(http://www.dpo.uab.edu/usage-guidelines)
The UAB Data Post Office (DPO) is responsible for securing its computers, systems and the campus network to a reasonable and economically feasible degree against unauthorized access and/or abuse, while making them accessible for authorized and legitimate users. This responsibility includes informing users of expected standards of conduct and the punitive measures for not adhering to them. Any attempt to violate the provisions of these guidelines may result in disciplinary action in the form of temporary revocation of user accounts, regardless of the success or failure of the attempt. Severe or continued violations will be reported to University authorities. Permanent revocation can result from disciplinary actions taken by the appropriate University authorities. UAB takes its responsibilities as a worldwide network citizen very seriously. The following guidelines (adapted from those published by Florida International and Florida Atlantic Universities) have been created to define what is considered to be responsible and ethical behavior. These guidelines apply to all UAB student, faculty, staff, and other authorized users of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Data Post Office facilities, the UAB campus network, and the Internet. The right to use UAB computing and network resources can be revoked if misused or abused, even if unintentionally.
Activities and products must be consistent with the University's policies for behavior and ethics including its "Data Processing Security Policy" and other policies in its "You and UAB Handbook," as well as student and faculty handbooks and federal/state computer crimes statutes. Since it is impossible to anticipate every possible violation, it is incumbent upon the user to weigh his/her actions against the purpose and examples provided in this guideline statement. Guidelines apply to all system and network use including, but not limited to: Electronic mail, USENET News, Gopher and World Wide Web clients and servers.
If you have any questions, please send an e-mail message to userservices@uab.edu.
Computer and network resources are allocated only for activities that support research, education, administrative processes, UAB sponsored community service and other legitimate pursuits. All Data Post Office, UAB campus network, and Internet activities must be consistent with this purpose.
VIOLATIONS (include but are not limited to):
Commercial activities.
Creating, displaying or transmitting threatening, racist, sexist, obscene
or harassing language and/or materials.
Copyright and
licensing violations.
Vandalism and mischief that incapacitates, compromises or
destroys University resources and/or violates federal and/or state laws.
Examples of such
violations.
Commercial advertising or any other "for profit"
activity.
Forgery or attempted forgery of electronic mail or posts to USENET Newsgroups (making something you send appear to come from some address other than your own). The network slang term for this is "spoofing."
Deliberately sending messages to a individual or forum that are unwelcome. This includes continuing to send such messages after being asked by the individual or forum's owner/moderator to stop doing so even though you do not consider the material offensive.
Sending large unsolicited files to persons or groups.
Spamming. A "SPAM" is unsolicited material sent to a large number of individual persons and/or LISTSERV lists, Newsgroups, or other forums even though the material itself may not violate guidelines.
Running a simulated baseball league.
Providing copies of software in violation of the license agreement.
Continued impedance of other users through mass consumption of system or network resources, after receipt of a request to cease such activity.
Posting private personal information without permission such as grades, medical records, or any other information that is protected by the Public Records Law.
Attempts to compromise computer and/or network security measures or providing information/instructions for how to do so.
Unauthorized, deliberate action which damages or disrupts a computing system or network, alters its normal performance, or causes it to malfunction. This includes intentional attempts to "crash" network systems or programs.
Use of systems and/or networks in attempts to gain unauthorized access to other systems on the UAB campus or the Internet.
Sharing your DPO ID with any other person. In the event that you do share your ID with another person, you will be solely responsible for the actions of the other person.
Attempts to guess or decrypt the passwords of other users of DPO or other systems as well as attempts to make copies of password or other such system files.
Attempts to secure a higher level of privilege on DPO/Network or other systems (such as attempts to gain "root" authority).
The willful introduction of computer "viruses" or other disruptive/destructive programs into the UAB campus network or into external networks.