EIU Network Use Policy

All computers attached to EIU’s network must have appropriate software running to ensure a secure environment for all users. Information Technology Services will provide monitoring software to ensure compliance with this policy. The software will assist students in maintaining their computers in the manner prescribed by ITS. 

Software needed to ensure a secure environment includes:

• ITS approved anti-virus software
• The most current security patch software for your operating system(s).
• Monitoring software to ensure that copyrighted files are not freely shared over the internet.
• Other software as periodically deemed appropriate by ITS to ensure a safe and secure Internet and Intranet for all students and faculty.

Bandwidth consumption is monitored to prevent inappropriate use of university resources ( i.e., setting up a public web site from a residence hall room). The use of the university provided internet service is a privilege that may be revoked at any time for inappropriate behavior.

The primary purpose of EIU’s network is to support students' educational goals. In support of these goals, the following activities are prohibited without specific written consent of ITS. Participating in the following activities may result in revocation of university network privileges and possible University judicial action and/or criminal charges.

• Setting up a router, wireless router or a private subnet.
• Setting up any type of information server such as a web, gopher, e-mail, game, etc.
• Propagating e-mail chain letters.
• Forging email.
• Allowing unauthorized persons access to the university network.
• Using EIU’s network for personal financial gain.
• Copying University-owned or licensed information to another computer without prior written approval.
• Unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act prohibits the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials. Unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials is not an acceptable use of the EIU network and will be referred to the Office of Student Standards for disciplinary action and possible termination of network access privileges.
• Modifying or attempting to modify University-owned or licensed information including software and data.
• Attempting to damage or disrupt networking services.
• Using the university network or related resources in the commission of a crime.
• Using traffic intensive applications that may cause problems within the network or diluting the level of service to other users. No print servers, mail servers, FTP servers, etc. are allowed. The network sharing of any computer-related device or materials that may cause excessive network traffic is forbidden.

The user is allowed to share her/his RJ45 Ethernet port with more than one computer/device at the same time via use of a hub/switch. . The user will abide by all policies and statues included in the Federal Computer Crime Laws. Crimes against these laws will result in University judicial action and/or investigation by the University Police Department for criminal offense. The laws include offenses against intellectual property; offenses against computer equipment and supplies; and offenses against computer access. The Federal Computer Crime Laws are available at the following website.

http://www.sans.org/reading-room/whitepapers/legal/federal-computer-crime-laws-1446