Illegal Downloading & File Sharing

Downloading Without Paying: Why is it illegal?


Who's Watching?



Consequences of Illegal Downloading

Legal & Monetary


  • Up to five years in jail
  • Fines and charges of up to $150,000 per file



Viruses & Spyware

Illegal downloading places your computer at high risk of receiving viruses. Most illegal downloading is done through Peer-to-Peer (P2P) software, which allows people to share their files with others. Since you have no idea where you are getting the files from, you have no way of knowing if they are infected with viruses or spyware.  Downloading infected files to your computer could result in loss of data, excessive pop ups, slow Internet connection and possible identity theft.  An active anti-virus software will not always protect you from viruses obtains through P2P software.

How to Prevent Illegal Downloading & Sharing

Most Peer-to-Peer (P2P) software (see examples below) has file-sharing features that are turned on by default making any song or movie files on your computer available to others for download. In effect, you are distributing copyright materials without even knowing it. Know what software you have on your computer and how it works. Turn off any file-sharing options.

If you have a wireless router setup in your dorm room or apartment, be sure to setup security, including a good password. Only give that password to people you trust. If someone connects to your wireless router and downloads or shares files illegally, that activity will be traced back to you and you will be held liable.

If you are a student living on the Webster Groves campus, you can take your computer, for free, to the ResTech office, and they will help you remove or disable any file sharing software that might be on your computer.

Examples of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Downloading and Sharing Software

  • Limewire
  • Kazaa
  • Bearshare
  • BitTorrent
  • Ares


Fact and Fiction

Fiction Fact
No one at Webster has ever been caught for downloading music or movies illegally. Every semester multiple people at Webster are notified of their violations of copyright law.
Even if I do get caught there are no consequences. I'm small time. Besides the laws which can fine you up to $250,000 and sentence you to five years in prison (that's for a first time offender), illegal downloading is against Webster acceptable use policy and can result in disciplinary action.
There is no way for Webster to trace a download back to me. I'm safe. If illegal downloading takes place on Webster's network it can be traced by the RIAA/MPAA and Webster's IT department back to the computer that received the file.
Downloading a song or movie is not really stealing. If this is a song or movie that you would typically have to pay for and you download it without paying it is stealing. There is no difference between taking a CD from a store and downloading your favorite song. Both are stealing.
If I am downloading on my own personal computer that is connected to the Webster network, I am safe. Any illegal downloading which takes place on a personally owned computer, if it occurs while that computer is connected to Webster's network, is still governed by our Acceptable Use Policy.