Do you mentally check out when you hear the term “policy?” Would you avoid reading through one at all costs? If so, we have some good news for you. Although it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the Policy on the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources (www.umd.edu/aup), we in OIT have tried to make it as painless as possible for you. In the box to the right, we’ve highlighted some of the most important rules and regulations, all of which are generally enforced under the Code of Student Conduct and Residence Hall Rules. When you get a chance, acquaint yourself with the entire policy, and keep these highlights in mind when it comes to using university-owned computers or computer labs, networks, software, files, and e-mail accounts.

It is crucial that you take these rules seriously – breaking any one of them can and probably will result in some serious ramifications, such as 1) restriction or removal of your access to IT resources (you could be banned from university-owned computer labs and barred from using the campus network); 2) academic dishonesty proceedings through the Student Honor Council; and 3) legal consequences, especially if you are charged with or convicted of copyright infringement. We also encourage you to report any illegal action – such as illegal file sharing and threats against campus IT
security – to Project NEThics. You can report this activity anonymously and won’t be singled out by OIT for doing so.

While these rules and regulations may seem a bit overwhelming at first, please remember that they were designed to protect not only campus computing resources, but also you and your privacy.

We encourage you to use IT resources to show your creativity. We support you in exercising your right to share information with your peers. We don’t limit your freedom of expression. In exchange, all we ask is that you don’t break the rules.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Project NEThics at NEThics@umd.edu or 301.405.8787.

WAM and Glue to Use Directory Password

As of January 16, 2007, users of WAM and Glue have one less password to remember. On that date, these systems began using University Directory authentication. This means that now you will use your Directory password to log into your WAM and Glue accounts and sign on to WAM lab computers just as you do to log into Testudo, fill out electronic timesheets if you're a university employee, and access your Mail@umd e-mail account, if you have one. Other systems that currently use WAM and Glue logins also began using the Directory password at that time. For a full listing of affected systems, please visit www.helpdesk.umd.edu/documents/4/4750.

Tips for Safe, Secure, and Suitable Network Behavior

• Keep your password a secret from everyone, even your best friend and/or significant other. The policy explicitly states that you have to do so, especially because sharing could result in an inadvertent security breach.
  
  
• Resist the temptation to interfere with the delivery of any IT resource, even if it seems like a harmless prank. Such jokes are NEVER harmless, and you could end up in some serious trouble.
  
  
• Follow all posted individual department, lab, and system policies, procedures, and protocols. These rules are in place for a reason.
  
  
• Respect your peers’ privacy by not attempting to access anyone else’s University Directory information, e-mail account, private files, or network communication. You wouldn’t want your own privacy compromised, either.
  
  
• Be smart by not using IT resources for ANY illegal activity, such as obscenity, child pornography, threats, harassment, copyright infringement, university trademark infringement, defamation, theft, identity theft, or unauthorized access.
  
  
• Do not send electronic chain mail, mass mail, or spam mail. These are all considered misuses and are some of the reasons why this policy was created in the first place.
  
  
• Avoid impersonating someone else or misrepresenting yourself in electronic communication.
  
  
• Do not install, copy, distribute, or use digital content (i.e., software, music, text, images, or videos) in violation of copyright and/or software agreements or federal/state law. This includes all illegal peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing and illegal uploading/downloading. Visit www.nethics.umd.edu for details.
  
  
• Steer clear of using university resources for commercial or profit-making purposes.
  
  
• Refuse to facilitate access to university IT resources by unauthorized users. These resources are for members of the university community only.
  
  
• Don’t let anyone – even trusted friends – use the data jack that is specifically assigned to you in your dorm room. At the very least, use your judgment before granting access to your jack or computer. Computing systems will trace any misuse directly back to you, even if you weren’t the perpetrator. Also, keep in mind that if you break the dorm rules and install a wireless router, you will be responsible for any questionable activity conducted by others who connect through it.
  
  
• Refrain from using university resources to libel or defame someone unless you want to risk getting sued and having to pay hefty fines.
  
  
• Do not expose sensitive or confidential information that you don’t have the right to expose. By doing so, you could also compromise the privacy of your own personal information.