ICT code of conduct

Everyone granted access to HvAnet must abide by the ICT code of conduct.

Violation of one or more of the rules in this code of conduct may result in the user being denied access to HvAnet for a period determined by or on behalf of the Board. This period will be no longer than one year. The period may be extended in the event of repeated violations.

1. Keep your AUAS-ID + password confidential

  • Your AUAS-ID + password is strictly for personal use, and may not be lent out to others. There is no need to lend out your AUAS-ID + password to fellow students or colleagues: they have been issued their own AUAS-ID + password.
  • Lending out your AUAS-ID + password to third parties is prohibited. SURFnet, the parent network of AUAS, prohibits the use of its network by third parties.
  • System administrators are not allowed to ask you for your AUAS-ID password under any circumstances.

2. Regularly choose strong passwords

For example, choose a password made up of the first letters of a sentence you find easy to remember, and change one or two letters into characters. ‘I hardly ever eat cabbage anymore' would then become Ihe!ca. Keep in mind that specially designed software can be used to find out your password by means of password guessing if you choose anything obvious. Your username and password must always be different.

3. Rather save data in the cloud than on your pc

Saving your data in the cloud – like in OneDrive – will limit damage to your files in the event of a major incident: backups are made of all files you save in the cloud, which is more effectively protected against viruses and other threats than your own computer.

4. Take precautions to prevent computer hacking

  • Activate a password-protected screensaver on your computer.
  • On your private devices such as your laptop or tablet, use a firewall.
  • Always provide your software with the latest updates.
  • Install updates to your operating system regularly.
  • Do not install or activate unnecessary software applications.
  • Never engage in hacking, cracking, spoofing, defacing, cross-site scripting, portscans, sniffing and denial of service attacks.

5. Do not violate any law, including copyright law

AUAS employees and/or students may not use the AUAS network to engage in activities that are in violation of any law. AUAS employees have a relationship with the AUAS subject to employment law, and may be subject to additional rules on the basis of their collective labour agreement.

6. Do not distribute offensive material

In spite of freedom of expression, there are limits to what is deemed acceptable. Make sure to observe proper conduct. Do not distribute discriminatory, defamatory and/or offensive material. Try to keep in mind the old adage ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you'.

7. Do not use illegal or undesirable software

This includes software for which the required licensing fees have not been paid and software that disrupts normal operation of the computer and/or AUAS network. Software applications such as BitTorrent are not illegal, but the consequences of their use almost always are.

8. Do not distribute computer viruses

  • The term computer viruses should also be taken to include worms, Trojans, etc.
  • On your private devices like your laptop or tablet, install an antivirus programme and make sure you have the most up-to-date antivirus files.
  • Be careful when opening attachments and programmes on the internet.

9. Do not send unsolicited emails

  • You may not send out anonymous e-mails or e-mails with an incorrect sender address (spam).
  • It is also not allowed to send an e-mail to any group of employees from the address book, asking them to participate in a survey, for example. This causes inconvenience to both employees and the system.

10. Do not use the AUAS network and/or AUAS software for commercial purposes

In cases of abuse, access to ICT services, such as the AUAS network or Brightspace, may be denied. Employees found guilty of abuse may be subject to dismissal.

Published by  ICT Services 21 July 2023