Businesses that provide Internet access for guests and visitors are responsible for any illegal activities of those users, even when the Internet is provided as a free service. The illegal activity that occurs on most Wi-Fi Hotspots is sharing of copyrighted files. It is very easy for copyright owners to identify the IP address of the network where the offending computer is located, this is the IP address registered to the business providing the service.

The owner of the business providing the Wi-Fi Hotspot service may find that the ISP has disconnected the Internet DSL or cable. Worse still, the copyright holder may sue the business owner seeking compensation for losses. The guests and visitors who share copyrighted files illegally do so with Torrent software installed on their computers. Guest Internet gateways can block all Torrent software.

The EU has similar legal requirements for Wi-Fi Hotspot providers. The laws of other countries vary but most require public Internet usage to be logged permitting authorities to track Internet users when necessary.

All Guest Internet Hotspot gateways provide a means to prevent illegal file sharing by blocking Torrent software. Blocking illegal file sharing is an insurance policy: ensuring your Internet service is not disconnected, and that no recording company or studio sues your business for damages.

The Guest Internet gateway firewall has an option to block all types of Torrent software. A user who has a Torrent software installed on his or her computer will see a login page with the message “File sharing software detected: Your computer is not permitted to use this network”. The user can be blocked for a selected period of time, or blocked permanently.