Technology at Berkeley Site Navigation:
Responding to Inappropriate Use of Computing and Network Resources
- What are the rules?
- Where do I report misuse?
- Where do I report security incidents?
- Where do I report threatening behavior?
- How do I report inappropriate email?
- Do I need to keep copies?
- Tell me who — I'll take care of it myself!
- Is my privacy protected?
- How can I avoid junk email?
- What about misuse of campus mailing lists?
- Inappropriate material from sources other than email?
- Where do I report copyright violations?
- Fraud, consumer scams?
What are the rules?
The Berkeley Campus IT Policy site outlines the regulations applying to campus users. If you have questions about applicability of a policy you may send email to policy@berkeley.edu. Also see Regulations of Campus Departments or Units for use of their local resources. Off-campus service users are governed by their company's own terms and conditions.
Where do I report misuse?
If the material in question was not sent from a ".berkeley.edu" address (or posted at a ".berkeley.edu" website), complaints must be directed to the off-campus service provider. The Abuse Net website enables you to "Look up the contacts for a domain" and provides details on "How can I tell where to complain?". (Scroll down their page.) If the material in question was sent from a campus email or network connection account or resides on a UCB website, send email to: abuse@berkeley.edu.
Where do I report security incidents?
Report security incidents affecting campus locations to: security@berkeley.edu. IST's Computer, Network, and Data Security website has referral information for campus computer users and systems staff.
Where do I report threatening behavior?
For threats of VIOLENCE, other EMERGENCIES, or suspected criminal activities call the Campus Police at (510) 642-6770.
How do I report inappropriate email?
When reporting inappropriate email, either to the campus or to an off-campus service provider (see above), you must provide a complete, unedited, copy of the email message in question. You must also include the full-length message headers. (Email programs often display shortened, incomplete, network routing information headers.) To find out how to display the full-length headers, consult your email "help" system or the consultant staff.
Do I need to keep copies?
Even if the email you receive is very offensive, if you want action to be taken do not delete your copy. It probably will be needed as evidence and there is no guarantee that the system's copy will still be available.
Tell me who — I'll take care of it myself!
Service providers are not able to release information identifying individuals, or to describe actions taken in response to reports. Exceptions require legal documents such as a court order or subpoena.
Is my privacy protected?
The identity of the reporting party is only released to authorized investigators.
How can I avoid junk email?
See the BC&C newsletter article How to reduce the flow of junk email.
What about misuse of campus mailing lists?
Your options depend upon the status of the list:
- Send complaints regarding email you received via an "official" campus departmental mailing list to the owner of that list, or to the departmental administrator.
- You have the right to be removed from any "un-official" campus mailing list in order to avoid receiving material you don't want. Contact the list owner.
To identify the owner, contact the administrators of the server on which the list resides ("consult@" or "postmaster@" the server name). The "abuse" office will intervene only if the list owner is violating policy, for example: if an un-official list owner does not comply with your request to be removed. For more information see the resources below.
Inappropriate material from sources other than email?
Direct your report to the responsible party's service provider. (See above details, as for email.) Be sure to include:
- The media involved (chat, ICQ, Usenet, website, etc.).
- The "berkeley.edu" account or address used.
- The content of the inappropriate message, file, or site.
- Any user information you have.
A news posting originator's service provider can be identified from the "NNTP-Posting-Host" header line. (The newsfeed.berkeley.edu backbone transit server does not have control over the content of Usenet news.)
Where do I report copyright violations?
Direct any allegations of online copyright infringement to the service provider's "Designated Agent" whose name is on file with the U.S. Copyright Office. The Designated Agent to respond to reports alleging copyright infringements on UC Berkeley (".berkeley.edu") online locations is IT Policy Manager Karen Eft. For more information see IST's Copyright Information Resources website.
Fraud, consumer scams?
If you receive email or see a website describing a commercial opportunity which you believe involves fraud or other violations of consumer or economic law, you can contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Even if they do not act immediately based on your particular report, they want to be informed of such matters, since they may eventually take action based on cumulative information received over a period of time.
Related Resources
- Campus Online Activities Policy section on Use of electronic mail.
- How to reduce the flow of junk email provides tips on actions individuals can take.
- Reducing the exposure of your Majordomo email list to spam describes how Majordomo list owners can reduce the exposure of their mailing lists to spam attacks.
- The Guidelines for Administering Appropriate Use of Campus Computing and Network Services for Berkeley Campus departments or units who provide computing and network services.
- The Guidelines for Departments or Units to Respond to Campus-Supported Web Site Issues is a supplement to the Policies and Guidelines for Publishing on the Web at UCB.