Network Usage Policy
(Last updated – 12/20/02)
Responsible Network Use: Finger Lakes Community College provides network resources for the purpose of facilitating the academic and administrative work of College employees and students. All users, who are granted access to these resources, are expected to utilize these networks in a manner which respects their operational integrity and efficiently preserves these resources for the benefit of the College’s user community. In addition, usage of these resources must be consistent with local, state and federal laws. Failure to comply with this requirement for responsible network use, and the following specific policy guidelines can result in the loss of network access privileges. In enforcing these and related computer use policies, as well as in complying with the enforcement of federal, state and local laws, Computing Services may monitor, inspect, and retain the contents of transmissions and files.
Specific Policy Guidelines: In addition to the Responsible Network Use guidelines above, network users should observe the following specific policy guidelines:
Efficiency of Network Use: It is the responsibility of the individual network user to utilize network bandwidth efficiently to avoid a negative impact on other users. Network users should avoid: participating in the transmission of “chain letters”; replying to entire distribution lists when a reply to one or a few individuals would suffice, and initiating excessively large file transfers during peak periods of network utilization.
Security: Users must protect their personal accounts and passwords from unauthorized use.
Network Devices: Only authorized Computing Services staff can connect or configure devices that are connected to the college network. These devices include, but are not limited to: personal computers, pocket computers, laptops, hubs, switches, routers, and wireless access points.
Only authorized Computing Services staff may install any form of network services software, including Peer to Peer or other remote networking applications, on a system or server connected to the network..
Use Consistent with the Operational Integrity of the Network: It is a violation of this policy to make any efforts to disrupt the security of the College’s networks or other interconnected network such as the Internet. Examples include attempts to: initiate a denial-of-services attack; spread computer viruses, Trojan horses, worms or any other program designed to violate system or network security, and otherwise interfere with the proper operation of any computer system or destroy others’ data. Also included as a violation of this specific policy guideline is the use of subterfuge to avoid being identified while using the network or any computer systems attached to it.
Intercepting or Scanning of Network Traffic: Except for the purposes noted under Responsible Network Use (above) it is a violation of this policy to attempt to access data being transferred through the network or files on any computer connected to the network without the owner’s permission. This includes situations where the available data may not be adequately protected or secured. Any unauthorized efforts at scanning or intercepting network traffic will be treated as a violation of this provision of the network usage policy.