Policies

Acceptable Use of WinstonNet Systems and Services 

General Principles

Access to computer systems and networks owned or operated by WinstonNet imposes certain responsibilities and obligations and is granted subject to WinstonNet policies, and local, state, and federal laws. Acceptable use always is ethical, reflects honesty, and shows restraint in the consumption of shared resources. It demonstrates respect for intellectual property, ownership of data, system security mechanisms, and individuals' rights to privacy and to freedom from intimidation and harassment.

WinstonNet does not monitor and has no control over materials on the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. WinstonNet cannot control access to materials or protect customers from materials they may find offensive. WinstonNet can and does recommend interesting and useful Internet destinations and resources for customers to explore.

WinstonNet disclaims all warranties, including the warranty of merchantability of fitness for a particular purpose. In the event that the computer, software or internet services is defective or fails, WinstonNet shall not be liable whatsoever for any damage suffered by the user. WinstonNet shall not be liable for any claim or damage relating to the content accessed by the user or for the user’s use of such content. The user agrees to indemnify and hold WinstonNet harmless from and against any claim, expenses, costs (including attorney’s fees), or any liability relating to the acts or omissions of the user. These guidelines should not be construed as a limit on any individual's right under the constitutions of the United States or the State of North Carolina.

WinstonNet is not responsible for loss of personal data. Individuals should take care to regularly backup important personal data to a floppy diskette.

General Guidelines

In making acceptable use of resources you must:

1. Indicate agreement with the Acceptable Use Policy
2. Use resources only for authorized purposes.
3. Protect your userid and system from unauthorized use. You are responsible for all activities on your userid or that originate from your system.
4. Access only information that is your own, that is publicly available, or to which you have been given authorized access.
5. Use only legal versions of copyrighted software in compliance with vendor license requirements.
6. Be considerate in your use of shared resources. Refrain from monopolizing systems, overloading networks with excessive data, degrading services, or wasting computer time, connect time, disk space, printer paper, manuals, or other resources.

In making acceptable use of resources you must NOT:

1. Use another person's system, userid, password, files.
2. Use computer programs to decode passwords or access control information.
3. Attempt to circumvent or subvert system or network security measures.
4. Engage in any activity that might be purposefully harmful to systems or to any information stored thereon, such as creating or propagating viruses, disrupting services, or damaging files or making unauthorized modifications to university data.
5. Use WinstonNet systems for commercial or partisan political purposes, such as using electronic mail to circulate advertising for products or for political candidates.
6. Make or use illegal copies of copyrighted materials or software, store such copies on university systems, or transmit them over WinstonNet networks.
7. Use mail or messaging services to harass or intimidate another person, for example, by broadcasting unsolicited messages, by repeatedly sending unwanted mail, or by using someone else's name or userid.
8. Waste computing resources or network resources, for example, by intentionally placing a program in an endless loop, printing excessive amounts of paper, or by sending chain letters or unsolicited mass mailings (spam).
9. Use the WinstonNet systems or networks for personal gain; for example, by selling access to your userid or to WinstonNet systems or networks, or by performing work for profit with WinstonNet resources in a manner not authorized by the WinstonNet.
10. Engage in any other activity that does not comply with the general principles presented above.  

Individual Account Ownership Policy

WinstonNet offers computer accounts for individual users. An Account Request Form must be completed, signed by a Site Lab Manager or Program Director who will submit the request to the WinstonNet administrator. Minors (under 18 years) must also have a signed Parental Authorization form and an Online Safety Rules form on file with WinstonNet to obtain an account.

An individual user is given a username (also known as login name or userid) and associated password that permits her/him to access a given WinstonNet computer. This username/password pair may be used by a single individual only. Passwords and usernames may not be shared. WinstonNet will disable a user who shares any one of her/his usernames with another person. If a person using a username is not the one who is officially registered with WinstonNet as the owner of that username, then “sharing” has occurred and all usernames associated with the owner of the shared username will be disabled. If a user is disabled due to account sharing an authorized Site Lab Manager or Program Director must send a memo to _______________________ explaining why the sharing occurred and assuring that it will not occur again. WinstonNet officials will then determine if the user should be re-enabled.

Enforcement  

The WinstonNet considers any violation of acceptable use principles or guidelines to be a serious offense and reserves the right to copy and examine any files or information resident on WinstonNet systems allegedly related to unacceptable use, and to protect its network from systems and events that threaten or degrade operations. Violators are subject to disciplinary action that may include loss of service. Offenders also may be prosecuted under laws including (but not limited to) the Communications Act of 1934 (amended), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986, The Computer Virus Eradication Act of 1989, Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property.

WinstonNet Privacy Policy

When you use the Internet, most Web sites automatically receive some anonymous information. This data may include a record of which pages a Web browser (your computer) has visited. WinstonNet servers log this usage data, but the data is NEVER associated with any personal information that would allow us to identify who you are or what pages you visited. The WinstonNet uses "cookies" to make it easier to navigate the WinstonNet site. These small files are stored on your machine as part of your Web browser files. We do not put any personal information or identifiers in these files.

Disclosure

The WinstonNet will not sell, trade, or disclose to third parties any personal information derived from the registration for or use of a WinstonNet service -- including customer names and addresses -- without the consent of the customer (except as required by subpoena, search warrant, or other legal process or in the case of imminent physical harm to the customer or others).

Security

WinstonNet follows the strict policy guidelines to safeguard the privacy of your personal information from unauthorized access or improper use. We are committed to following "best practice" whenever possible to protect your privacy and safeguard your personal information.

Email

The WinstonNet will not read or disclose to third parties private email messages that are transmitted using WinstonNet servers except as required to provide the service or as otherwise authorized by law.

Appropriate Use

The WinstonNet may also use personal information to investigate and help prevent potentially unlawful activity or activity that threatens the network or otherwise violates WinstonNet Acceptable Use policy for that service.

Personal Information

WinstonNet will always provide our customers the opportunity to review personal information maintained by us, and will correct any information which may be inaccurate or outdated.

Customer Concerns

If you have concerns about the WinstonNet online privacy policy you may contact us at ---------------- For comments regarding this Web site, please send a message to --------

Online Safety Rules for Minors

Minors are statistically very susceptible to Internet crime. We ask that you seriously read and adopt the recommendations below to make your use of the Internet as enjoyable and productive as possible.

For Minors: