What to do if you receive Inappropriate Materials electronically

1 Purpose and Scope

This document provides guidance on how Users should respond to inappropriate materials appearing on their computer equipment, or in their digital work areas.

2 Reference

2.1 Information Transfer Policy, March 2005 (draft)

3 Definitions

3.1 Inappropriate Use

Inappropriate use of University equipment includes the following:

• Downloading and retaining unlicensed files eg music, video, software etc
• Downloading, holding and using unlicensed software
• Holding, using and transmitting pirate key generators to others
• Downloading, holding and using peer to peer file sharing software
• Using University equipment to spam other users, internally or externally
• Downloading, holding and using packet sniffing software
• Accessing pornography
• Other activities as defined in the Information Transfer Policy

3.2 Pornography

The definitions below are accepted by the Policing Authority

Paedophilia: Sexual image involving an individual under the age of Eighteen.

Note: It is a criminal offence to be in possession of, retain or transmit Paedophile images.

Pornography: Any visual or written material containing a sexual reference.

Note 1: It is not a criminal offence to retain or transmit pornographic images between two consenting adults.

 Note 2: It is an offence to transmit a pornographic image to a non consenting adult.

 Note 3: It is an offence to transmit a pornographic image to a minor, i.e. to someone under the age of eighteen.

 Note 4: All of the above 1 - 3 are inappropriate use of university equipment .

4 Procedure

4.1 Instructions for Users

4.1.1 If you receive materials which you find unsatisfactory, or which you suspect may place you at risk of being seen as using your equipment in an inappropriate manner, please contact the IT Helpdesk immediately.  The Helpdesk team will advise you of the steps to take.  There are several possibilities including

1. secure the computer/room and do not use it further until IT staff arrive
2. close down the computer and await the arrival of IT staff
3. carry on working until IT staff arrive.

The nature of the advice provided and action necessary is dependent on the nature of materials received.

4.1.2 Do not transmit any message or materials to anyone else - eg DO NOT send them to the IT Helpdesk

4.1.3 Do consider what you were doing when you discovered the materials, and please be prepared to participate in writing the Incident report which will be necessary to record what has happened.  The IT staff will help with this process.

4.1.4 Do not worry! 

4.1.5 If the materials received may be classified as child pornography, then the consequences are rather more significant (provision of new hard drives etc) - but again the IT staff will support you through this process.

Last Updated: 8 May, 2006
Edited by: Learning Services Web Team