COMPUTER CODE OF ETHICS

You, as a user of computer science computing facilities, are responsible for adhering to accepted standards of ethical behavior. Any unethical use of resources (information, software, hardware), either local to the department or externally accessible via computer networks, will be treated like any other ethical violation as outlined in the Student Information Handbook and in applicable faculty and staff handbooks.

Computer information (stored or in transit) should be treated with the same respect, integrity, and confidentiality as the written or spoken word. Viewing and using information (programs, files or other data) without authorized permission is an invasion of privacy. Such behavior, if used for academic gain, is considered plagiarism. Modifying information and preventing or delaying access to resources are considered acts of destruction. Ethical standards apply even when information is left unprotected. The following statements are general guidelines for ethical use of the computing resources.

All users of departmental computers must have an authorized account. Faculty, staff and computer science majors are provided with continuing accounts. Each non-major is provided with an account for the duration of the enrollment in specific computer science classes. Other accounts must be requested by an individual or sponsoring professor and must be authorized by a designated department administrator. Unless otherwise specified, each account becomes the sole responsibility of its owner and is to be used solely for authorized purposes. For example, student accounts are intended to be used for class assignments and other departmental-oriented activities that are consistent with obtaining an education in computer science. Use of an account by individuals other than the owner or use of an account on the behalf of other individuals is prohibited.

Users are expected to take reasonable precautions to guard against unauthorized use of their accounts or access to confidential information through careful selection of passwords and protection of files. (See Guidelines to Password Selection and Maintenance for guidelines on password selection and maintenance.)

Users must not browse, access, copy or change private or public files for which they clearly have no authorization. Also disallowed is the modification of the computer system, damage or alteration of software, and the copying of software specifically licensed for use by the department or university.

Because computing resources are limited, they should be used efficiently in order to minimize any adverse impact on others, e.g. game playing should not be excessive and must be avoided entirely whenever it negatively impacts the accessibility of the computing resources. Compute-intensive processes that are expected to execute for an extended period should be run at low priority. The use of invasive software, such as ``worms'' and ``viruses'' destructive to computer systems is illegal. Misuse, waste and/or the disruption of the intended use of resources is prohibited (e.g., the flooding of other users with excessive and/or unwanted information).

The installation and use of any program on departmental computers that provides a service to others on the network, or prolonged connections to (or extensive use of) external network services (e.g., http daemons, connection-maintaining daemons, IRC bots or those that appear to act in this manner) via departmental computers must be pre-authorized by the department.

Sending rude, obscene or harassing materials via any electronic means (e.g., electronic mail, bulletin boards, news groups) is forbidden. Also disallowed are random mailings, chain letters and general mailing of messages of commercial, religious, or political nature. Messages of philanthropic content are allowed only if sanctioned by the university.

Displaying material of a sexually explicit or suggestive nature can be considered intimidating, demeaning, hostile or offensive to others and is in violation of the Iowa State University Sexual Harassment Policy.

Hardware, software, manuals, supplies, etc. must not be removed from computing sites.

Abuse or misuse of resources will be regarded as illegal and/or unethical behavior. Any observed or suspected violations are to be reported to the instructor or appropriate department administrator.

Computer Science Department facilities are the property of Iowa State University and the State of Iowa and as such, their use is governed by departmental and university regulations and by state laws. Violators may be billed for illegal use and may be prosecuted under Chapter 716A, Computer Crime of the Iowa Code.

Adapted from the Iowa State University Computer Code of Ethics,
the NSF Code of Ethics, the Internet Code of Ethics, and the
Iowa State Sexual Harassment Policy, September, 1995.