a. The Internet is to be used for business purposes. It may not be used for personal purposes, other than minor or incidental use.
b. A personal computer that accesses the Internet (either via LAN or dial-up based mechanisms) must have Anti-Virus software installed and operational. Information Technology reserves the right to disable Internet access on a personal computer that lacks this protection. Only Information Technology approved Browser software may be used to access the Internet.
c. The Internet must be used in a legal, ethical, inoffensive, and responsible manner. The County, through commercial blocking software, blocks and restricts certain Internet sites that are inappropriate. County Internet use may not be for personal gain; private commercial activities; or to view, send, or cause to send obscene and indecent matter.
d. The County reserves the right to monitor use of the Internet by its employees, and Information Technology may report individual Internet abuse to the Department Head for disciplinary action.
e. Internet communications, while convenient, are not secure. Confidential information should not be communicated on the Internet.
f. The County has installed Firewall Security to ensure safety and security of its networks, and no employee may attempt to disable, defeat, or circumvent any security facility.
g. Software and other information on the Internet may be protected by the Copyright Act, Patent Act, or Uniform Trade Secrets Act, and employees must comply with applicable requirements of these Acts. No County employee may use the County Internet facilities to download or distribute pirated software or data.
h. Web Pages that represent Anne Arundel County or a Department of the County must be coordinated with and approved by Information Technology.
i. Employees should schedule communications intensive operations, such as large file transfers, mass electronic-mailings, and video downloads, for off peak times.
