Prohibited Use

Prohibited activities on CCCS computers and telecommunications systems include but are not limited to:

1. Fraudulent, harassing, threatening or libelous messages and inclusion of personal or sensitive information about individuals without their consent
2. Obscene, profane, abusive, defamatory, derogatory, threatening, or sexually explicit language or graphic representation
3. Statements or graphic representations that may be construed as discriminatory or offensive by reference to race, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or other legally protected criteria
4. Commercial activities and other activities conducted for personal gain
5. Religious causes
6. Solicitations not approved by the System
7. Political fund-raising or lobbying
8. Violating any federal, state, or local law/regulation, or System policy/procedure.
9. Deliberately wasting computing resources.
10. Posting or viewing on College computers, materials that violate existing laws or the College’s codes of conduct (MCC strictly prohibits viewing, solicitation, or printing of pornographic literature on College equipment).
11. Sending, receiving, displaying, printing, otherwise disseminating, or storing material that is fraudulent, harassing, illegal, abusive, indecent, embarrassing, profane, sexually explicit, obscene, intimidating, or defamatory; Exceptions may be made for legitimate instructional purposes
12. Transmitting to others, in any location, images, sounds or messages that might reasonably be considered harassing
13. Screen displays of images, sounds or messages that could create an atmosphere of discomfort or harassment for others, especially those considered obscene or sexually explicit
14. Attempting to forge electronic mail messages or using someone else’s electronic mail
15. Accessing personal interest sites, viewing chat rooms (except chat rooms integrated within the course management system), or using recreational games for other than occasional use
16. Using CCCS computers for commercial gain or private profit
17. Unauthorized copying of copyrighted material including, but not limited to, digitization and distribution of photographs from magazines, music, videotapes, books, or other copyrighted sources, and copyrighted software
18. Exporting software or technical information in violation of U.S. export laws
19. Posting or e-mailing scams such as "make money fast" schemes or pyramid/chain letters
20. Threatening bodily harm or property damage to individuals or groups
21. Making fraudulent offers of products, items, or services originating from a user’s account
22. Attempting to access the accounts of others, or attempting to penetrate security measures of other entities’ systems ("hacking"), whether or not the intrusion results in corruption or loss of data
23. Accessing another person’s computer, computer account, files, or data without permission
24. Using any means to decode or otherwise obtain restricted passwords or access control information
25. Attempting to circumvent or subvert system or network security measures. Examples include creating or running programs that are designed to identify security loopholes, to decrypt intentionally secured data, or to gain access to any system; Initiating or facilitating in any way mass unsolicited and unofficial electronic mailing (e.g., "spamming", "phishing", "flooding", or "bombing")
26. Engaging in any activity that might be purposefully harmful to systems or to any information stored thereon, such as creating or propagating viruses, disrupting services, damaging files or making unauthorized modifications to data
27. Engaging in any other activity that does not comply with the general principles presented above.
28. Activities will not be considered misuse when authorized by appropriate College officials for security or performance testing.