Boston University Information Technology ethics
Conditions of Use and Policy on Computing Ethics September 1, 1988
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CONDITIONS OF USE
To protect the integrity of the computer system against unauthorized or
improper use, and to protect authorized users from the effects of unau-
thorized or improper usage of the system, Boston University reserves the
rights to: limit or restrict any account holder's usage, inspect, copy,
remove or otherwise alter any data, file, or system resources which may
undermine the authorized use of that system with or without notice to
the user. The University also reserves the right to periodically check
the system and any other rights necessary to protect the University com-
puter facilities.
The University disclaims responsibility for loss of data or interference
with files resulting from its efforts to maintain the privacy and secur-
ity of the University's computer facilities.
Users of the University's facilities are required to comply with the
University Policy on Computing Ethics, and by using the system, the user
agrees to comply with and be subject to the Policy on Computing Ethics
and these Conditions of Use.
The University reserves the right to amend this statement at any time
with or without notice.
POLICY ON COMPUTING ETHICS
Thousands of users share the computing facilities at Boston University.
Most people use these resources responsibly. However, a few users who
misuse the computing facilities have the potential for seriously dis-
rupting the work of other users.
You are expected to exercise responsible, ethical behavior when using
the University's computing facilities. This includes the following:
1. You must use only those computer accounts which have been author-
ized for your use by the University. The unauthorized use of
another's account, as well as the providing of false or misleading
information for the purpose of obtaining access to computing
facilities is prohibited and may be regarded as a criminal act and
will be treated accordingly by the University.
2. You may not authorize anyone to use your account(s) for any rea-
son. You are responsible for all usage on your accounts. You
must take all reasonable precautions, including password mainte-
nance and file protection measures, to prevent use of your
accounts by unauthorized persons.
3. You must use your accounts only for the purposes for which they
were authorized. For example, non-funded research or student
accounts may not be used for funded research or private consulting
without prior approval from the University. You must not use your
accounts for unlawful purposes, such as the installation of fraud-
ulently or illegally obtained software.
4. You must not access or copy files (including programs, members of
subroutine libraries, and data) that belong to another account
without prior authorization from the account holder. Files may
not be taken to other computer sites without permission from the
holder of the account under which the files reside.
5. You must not use the system irresponsibly, or needlessly affect
the work of others. This includes transmitting or making accessi-
ble offensive, annoying or harassing material; intentionally dam-
aging the system; intentionally damaging information not belonging
to you; or intentionally misusing system resources or allowing
misuse of system resources by others.
6. You are responsible for reporting to Information Technology any
violation of these guidelines by another individual. You are also
encouraged to report any information relating to a flaw in, or
bypass of, computer facilities security.
Failure to comply with the above guidelines, or the unauthorized or
illegitimate use of Boston University's computing facilities or resourc-
es, shall constitute a violation of University policy and will subject
the violator to disciplinary or legal action by the University. In
addition, the University may require restitution for any use of service
which is in violation of these guidelines.
Any questions about this policy or of the applicability of this policy
to a particular situation should be referred to Information Technology.
