Computing Rules

All users of computing facilities within Balliol are subject to the College Computing Rules, University Rules and Statutes, JANET rules and UK law. Please read the following sections. Breaches of rules will result in fines and other disciplinary action.

General

1. Users are subject to:

  • All JANET rules — JANET Acceptible Use Policy
  • All Oxford University IT Regulations — Oxford University Statutes
  • All Oxford University Computing Services’ rules

Review all the above computing rules here.

Concerning hardware

2. Only the assigned IP number may be used.

3. No equipment other than a single network card in a personal computer may be connected to the network socket.

4. The use of all wireless LANs or wireless equipment is banned, except connection to the Eduroam or OWL wireless services.

5. No hardware or software may be used which compromises the security of the network or the privacy of users.

State and status of computers, including virus protection and high-priority updates

6. It is mandatory that users must install a virus checker and keep it up to date automatically (a free virus checker is available from the University); this includes Apple Mac operating systems. 

7. It is mandatory that users must keep their operating system up to date with security patches (e.g. Windows update, free over the network). Microsoft Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8 (including 8.1), and Mac OS versions including and prior to 10.14 will NOT be allowed on the network. Please ensure you have an up-to-date operating system installed with automatic update patching. 

The ICT Department reserve the right to deny access to any computers that do not have up-to-date firewalls, security patches and service packs, and up-to-date virus control software that is updated automatically. This applies to all College Members and devices they use. 

8. Users with computers in their rooms are responsible for the content of their computer and to any use to which their computer has been put.

9. Users who share their computer resources are not recognised as System Administrators and may not act in that privileged position in respect of the University Security and Privacy Policy.

10. College will not recognise any obligations made to outside parties concerning the use of a computer attached to the College network.

11. The network may not be used for commercial purposes.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) programs and file sharing, and other forbidden activities

12. The use of iTunes to share music (not video), which does not infringe copyright, across College, is permitted provided that the iTunes shares are password-protected. The rules concerning peer-to-peer (P2P) software do not apply to iTunes.

13. The unauthorised use of peer-to-peer resource-sharing software on machines connected the Oxford University network is prohibited.

14. Users must remove all programs from their computers which involve peer-to-peer file sharing.

A reasonably comprehensive list of forbidden P2P programs includes:

  • µTorrent
  • ABC
  • Acquisition
  • Adagio
  • Alliance
  • AllPeers
  • Amicima
  • aMule
  • ANts P2P
  • ApexDC++
  • Applejuice
  • Ares
  • Ares Galaxy
  • Audiogalaxy
  • Avalanche
  • Azureus
  • BCDC++
  • BearShare
  • BitComet
  • BitLord
  • BitSpirit
  • BitTornado
  • BITTORRENT
  • Blubster
  • Burst!
  • Cabos
  • CAKE
  • Caribou
  • Chord
  • CoolStreaming
  • Coral
  • Cybersky-TV
  • DC++
  • Dijjer
  • Direct Connect
  • EarthStation 5
  • eDonkey
  • eDonkey2000
  • eMule
  • eMule Plus
  • Entropy
  • expressLoad
  • FastTrack
  • Filecroc
  • FileScope
  • FileTopia
  • FlashGet
  • FreeCast
  • Freenet
  • FrostWire
  • G3 Torrent
  • giFT
  • Gnucleus
  • GNUnet
  • GNUnet-gtk
  • Gnutella
  • Gnutella2
  • Grokster
  • Groove
  • gtk-gnutella
  • Halite
  • Hamachi
  • Hydranode
  • IceShare
  • iFolder
  • iMesh
  • iMesh Light
  • IRC
  • Joost
  • Jubster
  • JXTA
  • Kad network
  • Kazaa
  • Kazaa Lite
  • KCeasy
  • Key network
  • Kiwi Alpha
  • KoffeePhoto
  • konspire2b
  • KONTIKI (Sky)
  • Krawler[x]
  • KTorrent
  • LIMEWIRE
  • lMule
  • Lphant
  • Madster/Aimster
  • Mammoth
  • MLDonkey
  • mlMac
  • Mnet
  • MojoNation
  • Morpheus
  • MUTE
  • Napigator
  • Napshare
  • NEO Network
  • NeoModus Direct Connect
  • Octoshape
  • Omemo
  • OpenFT
  • OpenNap
  • Opera
  • Overnet
  • PeerCast
  • Peersites
  • PeerStream
  • Perfect Dark
  • P‑Grid
  • Phex
  • Piolet
  • Poisoned
  • PPLive
  • Pruna
  • QTorrent
  • Rawflow
  • Retroshare
  • rtorrent
  • Scour
  • Shareaza
  • Solipsis
  • soribada
  • Soulseek
  • SPIN
  • StrongDC++
  • Swapper
  • Swarmcast
  • The Circle
  • Transmission
  • Tribler
  • TrustyFiles
  • TVants
  • TVUPlayer
  • Warez P2P
  • WASTE
  • WinMX
  • Winny
  • xMule
  • XoloX
  • ZEPP
  • Zultrax

15. Users may not have open shares on their computers; all shares must be password-protected. iTunes (music) shares must be password protected.

16. Users may not download or exchange music or movies, including those from legitimate subscription services, using the College or University network. iTunes™ (music) and Internet radio are permitted but may be curtailed if necessary because of significant traffic.

17. Users may not run:

  • mail servers (e.g. imapd, smtp)
  • network support services (e.g. DNS, DHCP, BOOTP servers)
  • games servers without the permission of the IT Manager
  • web servers (e.g. http, https) without authorisation from the IT Manager
  • their own wireless networks. Devices that are found to be transmitting a wireless signal will be disallowed from the network

18. Do not illegally download movies. Movie studios keep a tight eye on the Oxford domain and will notice. You will be blocked from the network and get a fine of £60. You will need to present your computer to the ICT department for inspection. 

If in doubt, ask the ICT Department.