Dear Resident Student,

Like colleges throughout the country, the University of Maine at Presque Isle is refining computer use policies regarding file sharing and copyright laws. The music industry views file sharing as theft, and its lawsuits shut down Napster in 2001. Undaunted, file sharers have simply shifted to other programs like Kazaa, Grokster and Morpheus, which also allow the swapping of digital movies and electronic books. Computer Services is obligated to assist law enforcement in investigations of pirated materials transferred over our network.

In the past, we have been hesitant about limiting use of file sharing programs. However, over this past year there has been a greater urgency due to the expansion of use. This use has interfered with the amount of Internet bandwidth needed for primary campus functions such as videoconferencing and e-mail. Consequently, although regrettable, it is necessary that Computer Services enforce its policy prohibiting the use of Kazaa and similar file sharing programs. Violation of this prohibition will lead to suspension of campus Internet connections.

If Computer Services has to disconnect a student's Internet access, Computer Services will attempt immediately to notify the student by phone. If the student is unavailable, then someone from Residential Life will follow up with notification. After the first time that a student is disconnected, to be re-connected the student will need to remove all file sharing programs and write a letter notifying Computer Services that s(he) has done so. If the student's computer is disconnected a second time, it will remain disconnected for four academic weeks. A third offense will result in permanent disconnection.

A second matter is of equally urgent concern. A recent Windows vulnerability, called a worm, allowed attackers to gain control of computers running Windows systems. All resident students with network connections are susceptible to infections. As a consequence, University policy must hold students responsible for routinely downloading and installing appropriate patches.

Depending upon the version of your computer's operating system, the following steps to protect your computer are available at Microsoft's Security website.

Following are several practices that you should adopt to protect computers from virus infections:

• Use a high-quality anti-virus program and be sure to update it regularly. Use it to scan any files, programs, software, or storage media (even new software from a commercial company) before you use them on your computer. There are several free anti-virus protection programs available. Computer Services recommends a free software program called AVG available at www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php
• Whenever possible, employ personal firewall software.
• Make back-up copies of important documents or files and store them on separate media. Making backups will also protect your information against accidental file deletion, disk failure, and other damage.
• Do not share commercial software with anyone. It is a violation of the author's copyright to distribute such material, and it is a way to spread viruses.
• When you get public domain (PD) software for which the author has granted permission to make copies, get it from a reliable source. (For example, an individual you do not know is not a reliable source.) Before you run PD material, use an anti-virus program to inspect for known viruses.
• Always scan your media diskettes and files after using them on another computer.
• Always scan files you download from the Internet.
• Always scan email attachments before you read them (and never open files with multiple file extensions like "myfile.jpg.exe". Legitimate files will have only one extension such as "myfile.jpg").
• Always be suspicious of unsolicited .exe file attachments.

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Last Tableized Friday, 23 Apr 2004