By registering your computer on the USC Network, you signified that you have read and will abide by the terms of all conditions set forth in this document and all pertinent University of South Carolina policies.

The University of South Carolina strives to provide a computing environment that supports the goals and the mission of the University. Members of the Carolina Computing Community are expected to uphold the Carolinian Creed and comply with all local, state, and federal laws as well as University policies and rules in their use of University networks and computer systems associated with USC. This documents summarizes the main points of acceptable use found throughout University policies, but users are also expected to familiarize themselves with the full text of USC policies. Policies are subject to change as needed and are subject to annual review, and as such, this document may change to reflect any change in policy.

1. Individual departments and colleges may further define rules governing acceptable use of their resources.
   
   For example, an academic department may have rules allowing or disallowing recreational web browsing in their student labs. Or a supervisor may decide that their employees may not use instant messaging applications while at work.
   
    
2. All use is subject to monitoring by authorized University personnel for the purpose of network/system management or security, with reasonable efforts made to maintain user privacy. Interception of traffic for unauthorized purposes is prohibited. Any information collected through official monitoring efforts may be used to futher investigate suspected incidents.
   
    
3. Copyright, obscenity, libel, and other laws governing communication and publication apply to electronic media as well. Users are personally responsible and liable for such infringing activities.
   
   For example, you may not pirate software (use software in violation of pertinent software licensing agreements) or distribute pirated software with University resources. Downloading illegal copies of music, video, or text is prohibited and the owner may sue you for infringement.
   
    
4. You may only access files, data, and resources to which you are legitimately entitled.
   
   You may not attempt to gain access to systems, accounts, passwords, or data that you have not been authorized to access. For example, you may not "sniff" the network to gain information such as logins and passwords of other people. You may not distribute "backdoor" programs to gain access to another person's machine or files.
   
    
5. Users are responsible for all activities originating from their accounts or personal systems. No unauthorized sharing or selling of personal access to University resources is allowed. Protect all user ids, passwords, and systems from unauthorized use.
   
   This includes the requirement that you use up-to-date antivirus software on all systems for which it is available. You must keep the antivirus definition files current as well. USC provides antivirus software for faculty, staff, and students for use at home and at work FREE of charge. Call the University Technology Services Help Desk at 777-1800 for details. This rule also means that you must apply all current, pertinent security patches to the software and the operating system running on your machine. Link to Windows Patching How To Document: http://security.sc.edu/library/WindowsUpdate.html
   
   If malicious activity originates from your computer or account as a result of compromised, unpatched software or a preventable virus infection, YOU will be held responsible. If you share your account, even with a fellow authorized user, YOU will still be held responsible for activities originating from your account, and you both will be guilty of sharing accounts.
   
    
6. Any activity which negatively impacts the operation of the network or systems is prohibited. You may not monopolize or overload resources.
   
   Excessive use is use which prevents other people or systems from being able to work. For example, excessive printing or excessive use of network bandwidth while playing network games is prohibited.
   
    
7. You may not use electronic resources to harass, intimidate, or annoy people. This includes transmission of violent, threatening, defaming, obscene, or otherwise illegal or harmful material.
   
   Electronic chain letters are not allowed, nor is spam. If you receive a piece of e-mail that says to send it on to all of your friends, even if it seems to be a warning about a virus, it is generally a hoax and should not be forwarded.
   
    
8. You may not use electronic resources for commercial use or personal gain.
   
   For example, students may not run a business from a web server in a residence hall, or even register a domain name(DNS) to a network address in the University address space. (DNS guidelines for faculty and staff are at http://uts.sc.edu/ComputerSystems/DNS.shtml)
   
    
9. All attempts to subvert system or network security measures are strictly prohibited.
   
   All machines on this NetReg System (Ex. dorm, administrative, or wireless networks) will be dynamically assigned an IP address. Configuring your system to use a different address without explicit authorization is not allowed. Running routing or network services(DNS, DHCP, FTP, Mail servers, wireless access points, etc.) from the dorms, wireless, and some administrative networks is not allowed.
   
    
10. If you suspect your account has been compromised, or feel you have been violated by others, keep copies of all relevant documents, unplug your computer network connection from the wall jack (where applicable), and contact University Technology Services (security@sc.edu or call 777-1800) as quickly as possible. You are responsible for reporting all violations. Computer Services will work with appropriate University officials to resolve any reported violations.
    
    Violations can result in immediate removal from the network, loss of computing privileges, initiation of legal action by the University, and/or appropriate disciplinary action.