To Skype or not to Skype

Skype (www.skype.com) is a free Internet telephony product that allows users to make free Internet-based phone calls using peer-to-peer (P2P) networking protocols.

Warning! Skype is not a traditional phone system, and is not intended to be a home phone replacement. Skype cannot be used to call any emergency services—there is no access to emergency 911 service. In an emergency CITES recommends you use a landline phone to call 911.

CITES Security discourages the use of Skype on the University network for two main reasons:

• Skype can use excessive network resources.
• Acceptance of the Skype User Agreement allows Skype to use University network and machine resources for non-University interests while the program is running on a computer connected to the University network. Individual users are not empowered to give such consent.

Improperly configured installations of Skype are particularly taxing on network resources and have been found to degrade the network for an entire building. This is because the software can act as a 'Supernode', defined in the Skype privacy policy as:

"...a computer running Skype Software that has been automatically elevated to act as a hub. Supernodes may assist in helping other users to communicate or use the Skype Software efficiently. This may include the ability for your computer to help anonymously and securely facilitate communications between other users of the Skype software who, due to network and firewall constraints, cannot establish direct connections."

If there are no alternatives to using Skype, it can be used appropriately by exiting the program between calls.

To safely use Skype in compliance with University Policy:

• Only launch the application when you need to use it. If you are expecting an incoming call, coordinate it through other means. (e.g. email, instant messages, etc.)
• Keep your calls to a reasonable length.
• When the call is finished, turn the application OFF. Closing the Skype application window is not enough. On the Windows OS, the background application must be turned off as well.
  1. Look for an icon in your system tray (down by the clock) that looks something like this:
  2. To turn it off, right click on this icon and a menu is displayed:
  3. Choose quit.

Having Skype active only when in use will prevent it from becoming a supernode, routing other phone calls and using excessive network resources. Please note that the Campus security and IT staff may remove computers from the network if found to be abusing Skype.

For more information on network resource policies, please see the campus network Appropriate Use Policy.

Based in part on documentation provided by the University of Minnesota.