Office of Information Technology

Rules and Regulations

As a student of the University of Tennessee it is expected that you have read, understood, and will abide by all policies, procedures, rules, regulations and laws that govern UT’s Information System Security (http://oit.utk.edu/aup).

Assuming you are in compliance with the copyright laws, yes you can.

The problem is that the files are so large, they take up a lot of bandwidth. Bandwidth is the physical space that is used in the cable connection to download a file. The ResNet network (student residence hall network) bandwidth stays at 100 percent capacity at all times when the residence halls are full. The majority of that traffic is in file downloads. If you use a file sharing software such as Kazaa or K-lite, you need to be sure that the service is turned off when it is not in use. Otherwise your computer becomes a host for others, anywhere, all using UT’s bandwidth, reducing the speed and efficiency for the ResNet network for all students.

Due to the high consumption of bandwidth, it is easy to tell who is downloading files. Several agencies, among them both the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) attempt to deter those who are illegally downloading music and movies from the Internet. Typically they request user information from the Internet Service Provider (in UT’s case, ResNet). They then may go after the specific offender.

Yes! You are more susceptible to receiving Spyware and Adware on your machine. Most Spyware is installed when you click on pop up ads, download music files, or install free programs.

Spyware and Adware are files that are installed on your computer without your knowledge. They allow companies to monitor your Internet browsing patterns. They also enable companies to send pop-up advertisements targeted to your browsing patterns. Besides tracking your surfing habits Spyware and Adware can also profile your shopping preferences, hijack your browser, and install unwanted software on your computer.

The results of Spyware and Adware can vary but here are some of the most common complaints: resetting your home page, changing search results, displaying pop-up ads, installing a new program on your machine, slowing down browsers, adding toolbars to your browser.

You can either purchase a Spyware removal program or you can download one of the free ones to help clean Spyware from your computer. Two or three different programs are sometimes needed to completely clean Spyware from computers. Be aware that even if you use one of these programs, they might not catch all of the problems on your computer. Two of the free ones that we recommend are called Ad-aware and Spybot. You can download them for free at http://www.download.com.

If you are connecting to the University Network, you have to use the university-provided software on your machine and be diligent to update the software on a timely basis. Not only is it in the Acceptable Use Policy (that you have already agreed to abide by), but it is the best way to protect your machine from the latest viruses, some of which can render your machine useless. It is downloaded from http://antivirus.utk.edu.