Computing Policy for Department of Mathematics

There are a few things to observe to keep the computer network as secure as possible.

• All users must observe the University's guideline on "Appropriate Use of Information Technology"
• A secure password must be used. A secure password
• Must be eight characters
• contains numbers, punctuation and upper- and lower-case letters
• does not contain a colon (:)
• does not contain your user ID or anyone's name, either forwards or reversed
• does not contain any string of characters associated with you (your licence plate, your telephone number, etc.), either forwards or reversed
• is not a word that can be found in any dictionary (English, French, Spanish, biographical, specialized, etc.), either forwards or reversed
• A secure password that you can remember easily may contain one or more misspelled or combined words, numbers or punctuation marks (but not a colon). Some examples: brkFst42, OKBlu'Js, Big&gr8. Don't use these examples--invent one of your own. Following these guidelines helps to defend you and others from unauthorized use of your account, your files and your computing funds.
• An insecure password means not only your inconvenience if someone breaks into your account and messes up your files, but also to everyone else using the same computer server, because gaining access to one account is often the first step to gain illegal access to 'root' (meaning all superuser system privileges).
• A computer account is for the use of a specific member of the Department and is non-transerable. The password for the account should NOT revealed to spouses, family members or friends, even our IT support personel.
• Printing Policy for UBC Department Computer lab account holders:
  
  • Not allow to print any copyright material.
  • Not allow to print any material that is not for required lab hand-in.
  • The free quota is 35 pages per lab. If users need more, the cost will be $20/100 pages. IT staff will not make any exceptions.