SUNY Cortland Policy on Adware/Spyware

Adware is any software application in which advertising banners are displayed while a program is running. Adware is often displayed in pop-up windows, and it is also seen embedded in e-mail messages and documents. Adware poses a security risk and a privacy threat because it often contains spyware. Spyware tracks a user's personal information and passes it on to third parties. Adware/spyware can adversely affect the system performance; in some cases can cause a total system failure. It may take several hours for technologists to return a machine to proper functionality.

In accordance with campus security practices and commitment to protect user privacy and to maintain machines in optimal working order, measures to prevent adware/spyware on campus-owned computers will be taken according to the following policy.

Faculty and staff should not install programs that may contain adware, and they are responsible for taking measures to detect and eliminate adware/spyware programs from their computers. Installation of such software is a direct violation of SUNY Cortland's Data Communications Network Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy.

Accordingly faculty and staff should contact the Technology Help Center before downloading or installing any unsupported or unlicensed software. This includes but is not limited to desktop programs such as wallpapers, screensavers, customized e-mail stationery and the hotbar spam blocker software.

Information Resource staff will assist users in evaluating software on desktop computers and removing unauthorized software. Failure to comply with this security/privacy policy may result in termination of system privileges.