What is breach of IT rules in university?

• beaujangle
  
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  Mar 13, 2009 12:29 AM GMT

  I have a tricky question. I'm a graduate student and I know that downloading porn using university computer is definitely inappropriate but what about visiting sites like RJ, gay blogs, gay social networking etc. Anyone knows?
  
  Also, what could possibly be the penalties if these are wrong?
  
  We just received a mass e mail warning us about visiting 'inappropriate sites'. By what do they mean exactly?
  
  

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  Mar 13, 2009 2:07 AM GMT

  You should be asking the people that sent that email.
  
  It's really unfair for them to set broad rules like that. You should politely ask specifically what is considered "inappropriate" or at least ask if there will be warnings or immediate disciplinary action.

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  Mar 13, 2009 3:10 AM GMT

  I thought internet access was included in your tuition... I wouldnt never accept any university rule invading my privacy. Im a student at University of Toronto, I can open porn sites every night if i want to.
  
  But trying to answer your question, if they consider dating sites harmful, then realjock might be. But the fact that if its gay or straight is totally unacceptable, no institution should ban a website based on sexual orientation and its your right to claim it.

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• beaujangle
  
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  Mar 13, 2009 4:05 AM GMT

  charlitos saidI thought internet access was included in your tuition... I wouldnt never accept any university rule invading my privacy. Im a student at University of Toronto, I can open porn sites every night if i want to.
  
  But trying to answer your question, if they consider dating sites harmful, then realjock might be. But the fact that if its gay or straight is totally unacceptable, no institution should ban a website based on sexual orientation and its your right to claim it.

  
  
  
  Well, I wish I could say the same but then rules are rules. You're sure there aren't similar rules in your university?
  
  They don't exactly specify gay sites; they just said it is an offence to visit 'inappropriate sites'.....
  
  Gay sites usually have pix of fit men in trunks, etc. So is that inappropriate site?

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  Mar 13, 2009 4:23 AM GMT

  beaujangle said
  
  
  Well, I wish I could say the same but then rules are rules. You're sure there aren't similar rules in your university?
  
  

  
  
  It depends on where you access the internet. If youre in the computer lab or the library obviously yes there are rules, those computers are there for academic purposes. But on residence or on your laptop? That is your own privacy. Even if youre using campus connectivity , youre paying for it and whatever you do with your internet is your own business... unless you try to hack university server.
  
  the reason why i asked you about banning sites based on sexual orientation is because you asked if university would consider:
  
  gay blogs, gay social networking, and gay fitness health(RJ) sites as "inappropriate sites". You didn't ask if blogs, social networking and fitness and health sites in general might be considered inappropriate.
  
  I dont think this website would be categorized as "inappropriate" unless you open someone elses private pics lol

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  Mar 13, 2009 7:43 AM GMT

  Check with your university, but most of the time universities deem as "inappropriate sites" those which allow you to easily violate copyright over the net. Programs such as BitTorrent are heavily discouraged, as the university is functioning as your ISP, and thus may be compelled to turn over identifying information if sued for infringement.
  
  The penalties your university chooses to impose will vary extensively from one university to another. Technically, most universities have clauses about the ability to expel anyone using university resources (including bandwidth) to engage in criminal activity. Some may choose to merely revoke your computer privileges.
  
  Other than that, though, yes, porn sites in libraries and computer labs are a bad idea. If you're visiting a site like RealJock there, don't look at the private or adult pictures. That's just basic courtesy.

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  Mar 13, 2009 7:54 AM GMT

  MSUBioNerd saidCheck with your university, but most of the time universities deem as "inappropriate sites" those which allow you to easily violate copyright over the net. Programs such as BitTorrent are heavily discouraged, as the university is functioning as your ISP, and thus may be compelled to turn over identifying information if sued for infringement.
  
  The penalties your university chooses to impose will vary extensively from one university to another. Technically, most universities have clauses about the ability to expel anyone using university resources (including bandwidth) to engage in criminal activity. Some may choose to merely revoke your computer privileges.
  
  Other than that, though, yes, porn sites in libraries and computer labs are a bad idea. If you're visiting a site like RealJock there, don't look at the private or adult pictures. That's just basic courtesy.

  
  
  very true about copyright issues, you have to be careful with the software you install. UTorrent gets my internet connection banned for 24 hours everytime I use it.

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  Mar 13, 2009 8:46 AM GMT

  beaujangle saidI have a tricky question. I'm a graduate student and I know that downloading porn using university computer is definitely inappropriate but what about visiting sites like RJ, gay blogs, gay social networking etc. Anyone knows?
  
  Also, what could possibly be the penalties if these are wrong?
  
  We just received a mass e mail warning us about visiting 'inappropriate sites'. By what do they mean exactly?
  
  

  
  
  Censorship is in the eyes of the beholder.

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• beaujangle
  
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  Mar 13, 2009 9:27 AM GMT

  Even at the dorm where I live, we have been told not to surf porn! This is because the IT services are provided by the university and it will be an offence to visit porn sites according to the uni IT rules.
  
  This sucks because it means we can't view porn at all in our room!

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