Stop illegal downloads (copyright content) on Google WiFi

[dejay11]

Hello All.  I donated a Google Wifi system to a local veterans home apartment complex and found out that a resident user was downloading movies and music using some sort of file sharing P2P application.  The manager is contemplating the removal of the Google WiFi that 4 apartment dwellers are sharing.  Is there anyone that could recommend a way to end the file sharing of illegal content by the user who won't acknowledge he is doing the downloads?  Other than pausing several unnamed devices that are using the WiFi, the ISP has sent the apartment manager warnings of revoking the account.  I would rather help them continue to use for internet and streaming, but one bad apple seems to see it differently.  

The manager seems to think there is a way to stop file sharing using almost any other WiFi router and seems to be intent on removing the wifi if we cannot figure out a way to control the abuser.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[David_K]

Most commercially available standard consumer routers don't have features or settings to prevent this. In fact, it's notoriously difficult to block this without 1) negatively impacting other users and their access and 2) it is very much a cat and mouse game. No matter what blocking is implemented, there will always be workarounds, such as alternative websites that are not blocked, using a proxy, changing DNS or using a VPN to name common examples.

This is not a problem unique to Google Nest. I'm not saying there are not solutions out there but they are only effective if it's designed to disrupt or deter in the view they will give up. It certainly won't stop a determined individual.

You can take a look at OpenDNS as an example solution.

[dejay11]

Thank you David.  I appreciate the response.  It's very logical and makes sense.  It's a little outside of my comfort zone, but I don't want the other apartment renters to suffer because of one guy.  It's not really fair, but they may eventually lose that free access due one person that thinks he has to bank a lot of pirated content. 

I was watching the downloads yesterday and one HP Desktop device was steady pulling ############ Mbps for hours and his daily total download was 15 GB.  I was very tempted to "pause" his WiFi for a few hours.  Hoping he would think it was his PC...LOL.  Yet, it may have also been bandwidth just watching stuff from a PC rather than a TV or streaming device (Roku, Firestick, etc.).  I don't assume to know for sure.  But I worry about the others there.

I will look over that OpenDNS you suggested, I'll probably share that the Manager there as well.  Thank you again and please stay safe.

[iLexxen99]

I don't understand! Am I supposed to just sit back and allow this thief to c0htinue raiding my data?

[Jeff]

Hi, iLexxen99.

Is your issue the same as the original poster's issue where people are using download sites on your network that you don't want them to use? Site blocking is generally a feature found on network management software and not so much built into the WiFi hardware. I would suggest looking up a software that could run on your network that would be able to block traffic to specific sites. You won't be able to handle those settings with the Google nor Nest WiFi settings.

Thanks.

[Jeff]

Hi, iLexxen99.
I just wanted to check in real fast to see if you saw my reply and to find out if you still needed any help on this. If you're still needing assistance, please just let me know and I'll be happy to continue helping.
Thanks.

[iLexxen99]

Hi, it's me! And yes I need your help. Update: I was using my HP laptop the other night MS Edge and I noticed the download arrow flashing. Turns out it was a pornographic movie. But it was using an account I can no longer sign in into. And now apparently I have a Linux account signing in to. Whom ever it is also has control of my Router/ Modem. ( My fifth in 12 month ) And my ISP is simply burying their heads in the sand. How do I stop this nightmare? 

[Jeff]

Hi, iLexxen99.

If someone has access to your network, the best way to terminate that is to change your WiFi network's password. If the issues is on a higher level, such as with your Google account, changing your password there would lock anyone else from accessing your settings on the account level. It would also be a good idea to run a virus scan on your laptop to ensure that access isn't coming onto your network from a hacking attempt through PC software. Right now, securing your accounts through password changes should be the first step.

Thanks.

[Jeff]

Hi, iLexxen99.

I wanted to follow up to see if you had any success getting your network locked down. If you're still seeing issues after updating all your login info, let me know and we can look at other causes.

Thanks.

[Jeff]

Hey, everyone.
It looks like we've slowed down here again. We'll be closing up the thread unless anyone else has any input or needs anything else. If so, just let me know and we can keep this open a bit longer.
Thanks.

[Jeff]

Hi, everyone.
As we haven't had any activity here recently I'm going to go ahead and close the thread. If you have more to add, feel free to start a new discussion.
Thanks