connections

When you log onto the RHIT VPN a record is created. This record includes the IP address you are assigned, the time you logged onto the RHIT Network and the time you logged off.  You will keep the same IP address for the duration of your connection.