Information Services Student IT

Use of Computers at the University

Dear Student,

Please make sure you read and understand the following 6 points as they contain important information about the University's computing and networks policy.

The University provides all students with access to computers and the network, and with an email account as a communication channel between staff, students and peers.

In order to protect the functionality and integrity of the facilities, please use them responsibly and within the following guidelines to avoid the risk of severe penalties.

  1. Disclosure of personal information
  2. Spam
  3. Computer Viruses
  4. Copyright
  5. Consequences of misuse
  6. Other useful information

 

1. Disclosure of Personal Information

Never release personal information, such as passwords, your address, phone number, date of birth, or credit card or banking details, to anyone over email. The University will never solicit personal information from you via email as part of its ordinary day-to-day activities.

Please be wary of email scams, especially so-called "phishing" - deceptive emails which may pretend to be from your bank or the University. The intent of phishing emails is to trick you into providing the phisher with personal information so that they can assume your identity - typically in order to use your bank account, or your University email account.

Be wary of unsolicited emails, especially those purporting to be from the University, banks and other financial institutions.

Do not provide any sensitive information, follow any links, download or execute attachments in unsolicited emails. Please report any such emails via the webform at the IT Security website, or call the Information Services Service Desk (8344 0888).

Within the University, the Service Desk in Information Services is in charge of sending emails about computing alerts and announcements. Service announcements are available here.

 

2. Spam

The University's student email service has a spam filtering system. Full details on how to use it can be found here.

Generally it is not possible to take action against spammers unless the spam falls within the provisions of the Spam Act 2003. The University does act against people who send spam from within the University.

 

3. Computer Viruses

Use of anti-virus software is highly recommended. For computers connecting to the internet, the Virus Definition files (DATs) should be updated daily. The software is available here.

That site provides information about how to install, configure and use the software.

 

4. Copyright

The University forbids use of its computing and communications facilities for any purpose which is a breach of copyright (for example, by running peer-to-peer music sharing software). Any allegation will be investigated by the University, and, if you were responsible for copyright infringement, you would face the possibility of civil or criminal court proceedings as well as University discipline.

More information about copyright and your rights and obligations is available from the University's Copyright website.

 

5. Consequences of Misuse

Misuse of IT facilities is treated seriously by the University.

Disciplinary action is taken under Regulation 8.1R7 - Computing and Network Facilities Rules or Statute 13.1 - Student Discipline.

An example of misuse is inappropriate use of student mailing lists, such as advertsing to buy or sell textbooks. This usually results in suspension from certain IT facilities for a period of time - typically two weeks for a first offence. The services suspended are email and Windows logins. The loss of Windows logins will deny you access to full-function library PCs and laboratory computers on campus. For this offence, online teaching and learning resources remain available to you from off campus computers and on campus computers that don't require you to use a Windows login.

 

6. Other Useful Information

 

Please report any suspected breaches of these guidelines to it-abuse@unimelb.edu.au.

 

Regards,

Linda O'Brien,
Vice-Principal (Information)

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