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Use of School Computers

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

When using the school computers we all depend on each other.
We are aware that recently there has been widespread use of programs designed to bypass firewalls and other security systems. This is a very serious and potentially extremely dangerous practice.

What is a firewall?

It is like the front door of a house.
You would not leave the door open for anyone to come in and you would be careful about who had a key.
Why have one?
For the same reasons you have keys to your house!
Bypassing firewalls is like:

  • hanging a set of keys on the outside of your front door
  • allowing someone in and letting them change the locks
  • advertising a party at your house where you could end up with hundreds of gatecrashers and massive damage

If a new installation of Windows is connected to the Internet without suitable protection it will usually be attacked within 20 minutes and become unusable unless the newly arrived viruses are removed.
Viruses, Trojan Horses, Worms, Spyware, Malware and bots are all forms of attack designed to damage data, stop PCs working properly or gain the use of your computer for illegal purposes such as Identity Theft, fraud and so on. You do not have to ask many people before you find someone who has suffered in some way from a compromised computer or the use of a social networking site.

What have we got that needs protecting?

  1. students
  2. the personal contact details of pupils
  3. the personal details of parents and staff
  4. GCSE and A level work
  5. A significant investment in teaching resources
  6. bank details
  7. financial details
  8. 100+ computers

We have legal obligations to protect you and the data on the computers.

Why does it matter?

Personal information is legally protected because it can be dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands.
This is why the loss of two disks by the government has dominated the national news over recent days

How real or likely is the threat?

At School we already have to clear Trojan Horses which crash PCs while you are working. It is obvious that opening holes in our protection would increase the problem. Shared computers mean that programs or problems that pupils introduce can be passed to staff areas and vice versa.

What is an Acceptable Use policy?

A contract that you sign to say you will follow a set of rules. Almost all workplaces have these nowadays. Will someone trust you with their business or lives if your school records show that you cannot be trusted?

What is your responsibility?

To behave in a way that protects every user of the network.

What are the consequences of ignoring the Acceptable Use Policy?

- To the school network system: The most likely result is the loss of use of some, or all, of the network, but there could be more serious consequences from malicious people.
- To the student: ANY further attempts to bypass the School’s protection systems or which break the Acceptable Use Policy will result in:

- a permanent entry on your school records
- immediate suspension from school
- permanent exclusion for a second offence
- immediate contact with parents or guardians

This is a key area in which we all need to work together. Each and every one of you has a vital part to play. Thank you for your cooperation