If you suspect that someone has guessed your password and accessed your account, change your password immediately.  Remember to follow the guidelines for creating a good password.

If you suspect that there is a security breach or flaw in the university system, please notify the ITS HelpDesk at (217) 581-HELP immediately.

Remember, Illinois criminal law prohibits computer tampering and computer fraud.  For more information, see our Computer Use Policy.

Harassment Issues

Do not use university computing facilities to harass anyone.  This includes the use of insulting, obscene or suggestive electronic mail or news, tampering with others' files, and invasive access to others' equipment.  E-mail harassment violates ethical usage of your computer account and may result in university disciplinary action or criminal charges.

Mass Mailings and Junk E-Mail

Never send uninvited e-mail to large numbers of strangers (known as 'spam').  In particular, do not send commercial advertisements, surveys, chain mail, or questionnaires to anyone who has not given you their permission to do so.  Junk e-mail wastes both system resources and the time of those who receive it, and recipients may contact your system administrator with complaints.

Fraud and Misrepresentation

Dishonest users sometimes attempt to forge e-mail messages to gain personal information such as account passwords or even credit card information.  Do not ever divulge such personal data in a reply, even if the sender looks "official."  Also, never send any form of electronic communication that bears a fraudulent origin or identification.  This includes the forging of another's identity on electronic mail, news postings or Web pages.