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Students,
faculty and staff of DeKalb Technical College have access to
computing resources and may be issued a user account to access
some of these resources. The proper use of these resources is
the responsibility of the individual who is allowed to use them.
User accounts must not be shared; passwords should be protected.
The privilege of using these computing resources brings with
it the responsibility of exercising high standards of honesty
and considerate behavior. Students are expected to use these
computing resources only for their academic work, to demonstrate
consideration of others, to not provide computing resources
access to unauthorized users, to respect the privacy of others,
and to obey all DeKalb Technical College regulations and relevant
laws. The intent of this policy is to allow maximum freedom
of use consistent with DeKalb Technical College policy, along
with state and federal law-to help ensure a productive learning
and working environment.
Using
a computer without permission is theft of services and is illegal
under state and federal laws. In addition, the following specific
computer crimes are defined by state law (GA Code 16-9-90 et
seq.):
"
Computer Theft (including theft of computer services, intellectual
property such as copyrighted material, and any other property);
" Computer Trespass (unauthorized use of computers to delete
or alter data or interfere with others' usage);
" Computer Invasion of Privacy (unauthorized access to
financial or personal data or the like);
" Computer Forgery (forgery as defined by other laws, but
committed on a computer rather than on paper);
" Computer Password Disclosure (unauthorized disclosure
of a password resulting in damages exceeding $500 - in practice,
this includes any disclosure that requires a system security
audit afterward).
" Misleading Transmittal of Names or Trademarks (falsely
identifying yourself or falsely claiming to speak for a person
or organization by using their name, trademark, logo, or seal
(GA Code 16-9-93.1).
Maximum
penalties for the first four crimes in the list are a $50,000
fine and 15 years of imprisonment, plus civil liability. The
maximum penalties for computer password disclosure are a $5,000
fine and 1 year of imprisonment, plus civil liability.
DeKalb
Technical College's computing resources are provided for authorized
users only. Privacy of our users is respected, but general usage
and system resources are monitored in order to detect unauthorized
access, illegal activities, and proper network performance.
When there is suspicion of illegal or inappropriate activities,
users' files are subject to inspection. Anyone using DeKalb
Technical College's computing resources expressly consents to
this monitoring and is duly advised that any evidence of criminal
activity may be provided to school officials and/or law enforcement
officials.
The
following regulations apply to all users:
1)
Computing resources are intended to be used for academic pursuits
and should not be used for any type of commercial gain or advertising;
2) Use of computing resources is for DeKalb Technical College
students, faculty, and staff in the pursuit of learning, teaching,
or in assisting the administrative operations in support of
these educational endeavors;
3) Deleted files are subject to being restored, using backup
software or other utilities, as necessary to document user abuse;
4) E-mail, along with other computer files, cannot be considered
private, given the open nature of the Internet; computer users
should avoid sending or storing confidential information;
5) Users of computing resources must not attempt unauthorized
access to computer installations outside of DeKalb Technical
College's network;
6) Users agree to abide by all patent, trademark, trade name,
and copyright laws. DeKalb Technical College prohibits the unauthorized
copying or electronic transmission of copyrighted computer software,
computer data, and software manuals. Such unauthorized duplication
or installation is grounds for disciplinary action by DeKalb
Technical College and is subject to criminal prosecution under
the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986. According
to the U.S. Copyright Statutes, illegal reproduction or installation
of software can be subject to civil damages of $50,000 or more,
and criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment.
7) Users must not copy or delete software from any computer
or server;
8) Users must not copy unauthorized software to any computer
or server;
9) Users must not attempt to alter any restrictions associated
with their computer accounts;
10) Computer users must not use computing resources to send
or publish obscene, vulgar, rude, abusive, threatening, or harassing
messages via electronic mail or other means;
11) Computer users must not attempt to access, store, or print
offensive or pornographic material;
12) Computer users must not tamper with any computers, networks,
equipment, software, configuration parameters, files, or documentation;
this includes, but is not limited to, moving of equipment and
connecting devices to computing equipment;
13) Computer users must not intentionally damage, interfere
with, or copy the information of another user;
14) Computer users who maliciously introduce or spread computer
viruses will have their computing resources terminated and are
subject to other disciplinary action;
15) Users must refrain from monopolizing systems, overloading
systems or networks with excessive data, or wasting computer
time, connect time, disk space, printer paper, manuals, or other
resources.
DeKalb
Technical College will suspend or revoke computing privileges
to any individual or group who abuses the provisions listed
above. If deemed appropriate for further action, violators of
the computer resources regulations are subject to additional
disciplinary action by DeKalb Technical College; state and federal
agencies will be notified as necessary.
DeKalb Technical College makes no warranties of any kind, either
express or implied, for the computers, computer systems and
Internet access it provides. DeKalb Technical College shall
not be responsible for any damages users suffer, including but
not limited to loss of data resulting from delays or interruptions
in service. DeKalb Technical College shall not be responsible
for the accuracy, nature or quality of information gathered
through technical college diskettes, hard drives or servers;
nor for the accuracy, nature or quality of information gathered
through technical college-provided Internet access. DeKalb Technical
College shall not be responsible for personal property used
to access Department computers or networks or for Technical
college-provided Internet access. DeKalb Technical College shall
not be responsible for unauthorized financial obligations resulting
from technical college provided access to the Internet.
I
have read and understand the Computing Resources Policy and
related regulations stated above, in allowing me to use the
computing resources of DeKalb Technical College. I agree, by
signing this declaration, that I will abide by these regulations.
I, further, understand that DeKalb Technical College may suspend
or deny my privilege to use these computing resources if my
conduct violates the regulations given above.
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