Gnutella Forums - Problem with Cox Communications?

well after having a few weeks of trouble.. I read this post.. and was hesitant to delete any file's or folders.. so I searched on the Cox cable support page.. to see what I could find. I dont know that non cox subscribers can axcess this page.. so I'll post the whole enchalada here... its kind of interesting what they say about .. not prohibiting file sharing .. and in the next paragraph.. they instruct users to turn off all sharing of files. however I can see on my computer .. it looks like others are getting lots more downloads off of my computer.. than I'm getting right now.

I didnot turn every thing off as cox recommended but I limited the # of uploads to 3 at a time.

at .. Tools>uploads>Basic ( uncheck the clear uploads)
and " " > slots select the max # of uploads

If you uncheck the clear uploads.. you can monitior over time the ammount of music your computer is "Assisting" others to get ie; file sharing.. and how many times these are " transfer interupted"

read and judge for your self.. about what there written policy is and .. what they seem to inforce by disconnecting..

from
http://support.cox.com/sdccommon/asp...ntredirect.asp

Home >> Online Safety

Information: Cox High Speed Internet Bandwidth Usage Policy FAQ Support.cox.net

Summary

The following information describes Cox High Speed Internet Bandwidth Usage Policy and serves as "Frequently Asked Questions" for Support.cox.net.

Frequently Asked Questions

In order to provide all Cox High Speed Internet customers with an optimal online experience, Cox must effectively manage network resources for all users. As part of our network management activities, we proactively identify accounts that may be utilizing excessive network bandwidth.

Privacy note: Cox does NOT track Internet sites that you visit or files you download - we only measure total bandwidth used for purposes of network management. Below are frequently asked questions regarding excessive bandwidth usage.

What Are the Current Cox High Speed Internet Residential Bandwidth Limitations?
Cox offers multiple packages of Service with varying speeds and bandwidth usage limitations (not all packages are available in all areas).

What Might Cause My Account To Use Excessive Bandwidth?

1. Often a peer-to-peer file sharing application such as KaZaa, Morpheus or Gnutella may be the problem. These programs operate as file servers by default and offer files from your hard drive to other Internet users, possibly causing your account to use excessive bandwidth without your knowledge. Instructions on how to configure many of these applications to avoid excessive bandwidth usage are provided below.
2. If you have a wireless home network, there is a possibility that other people are using your wireless network without your knowledge and greatly increasing your network usage. Please refer to the documentation provided with your networking equipment to secure your connection with a password.
3. Your computer may be affected by a computer virus. A virus will often send out mass emails from your computer without your knowledge. Installing antivirus software on your computer and scanning for possible infections may resolve this issue.
4. In some cases, excessive usage indicates the presence of a commercial Internet server. Customers using servers and/or bandwidth above normal amounts may be best served by a commercial account available from Cox Business Services (www.coxbusiness.com).

Does Using A File Sharing Application Violate the Cox Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)?
No, using a peer-to-peer file sharing program to download files does not in itself violate the AUP. If your software is already configured not to share files to other users, you should not have a problem. Please visit support.cox.net for more information and instructions for securing most common file sharing programs.

Does Having A Wireless Home Network Violate the Cox Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)?
No, however Cox does not provide support for your home network, unless you are a Cox Home Networking customer and your network was installed and configured by a Cox technician. You must take precautions to secure any wireless home network.

What Will Happen If My Account Continues To Use Excessive Bandwidth?
If the excessive usage is not corrected, your account may be suspended per the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP).

Where Can I View The Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)?
The AUP is available online at http://www.cox.com/policy/.

I have heard that there are "spyware" issues with most file-sharing software. Is this true?
Many of the file sharing applications do contain "spyware" that is used by affiliates and marketing companies. Besides being an invasion of your privacy, many End User License Agreements (EULAs) grant these companies the power to use your extra bandwidth, processor cycles, memory, and drive space as they see fit. This is being done through a process called distributed computing and means they can take a single job and split it up between millions of computers on their network.

Why does the program remain active after I have closed all windows?
We assume that this is to allow uploads in progress to complete; however, many users who are not familiar with these programs might not even realize that a program is still active. You should always be sure to fully exit a program when you have completed your session. Leaving a program open and unattended may present unnecessary security risks.

Do file-sharing networks pose additional risks to my computer becoming infected with viruses?
There are a number of viruses designed specifically to spread through peer-to-peer networks. In time this may become a much more serious concern. At the moment your best defense is to keep your anti-virus software updated. If a file you download seems smaller in size than expected, you should avoid running it. Many of the viruses that exist at the moment will rename themselves to mimic popular programs, music, or videos in hopes that the victim will open it.

How can I configure my favorite file-sharing application to prevent others from accessing my files?
Below you will find directions for disabling 'shared' access to your files using a variety of file-sharing software. Please be aware that newer versions of these programs may require additional or modified steps to perform this action. We recommend that users who are unable to disable shared directories consult their documentation or obtain another software package that contains this feature.

How can I tell how much bandwidth Iï¿½m using?
The development of a tool that will allow you to view your current bandwidth usage is a top priority for Cox. We will notify you as soon as this tool is available. Cox does not recommend the use of 3rd party bandwidth measurement meters as these applications have not been tested by Cox and are not synchronized with Cox's network management tools. Cox established very high bandwidth usage limitations in order to avoid the need for most customers to monitor their use. We will continue to proactively communicate to customers who exceed bandwidth limits via email and postal mail.

I thought you offered ï¿½unlimited accessï¿½?
Coxï¿½s "unlimited access" messaging was meant to convey that customers' Cox High Speed Internet connection is "always on", so customers do not have to dial-in to access the Internet, that the Cox HSI service is not subject to hourly usage limits, that Cox HSI customers can access any content or websites they choose over the Internet and that the service does not tie up a user's phone line.

Peer-to-peer software configuration
Note: Cox does not endorse or provide support for any of the applications listed below. We only provide the following information as a courtesy to our customers. The following instructions are valid for current versions of the application, which may be updated by the publisher at any time. If the information does not apply to the version you are using, or for additional information, please contact the software publisher.

Madster

Note: The Windows version of Madster will continue running in the background even when all windows have been closed. To fully exit Madster, right click the Madster icon in the task tray and select Exit.

Windows

1. Inside the Madster control panel, click Settings.
2. Click the Transfers tab.
3. In the box next to Max Madster Uploads, type 0.
4. Click OK.
5. Exit the program entirely by right-clicking on the system tray icon and selecting Exit.
6. Restart Madster and verify sharing is disabled.

Macintosh

1. Click the Shared Folders tab
2. You should not see any folders listed in the Folder Path area. If any are listed, select them and click Remove.
3. Exit the program.
4. Restart Madster and verify sharing is disabled Audiogalaxy Satellite

Audiogalaxy Satellite will not allow you to disable file sharing. It requires that the user specify shared folders. This means that all files that you download will immediately become available to others. There is no way to disable the server functionality and therefore use of this program will place the user in violation of the Cox acceptable use policy.

Bearshare

1. Click the Uploads tab.
2. Remove the check from the Share Files checkbox in the lower left corner of the Bearshare window.
3. Exit the program.
4. Restart Bearshare and verify sharing is disabled.

Gnutella

1. On the main screen, type 0 in the box next to Maximum number of uploads.
2. Click Setup to open the configuration window.
3. Click the Shared Files tab.
4. Make sure there are no directory names listed in the shared files area. If directories are listed, select each one and click Remove.
5. On the same screen, in the area labeled Extensions, clear the checkbox next to Share all types of files.
6. The extensions list should be empty. If it is not, click each extension type and click Remove.
7. Click Apply.
8. Click OK.
9. Exit the program.
10. Restart Gnutella and verify sharing is disabled.

Gnucleus

1. Select Edit > Preferences. This will open the properties window.
2. Click Share.
3. You should see no directory names listed in the shared directories area. If directories are listed, select each one and click Remove.
4. Click OK.
5. Exit the program entirely by right-clicking on the system tray icon and selecting Exit.
6. Restart Gnucleus and verify sharing is disabled.

Grokster

Note: Grokster will continue running in the background even when all windows have been closed. To fully exit Grokster, right click the Grokster icon in the task tray and select Exit.

1. Click Tools > Options.
2. Click the Traffic tab.
3. In the Bandwidth area, type 0 in the box next to You can define the maximum number of simultaneous uploads here.
4. Check the box next to Disable sharing of files with other Grokster members.
5. Click Apply.
6. Click OK.
7. Exit the program entirely.
8. Restart Grokster and verify sharing is disabled.

iMesh

Note: iMesh will continue running in the background even when all windows have been closed. To fully exit iMesh, right click the iMesh icon in the task tray and select Exit.

1. Select Preferences > Options.
2. In the Category box, select Share.
3. Clear the box next to Allow other users to view all my shared files.
4. Click OK.
5. From the main iMesh window, click the Media Manager tab. The area to the left of the screen contains a directory tree with gray boxes. A gray box indicates that there is a shared subfolder. Click the plus signs to expand the tree until you locate all shared folders (denoted with a check in the box).
6. Remove the check from all shared folders. There should no longer be any gray boxes.
7. Exit the program entirely.
8. Restart iMesh and verify sharing is disabled.

KaZaA

Note: KaZaA will continue running in the background even when all windows have been closed. To fully exit KaZaA, right click the KaZaA icon in the task tray and select Exit.

1. Select Tools > Options.
2. Click the Traffic tab.
3. In the box that says You can define the maximum number of simultaneous uploads here, type 0.
4. Check the box that says Disable sharing of files with other KaZaA members.
5. Click the Advanced tab.
6. Check the box next to Do not function as a Supernode.
7. Click Apply.
8. Click OK.
9. Exit the program entirely.
10. Restart KaZaA and verify sharing is disabled.

LimeWire

Note: When exiting LimeWire, a dialog box will appear that allows you to either send the program to the task tray or exit and abort file transfers. If you choose "Yes, put LimeWire in the system tray," the program will still be active and sharing files if you have not disabled shared directories.

1. Select Tools > Options.
2. Click Sharing.
3. The window to the right called Shared Directories must be empty. Highlight any shared directories and click Remove until the box is empty.
4. In the Shared Extensions area, clear the box so that it too is empty.
5. Click Uploads.
6. In the box next to Max Upload Slots, type 0.
7. Move the slider bar for Upload Bandwidth to 0% (to the left).
8. Click Apply.
9. Click OK.
10. Exit the program entirely.
11. Restart LimeWire and verify sharing is disabled.

Mactella

Note: You must disable the Enable Sharing checkbox each time you start the software as this setting is not saved.

1. Remove the check from the box labeled Enable Sharing.
2. Select Edit > Preferences > Connection. This will open the Connection Preferences window.
3. In the Bandwidth Use area, move the Uploads slider all the way to the left.
4. Click More Settings to expand the screen to include all options.
5. Under Push Packets, choose Routed.
6. Click OK to close the connection preferences window.
7. Select Edit > Preferences > Transfer. This will open the Transfer Preferences window.
8. Check the Queue Downloads box.
9. Click OK.
10. Exit the program entirely.

SwapNut

Note: SwapNut will continue running in the background even when all windows have been closed. To fully exit SwapNut, right click the SwapNut icon in the task tray and select Exit.

* Choose Tools > Options. This will open the Options window.
* Click Sharing.
* In the File Sharing area. clear all entries from the Extensions box.
* Click the Shared tab.
* There should be no shared directories listed. If there are shared directories, choose each directory and click Remove.
* Click Apply.
* Click OK.
* Exit the program entirely.
* Restart SwapNut and verify sharing is disabled.

WinMX

1. Click Shared Files.
2. You should see no directories displayed in the File Path area. If directories are listed, select each and click Remove Path.
3. From the main window, click Settings and select Share Settings.
4. Clear all entries from the File types to share box .
5. Click OK.
6. Exit the program entirely.
7. Restart WinMX and verify sharing is disabled.

All steps complete.

Applies to

* Cox High Speed Internet online safety.
* Information: Cox High Speed Internet Bandwidth Usage Policy FAQ Support.cox.net.
* Online safety, protecting your computer and our network.
* More about spyware,adware,trojan horses,parasites and other viruses.
* More about how to protect yourself against viruses.

++++= also.. on port blocking by cox cable +++++++++

Home >> Online Safety >> Abuse Information

Information: Ports blocked or restricted by Cox High Speed Internet

Summary

The following information describes why certain ports are blocked or restricted by Cox High Speed Internet.

Content

Reasons For Filtering Ports

* Protecting our customers - Certain ports are filtered to protect our customers. We can protect against certain common worms and from dangerous services on our customers' computers that could allow intruders access.
* Protecting our upstream bandwidth - Upstream bandwidth to a cable plant is limited. If customers overuse their upstream bandwidth by running high-traffic servers or becoming infected with a worm or virus, it can degrade the service of other customers on that node.
* Protecting the rest of the Internet - Some filters prevent our customers from attacking other computers on the Internet. In addition to being in our best interests for protecting our bandwidth, it is our responsibility to prevent abuse of our network.

Port Transport Protocol Direction Reason for Filtering
25 TCP SMTP Both* SMTP Relays
80 TCP HTTP Inbound Web servers, worms
135 UDP NetBios Both Net Send Spam/Pop-ups, Worms
136-139 UDP, TCP NetBios Both Worms, Network Neighborhood
445 TCP MS-DS/ NetBios Both Worms, Network Neighhood
1433 TCP MS-SQL Inbound Worms, Trojans
1434 UDP MS-SQL Inbound Worms, SQLslammer
1900 UDP MS-DS/ NetBios Both Worms, Network Neighborhood
27374 TCP Subseven Both SubSeven Trojan

*SMTP is only permitted outbound to Cox-provided SMTP servers

Detailed Explanations Of Filtered Ports

25/TCP - SMTP

Mail servers use Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP) to exchange email. We block this to protect upstream bandwidth and prevent customers from running open relays could potentially be used by others to send spam via our network.
80/TCP - HTTP

Web browsers use Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP) to communicate with web servers. In addition to protecting bandwidth by preventing customers from running high-traffic web servers, we can stop many destructive worms that spread through security holes in web server software.
135,137/UDP, 135,139/TCP, 445 MS-DC ï¿½ NetBIOS

NetBIOS (also known as Server Message Block, LanManager, and Common Internet File System) is a networked file sharing protocol. The Microsoft Windows ï¿½Network Neighborhoodï¿½ runs over NetBIOS. We filter these ports to protect customers from exposing files on their computers, and to block worms which spread through open file shares. The latest addition to this series, a consolidated service port (TCP445), has also opened new similar security risks in Win2K and WinXP.
1433/TCP, 1434/UDP ï¿½
MS-SQL

Microsoft SQL Server is a database application with a long history of security exploits, and is noted for the propagation of the SQLslammer worm. These ports are filtered to prevent exploitation and propagation of such MS-SQL exploits.
1900/UDP - UPnP

discovery/SSDP is a service that runs by default on WinXP. It creates an immediately exploitable security vulnerability for any network. Filtering this port proactively prevents XP systems from being remotely compromised by malicious worms or intruders.
27374/TCP - SubSeven

SubSeven is a common "Trojan Horse" virus. When installed on a victim's computer, it allows an attacker to remote control it over the Internet. SubSeven can be configured to run on any port, but blocking port 27374 provides some protection and prevents our customers from attacking others on the default port.

Applies to

* Cox High Speed Internet online safety.
* Information: Ports blocked or restricted by Cox High Speed Internet.
* Online safety, protecting your computer and our network.
* More about spyware,adware,trojan horses,parasites and other viruses.
* More about how to protect yourself against viruses.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
tje * star'd items are links that did not com thru..

so. .If you 've read this far you must be a cox cable user..
let me preface this .. with .. I AM NOT A TECHIE..

but you may want to decrease the up load bandwidth. i think mine was set to 100% of the unused portion was aloted to Lime wire.. and I reduced it to 20 or so.. and unchecked "partial file" sharing. .i think we all should do this to minimize the # of incomplete files that we download..<jmho> and have awaiting more sources..

this amongst other tweeks . while reading the manual for the 2nd time..
< and still havent got the firewall off... still working on that. >

bbsnooks..