Employee Responsibilities

THE UWF COMPUTING RESOURCES AGREEMENT

As part of activating their ArgoNet Account, every UWF employee agrees to the UWF Computing Resources Agreement. This agreement governs the use of UWF technology. University resources are intended to support the University’s mission and strategic priorities by enabling faculty, staff, and students to more effectively conduct their work, scholarship, and research.  It is important that every employee be familiar with this agreement and understand the appropriate use and inappropriate use of IT resources.

CLICKING "I AGREE"

You know about computer viruses, phishing scams, and identity theft.  Your computer has virus protection, and you are careful about sharing personal information on the Internet.  You’re doing a good job with security related issues.  BUT, there’s one minor, sometimes annoying, little detail that if you are not careful could undo all your good efforts.   That detail is end user license agreements (EULAs).

What is a EULA and why is it important?

You have seen a EULA – the window that pops up before you install a new piece of software, full of legal words and terms.  Sometimes referred to as “click-wrap” or “click-through” agreements, EULAs ask you to click “I agree” before the software can be installed.   If truth be told, most of us don’t read this information, but EULAs are important to understand for several reasons:

• EULAs are legally binding contracts between you and a software developer.
• EULAs can impose terms and conditions that affect your online security and privacy.
• If the University does not have a contract with the software developer that includes the particular software you are installing, you are assuming personal liability for the requirements stated in the EULA.

How EULAs impact security and privacy

EULAs can require terms and conditions that include such things as monitoring your internet activity, collecting personal information, using your computing resources, and holding you to terms of third party software agreements.  All these scenarios pose a risk to the security and privacy of your personal information. In addition, because your UWF computer is connected to the University network, this risk extends to other University computers and to the University as a whole.

EULAs and Your Legal Responsibilities

In addition to the hidden dangers for privacy and information security that may be obscured in the text of a click-through software license, there may also be great personal legal liability for you.  When you click "I agree" on an EULA, you are executing a legally-binding contract.  However, since most employees do not have the authority to execute contracts on behalf of the university (see General Counsel's statement below), you are obligating yourself, not the university, to the terms of the contract. Should you incur any liability for breach of the license terms, you will be personally responsible for the consequences.  This is an important distinction between software licensed by the university in a university contract versus software you purchase in shrink-wrap fashion or download over the Internet.   If you have any questions about whether or not a software package is covered by a university contract, you can email the Office of the General Counsel or contact them @ 474-3420.

Statement from the Office of General Counsel
Unauthorized Purchases/Contractual Obligations:

"The UWF President has delegated full authority to Procurement and Contracts (P&C) to commit UWF to purchases and contractual arrangements.  Contractual obligations (including free software licenses)without the approval of P&C or Office of General Counsel may be considered the responsibility of the employee and not UWF."

What to watch out for in EULAs

There are several things you can do to protect yourself and your computer when it comes to EULAs.

• Read the EULA before you install the software.  Yes, this can be painfully boring, but it’s the only way to know exactly what privacy and security risks you might be taking if you click the “I agree."
• Do not agree to EULAs that monitor your online activities.  Even if you are comfortable with surrendering this kind of personal information to a third party, monitoring software installed on your UWF computer can create privacy and security problems for the University as a whole.  Your UWF computer is part of the larger university network.  Monitoring your personal activities can potentially lead to monitoring University activities.
• Do not agree to EULAs that request you surrender any control of your computer.  Some software installations prompt you to make changes in your security or firewall settings.  These changes can make your computer more vulnerable to viruses and malware.  In addition, because your UWF computer is part of the greater University network, changes (or weaknesses) in your computer’s firewall can lead to access to the University network and the confidential information that is used and stored on the network.
• Consider the software developer.  Are they a well known company or someone you have never heard of?  If you don’t know the software developer, review the EULA very carefully.
• Be careful of “free” software and do not install any peer-to-peer file sharing software.  When you agree to a EULA that requires file sharing, you are giving up control over directories or folders on your computer and allowing others to upload content to your computer.  This kind of file sharing enhances the risk to your personal data and your computer’s exposure to software flaws and security workarounds.  Security workarounds can provide someone with access to other UWF computers and to the University network including confidential information that is part of University records and business.

For more information about EULAs, see “Software License Agreements: Ignore at Your Own Risk” by Edward Desautels.