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Accessing the University network and the online services is an academic privilege. Intrusive or illegal activities can jeopardize your
academic career.
It’s your responsibility to know the University policies and federal laws that relate to computing and digital media. |
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Virus Protection
Get the latest information on virus protection. Download Norton AntiVirus to your computer or check-out a copy from the front desk of your residence hall or from the Collections Desk on the 2nd floor of Atkins Library. Be sure to bring your Student ID.
What Not to Share
Downloading copyrighted materials, scanning the University network and sending SPAM are just some of the technical pitfalls that can lead to the student judicial process.
- File Sharing
Peer-to-peer file sharing programs such as Limewire and Morpheus can be used to legitimately share files; but trading copyrighted material like music, videos, data files and other information remains their most common activity. UNC Charlotte is bound by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and must take action when a copyright infringement notification is received.
- Sending SPAM
SPAM that originates on a student computer registered on the network taxes University servers and network resources. The University monitors email flow leaving the campus and will determine if computers not registered as email servers are sending e-mail.
- Network Scanning
Network scanning tools like NMAP, Nessus, or XScan are great for legitimate and sanctioned research purposes. However, unsanctioned use of these tools is considered a threat to the security of the network.
Computer Violations
UNC Charlotte Two Strikes Rule
- When the University is alerted of an alleged computer policy violation regarding copyright infringement, scanning, hacking or
SPAMming, the student receives an official warning and is asked to stop the activity.
- If the University is alerted to a second violation, the student will receive a second official warning, the Ethernet connection will
be disabled and the student will be automatically referred to the Dean of Students office for review and sentencing. All
notifications are cumulative.
Note: Campus housing residents should refer to Housing Technology Services documentation for computer violation procedures.
Copyright Infringement
A copyright legally secures the right of the copyright holder of a creative work to control the reproduction of that work, including the right to distribute copies as well as to adapt, perform and display the work publicly.
The University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) has created an online ethics tutorial that helps students understand copyright and plagiarism issues. They also provide an online primer that answers student's questions about copyright infringement.
The U.S. Copyright Office offers information about copyright basics and new and pending copyright legislation.
Sharing Music Files
The Intellectual Property Institute at the University of Richmond School of Law reports that more than one-third (34%) of college students are illegally downloading music from free peer-to-peer file sharing networks. Although free file sharing software is legal, its predominant use remains uploading or downloading copyright protected media - including music, videos, images and software. Are your MP3s legal?
Sharing copyrighted material without the copyright holder's consent is illegal, but there are lots of ways to buy music online legally. Protect your academic status and your future - check out these FAQs about sharing music online.
Watch What Do You Think?, a short documentary on intellectual property and file-sharing, featuring on-the-street interviews with college students and reactions from experts on both sides of the issue.
Windows Media Player: High Medium Low
Facebook & MySpace
Social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace are popular ways to meet friends with similar interests, however, some information shouldn't be shared online. Campus police have cautioned students about posting information like addresses, class schedules and vacation plans, which thieves can use to their advantage.
In addition, it's important to realize that posting information on these sites can make your private information public knowledge. Some employers are performing online searches of job candidates. Posting photos or information that includes drinking or suggestions of illegal activity can live on the Internet indefinitely and you should assume they can be viewed by anyone. At the very least, you should be careful of your privacy settings, but the general rule of thumb remains - if you wouldn't want it printed in a newspaper - don't post it online.
University Network Use
Use of the University's computing and electronic communication resources is conditioned on compliance with the
University's Information Technology (IT) policies (Policy Statements
8,
10,
20,
66,
67, and
102).
Pursuant to those policies, the University will take any steps necessary to safeguard the integrity of the University's
computing and electronic communication resources and to minimize the risks to both those resources and the end users of
those resources. Such safeguarding includes monitoring data traffic to detect anomalous network activity, as well as accessing,
retrieving, reading, and/or disclosing data communications when there is reasonable cause to suspect a violation of applicable University
policy or criminal law, or when monitoring is otherwise required or permitted by law.
Privacy and Identity Theft
Keep your NinerNET account secure and remember to logout! To ensure your privacy, you can
change your NinerNET password as often as you like.
Protect yourself from identity theft! Identity thieves don't
steal your money; they steal your name and reputation. Check out the
US Dept. of Education's tips on how to reduce your risk of
becoming a victim.
University Policies
World Wide Web – Policy #8
Network Security - Policy #10
Electronic Communications - Policy #20
Responsible Computing - Policy #66
Peer-to-Peer File Sharing - Supplement to Policy #66
Proprietary Software - Policy #67
Data and Information - Policy #102
Academic Integrity - Policy #105
Copyrights - Policy #113
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