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ESSC computer accounts provide access to electronic mail, various network facilities (Netnews, World Wide Web, remote logins, FTP), and a substantial collection of software. It is University policy that all persons use their accounts in a legal, responsible, and ethical manner that complies with all applicable University, College, and ESSC Computer Facility policies. Two motivations for these policies are the protection of privacy of information and the protection of computer systems against unauthorized access. It is a fact of modern-day life that some reasonable level of computer security is necessary to prevent malicious use of computer systems. This document highlights a few important issues pertaining to the responsiblities of our users in regard to computer security and lists the applicable University policy documents.
ESSC computer systems are intended for the use of AUTHORIZED USERS ONLY. Individuals using our computer systems without authority, or in excess of their authority, are subject to having all of their activities on the computer systems monitored and recorded by system personnel. In the course of monitoring individuals who are improperly using our systems, or in the course of system maintenance, system personnel may also moniter the activities of authorized users. Anyone using ESSC computer systems expressly consents to such monitoring, and is advised that if such monitoring reveals possible criminal activity, system personnel may provide the evidence gathered during the monitoring to law enforcement officials.
The users of ESSC computer accounts can access many software programs, some of which are licensed from software vendors and others which are freeware or shareware. You are responsible for proper use of all software and for compliance with the various commercial licensing agreements that regulate their use. This includes careful review and strict compliance with all restrictions.
Under no circumstances should any software installed on the computer systems be copied to another location on our computers, or to any other computer system. This includes all parts of the operating system and all additional software installed anywhere on the computers, including licensed software, shareware, and freeware.
All passwords for newly activated accounts must be changed when first used. The new user message you receive when you get a new account will have instructions for changing your password; we can assist you in changing it if you need help.
A password is private information. All use of your account is assumed to be done by the person the account was assigned to -- that means you and you alone. No one else should ever be allowed to use your account, including spouses, significant others, and relatives. It is against University policy (see below) and in many cases law, to use another person's account or files, or to share passwords.
We expect all users to pick good passwords which are not guessable with password cracking programs. Good passwords meet the following requirements:
In accordance with University policy, we periodically run a password cracker on our password files to safeguard against guessable passwords. If we do guess your password and ask you to change it, we expect that you will do so within some specified amount of time. If the password is not changed before the time specified, the account will be turned off without further notice.
Our policy requires all users to sign a form indicating that they are aware of the policies governing the use of ESSC computer accounts. New accounts will not be opened until we receive the signed form.
You may download a PDF version of the Sun workstation or Cray account form, print it out, complete it, and return it to:
The Pennsylvania State University EMS Environment Institute 2217 Earth & Engineering Sciences University Park, PA 16802
You must comply with all applicable University policies and State and Federal laws. These include but are not limited to: