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Originally posted by: matt oz
When I'm at school, I can't use any downloading programs, such as Azureus (a torrent client) or DC++. I assume I also wouldn't be able to hook up my Wii with the LAN adapter, should I decide to buy one. I connect to the internet via an ethernet cable in my wall. I know some people here who say they can use such programs, but they said that someone else did it for them and they don't know how.
I used to have a laptop that I would take home on weekends to download stuff - mostly TV shows I missed during the week due to classes. But now I have a desktop, so I'd have to take my portable hard drive home, use my parents' computer to download, then bring it back to school. And I can almost guarantee that one of my parents would either turn the computer off or close the program, even if I explain it to them or put a post-it on the screen.
First off, my guess is that you log in to the school network with a password. It wouldn't be simply plug and surf, otherwise you wouldn't be having this issue. This leads me to think that your school would frown upon you trying to break through the firewall (which would show up in a simple portscan using a tool like nmap - don't try it, admins can read the logs and something like that will stand out like a sore thumb unless you use it really cautiously). Network traffic can be matched to particular machines and the logins will show who is using the machine. You'd be caught easily.
Next, using those programs will maximise the bandwidth to your computer - that's how P2P works. They will use a portion of the bandwidth for communicating with peers, managing requests and keeping things running smoothly. Bittorrent is notorious for this - even with the ability to change port settings, it will become obvious what you are up to.
I suggest not worrying about the school network, as there's little to gain and lots of pain involved. Instead you can do a few things to the home computer.
1. Set the maximum upload and download limits so that they add up to 50% of your maximum connection - this means that you won't be significantly affecting other people on the connection. Happy people means they finish their computer work and leave sooner.
2. Set the programs to minimize to the system tray instead of appearing as program windows. They won't get closed unless people get annoyed at the lack of bandwidth, and then know where to look for the culprits.
3. Leave the monitor off during the day. If the computer isn't making a lot of noise (you'll hear the fans going most of the time) then it'll look like it isn't even on. And if they turn the monitor on, they'll be greeted by the computer.
Just hope that they don't turn it off afterwards, and you'll be in business!
Topic: How can I bypass my school's firewall? (Read 5375 times)
