Unacceptable Use

Examples of Unacceptable Online Behaviour

The following are examples of online behaviour which the University considers unacceptable and if detected may result in the withdrawal of network permissions or the suspension of an IT account.

If you become aware of any breaches to the Acceptable Use Policy, please report the details by going to the IT Support Hub or calling 01-7162700. 

Unacceptable Online Behaviour

• Other than while performing their duties, users must not knowingly access, download or distribute illegal or inappropriate material, including material that is in any way pornographic, obscene, abusive, racist, libellous, defamatory or threatening.
• You must not engage in any form of online bullying, harassment or other online behaviour, which is illegal or intentionally offends Staff, Students, other Users or brings the reputation of the University into disrepute.
• You may not use the University's IT Resources to publish or transmit anything that is libellous or defamatory or is damaging to another computer system.
• You must not deliberately misrepresent your views as those of the University or any other person or organisation.
• You must not perform any activities which contravene the laws of the State, or the destination country in the case of data being transmitted abroad.
• You must not use IT Resources or University owned devices to infringe the copyright, patent or other intellectual property rights of any person including, by downloading or distributing unlicensed software or other unauthorised materials.
• You must not load or execute unlicensed software or other material on the University’s IT Resources or a University owned device where this is likely to breach the licensing conditions or other intellectual property rights.
• You must not undertake commercial activities or to otherwise further commercial objectives which are not a part of your work/studies in the University without approval.
• You must not use IT Resources to Infringe the data protection or other privacy rights of any person.
• You must not knowingly introduce any virus, malware or other destructive program or device into the University’s systems or network.
• You must not use another User’s account unless permission is explicitly granted by the account holder or permission is obtained through the University Account Access policy.
• You must not attempt to gain unauthorised access to any University or third-party accounts, systems or equipment. Attempts at ‘hacking’ may result in criminal prosecution in Ireland or elsewhere.
• You must not attempt to track the network usage of other devices on the network. Wilful attempts at “spying” on other user’s network usage may result in criminal prosecution.
• You must not access, modify, or interfere with computer equipment, material, data, displays, or storage media belonging to the University or another user, except with their permission.
• You must not configure any device that may disrupt the normal operations or performance of the University network or systems.
• You must not connect network equipment, wireless equipment or software which simulates network equipment e.g. bridging, unauthorised wireless networks, etc. without explicit written agreement from IT Services.

Unacceptable Email Behaviour 

The primary purpose of the University’s email system is for correspondence relating to University teaching, learning, research and operational activities. Email is a resource provided by UCD to enhance the performance and productivity of the students, faculty and staff. Users of UCD email must refrain from:

• Using their University email address when creating social, domestic or personal online accounts, when setting up personal smart devices or when registering personal Apps.
• Automatically forwarding University emails to external email accounts.
• Sending unsolicited emails or junk mail to individuals who did not request this material.
• Any form of harassment via email, whether through language, frequency or size of messages.
• Sending or forwarding any email that could be considered to contain defamatory, indecent, obscene, sexist, racist or otherwise inappropriate content.
• Unauthorised use of or forging of email header information.
• Creating or forwarding ‘chain mail’, ’Ponzi’, or other ‘Pyramid’ schemes of any type.
• Opening attachments or clicking on links in suspicious emails.
• Forwarding messages originating in a private capacity without the permission of the sender.
• Users must not send large mass e-mailings, such as all staff or all student emails without the appropriate University authorisation.

Unacceptable Internet Behaviour

The use of the internet is permitted and encouraged to support the goals, objectives and productivity of UCD. The internet is to be used in a manner that is consistent with UCD’s values and comply with all applicable laws, regulations and related policies.
Personal use of the Internet must not detrimentally affect the performance of other employees, disrupt the system and / or harm the University’s reputation.
The following activities are prohibited:

• Accessing Internet resources or material on an unprotected device.
• Downloading any unauthorised software or files.
• Except for agreed educational purposes, users are prohibited from visiting hacking websites for downloading hacking or evidence eliminating software.
• Intentionally visiting or downloading material from internet sites that are likely to contain obscene, racist, hateful or other objectionable materials.
• Intentionally interfering with the normal operation of the systems, including the propagation of computer viruses.
• Causing sustained high-volume network traffic that substantially hinders others in their use of the network.
• Using University IT Resources for personal gain or profit.
• Intentionally representing yourself as somebody else.
• Advertising or otherwise supporting or engaging in illegal activities.