TechInfo

Adware is any software application in which advertising banners are displayed while a program is running. Adware is often displayed in pop-up windows, and it is also seen embedded in e-mail messages and documents. Adware poses a security risk and a privacy threat because it often contains spyware. Spyware tracks a user’s personal information and passes it on to third parties. Adware/spyware can adversely affect the system performance; in some cases can cause a total system failure. It may take several hours for technologists to return a machine to proper functionality.

In accordance with campus security practices and commitment to protect user privacy and to maintain machines in optimal working order, measures to prevent adware/spyware on campus-owned computers will be taken according to the following policy.

Faculty and staff should not install programs that may contain adware, and they are responsible for taking measures to detect and eliminate adware/spyware programs from their computers. Installation of such software is a direct violation of SUNY Cortland’s Data Communications Network Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy.

Accordingly faculty and staff should contact the Technology Help Center before downloading or installing any unsupported or unlicensed software. This includes but is not limited to desktop programs such as wallpapers, screensavers, customized e-mail stationery and the hotbar spam blocker software.

Information Resource staff will assist users in evaluating software on desktop computers and removing unauthorized software. Failure to comply with this security/privacy policy may result in termination of system privileges.

Academic Computing

Technology Help Center

SUNY Cortland

Winchell Hall

607.753.2500

helpdesk@cortland.edu

Every SUNY Cortland student, faculty, and staff member is entitled to a personal computer account and is given e-mail privileges. It is each individual’s responsibility to use computing systems ethically and legally. As you exercise e-mail and computing privileges, please keep the following college-wide policies in mind.

SUNY Cortland computing facilities are a resource for members of the campus community, to be utilized for work consistent with the goals of the College.

Computer facilities may not be used to produce services in exchange for personal financial gain. The faculty/staff e-mail distribution list is not to be used for personal messages. (An electronic bulletin board for buying and selling has been set up on the SUNY Cortland Web site.)

Computer accounts and ID’s are only for the identified, authorized user. Usernames must be kept secure by keeping passwords secret and changing them often.

Users may not utilize computing facilities or systems anonymously or by means of an alias and may not send messages and print files which do not show the correct username of the person performing the function/sending the message.

Using computers to harass, abuse, or intimidate another person is prohibited.

Obscene language in electronic mail, messages, process names, file names, file data, and other publicly visible forms is prohibited.

Computer facilities, accounts, and web pages may not be used to send messages, documents, music, or print files containing the works of others unless the copied material falls within the guidelines set forth in the Fair Use of Copyrighted Materials policy of SUNY Cortland or has the permission of the author.

At the discretion of campus authorities any off campus entity that sends unsolicited e-mail to members of the campus community will automatically have their electronic account and/or address blocked for further submissions.

Failure to comply with these and other policies that have been published can result in the revocation of computer privileges and accounts.

Information Resources encourages the campus to use supported software whenever possible. However, software that is not supported by Information Resources may be ordered and installed in compliance with the following guidelines:

• Non-supported software will be ordered only after consultation with a technologist in Information (Refer to Software Compatibility Issues below).
• Departments are responsible for funding for this software.
• Support is limited to initial installation and upgrades. There will be no additional training or assistance from Information Resources.
• Academic Computing Services will order the software, which should be requested on a Software Request Form. PC Services is responsible for installing software for PC’s; Macintosh Services is responsible for installing software on Macintoshes, and Classroom Media Services is responsible for installing on classroom PC’s.
• Academic Computing Services will make arrangements for installation, and will retain the installation media in the ACS office.
• When the order is placed and when the software is installed, individuals will be told that they cannot expect to receive campus technical assistance with the software. It will not be automatically be available on technology classroom computers.
• The Academic Computing Services Secretary will enter a record of the software in the inventory database and send a copy of the completed form to the Associate Provost for Information Resources Secretary to initiate the department charge-back process.

Software Compatibility Issues

While Information Resources staff make every effort to fulfill software installation requests, occasionally a request cannot be approved based on the software’s incompatibility with our systems, the system support it required, or its damaging effects to the computing or networking environment. Below are common issues that cause software to be considered incompatible and therefore ineligible for installation.

• Application is outdated or requires back-level version of another application
• Requires hardware copy protection or uses invasive copy detection methods
• Application is a beta version
• Requires write/delete privileges on servers or local operating systems
• Has a malicious effect on other installed computer software
• Is especially demanding of system resources
• Use violates existing law, such as copyrights
• Violates University policy

Academic Computing

SUNY Cortland

Winchell Hall

607.753.5793