Guidelines for for use of SDRG Computing

Your use of SDRG computing and networking resources is governed by:

• UW Social Development Research Group (SDRG) policy
• University of Washington (UW) policy

All University of Washington policies regarding the appropriate use of university resources and responsible personal conduct apply to your use of SDRG computing and networking resources.

Evidence of illegal activities or policy violations will be turned over to the appropriate authorities as soon as possible after detection. Depending upon their nature, violations of law or policy will be met with responses including revocation of access, suspension of accounts, disciplinary actions, and prosecution.

Since SDRG depends on and is a part of the computing and networking infrastructure of the University of Washington one of SDRG's responsibilities to the university community is to help protect and sustain the operation of the University's computing facilities. As such, SDRG may take whatever steps it feels appropriate to remedy or prevent activities that, in SDRG's judgment, endanger the orderly operation not only of SDRG computing systems but also of University of Washington networks or systems, and/or which threaten the UW's network connections to the Internet and/or other institutions or networks.

Appropriate Use Guidelines

Guidelines related to the use of SDRG Computer Accounts are described below.

Your SDRG Computer Account

• You may not share your SDRG Computer Account's username and password with anyone else.
• You may not request or create a SDRG Computer Account for someone else, even if you are their superviser, parent, or friend.

Legal Guidelines

You must use all SDRG resources in strict accordance with University regulations and local, state, and federal laws. These cover such areas as illegal access to computer systems, networks, and files; copyright violations; and harassment issues.

The following are prohibited by law, UW policy and SDRG policy:

• Copying and/or use of software, images, music, or other intellectual property unless you are certain that you have the right to do so.
• Copying of SDRG software for use on non-SDRG machines unless explicitly permitted to do so.
• Transmitting to others inappropriate images, sounds, or messages that might reasonably be considered harassing. Harassment is defined as the creation of an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment.
• Attempting to break into SDRG systems, networks, or user accounts.
• Using SDRG systems or networks as a staging ground for attempts to break into other systems or networks.
• Using SDRG systems or networks to launch attacks that interfere with or disrupt other systems or networks.
• Using SDRG computers or networks for personal gain. For example, to sell access to your account or to perform work for profit in a manner not authorized by SDRG.
• Using SDRG resources for partisan political purposes, such as using the computer lab printer to produce advertising materials for political candidates.

System and Network Integrity Guidelines

You must respect the integrity of SDRG systems and networks, University of Washington systems and networks, and other people's systems and networks. You must not access any SDRG computers or networks nor any computers or networks connected to SDRG without proper authorization. In no case may you disrupt or harm computers, computer software, computer data or information, or networks regardless of whether the computer, software, data, information, or network in question is owned by SDRG.

Consider the impact of your action on others, and respect the interests of other computer users and managers.

The following practices are prohibited:

• Attempting to test security flaws yourself.
• Attempting to disrupt operation of any system or network.
• Altering any data, software, or directories other than your own without proper authorization.
• Probing or connecting to any computers without a legitimate reason to do so.
• Attempting to gain Root or Administrator access on any of the SDRG systems unless you have been given authorization by the system administrator.
• Using SDRG systems or networks as a staging ground to crack other systems or networks.
• Installing invasive software, such as worms or viruses, on any SDRG system over any network.

Network Performance

SDRG systems share a limited amount of computing and network resources. Some types of excessive resource usage by one user will have a negative impact on all other users; therefore, any usage of SDRG systems in a manner which impairs general network performance is prohibited. SDRG reserves the right to terminate or limit such activities.

Examples of prohibited network-intensive programs include:

• Peer-to-peer file sharing
• BitTorrent
• High-bandwidth audio/video streaming

Consequences of Illegal or Unethical Actions

Actions that are illegal or against university policy will be referred to the appropriate officials regardless of whether or not a computer was involved in their commission. SDRG's role is to provide assistance to the authorities, whether they are University officials or law enforcement. Only minor computer and network policy violations will be handled internally by SDRG.

SDRG may monitor user activities and access any files or information in the course of performing normal system and network maintenance or while investigating policy or violations. Anyone using SDRG resources expressly consents to such monitoring and is advised that if such monitoring reveals possible evidence of criminal activity, SDRG will provide the evidence to law enforcement officials.