Internet Policy

The Internet policy which follows is an extension of the St. George's University (SGU) Computer, Network, and Information Systems Access, Control, Use and Security Policy currently in effect; its purpose is to mitigate the risks inherent in connecting to the Internet.

Internet Policy

Any connection between the SGU network and the Internet presents the opportunity for non-SGU users to attempt to access SGU systems and information. It is therefore extremely important that such a connection is secure, controlled, and monitored. It is also important that SGU users use the Internet only for SGU related activities in fulfillment of SGU's mission. They must not use the Internet for non-university purposes that could adversely affect the responsiveness of critical university systems on the network. Any use not expressly permitted is prohibited. The Information Technology (IT) Office will log and audit Internet use to ensure compliance.

Permitted and Prohibited Use

Permitted E-mail Uses:

Sending and receiving e-mail messages, including any attachments with a file size less than 500K, for university purposes;
Sending and receiving short text messages with no attachments for non-university purposes.

Prohibited Uses:

• Sending and forwarding e-mail chain letters and bulk e-mail;
• Sending or arranging to receive mail attachments greater than 500K;
• Sending or arranging to receive mail attachments for personal reasons;
• Sending sensitive information by e-mail over the Internet;
• Opening files received from the Internet without performing a virus scan.

Internet

Permitted Uses:

• Any user approved for Web access may connect to and view any Web page for well-defined university purposes;
• Any user may print such Web pages.

Prohibited Uses:

• Installation of Web server software on any SGU computer, network or information system without written permission from IT. Connection to Web sites related to sex, illegal drugs, criminal skills, hate speech, on-line gambling, sports, entertainment, on-line merchandising, humor, job search, or illegal activities.

FTP Downloads

Permitted Uses:

• Any user approved to download files from a particular site may do so if such files are scanned for viruses, the IT Office has approved that such software may be installed on the user's workstation, and the purchase of any required software license is also approved.

Prohibited Uses:

• Downloading any file from a non-approved FTP site; permission to download files is granted on a site-by-site basis, and permission will be granted only for trusted, major commercial sites;
• Downloading software without approval to purchase required license;
• Downloading from any site for non-university purposes at any time.

Usenet Newsgroups

Permitted Uses:

• Any user with approved access to Usenet newsgroups may access newsgroups that have been previously requested and approved, if such access is for university purposes

Prohibited Uses:

• Accessing any newsgroup for non-university reasons;
• Submitting messages to newsgroups;
• Accessing newsgroups related to sex, illegal drugs, criminal skills, hate speech, on-line gambling, sports, entertainment, on-line merchandising, humor, job search, or illegal activities.

Policy for use of instant messaging

SGU allows employee use of instant messaging (IM) with the understanding that employees will protect SGU's interests through responsible and acceptable use.

Employees will:

• Use only SGU's internal IM client and service (SameTime Connect) to communicate with fellow employees (if applicable);
• Use IM for work-related communications only;
• Not discuss official SGU business or information through public IM services; employees will restrict these discussions to the in-house IM system;
• Not accept or open IM attachments transmitted through a public IM service;
• Save transcripts of all internal IM project discussions on the network share or QuickPlace associated with the project;
• Be aware that all IM conversations on the company network should not be considered private; SGU reserves the right to monitor IM transmissions.