Internet Best Practice

The University employs a network monitoring tool (Websense) which prevents users of the University network from accessing websites that pose a risk to the University's IT infrastructure (for example fraudulent or malicious websites).  Warning messages are displayed when access is attempted to inappropriate websites that are likely to be in breach of the University's IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy.

Most websites are accessible without interruption.  The vast majority of web users in the University are unlikely to be affected by the deployment of Websense. For those who encounter a warning message, you will be in a position to choose not to proceed, or alternatively you may click through the warning message if you have a legitimate work/study reason for accessing the website. If you encounter a warning message and believe that the website is not inappropriate, and has been incorrectly classified by Websense, you will have the option of requesting that it be reclassified.  The Associate Director of Technology Services has the authority to approve WebSense exemption emails.

 Minimising the Costs of Internet Use

The following best practice recommendations and tips for minimising the cost of internet use should be observed whenever possible;

0. Remember that most viewing of non-University web pages costs the University money and you may be asked to pay for excessive use.
0. Regularly review your internet use by selecting 'Check your Internet usage' in the left hand column of the 'SNAP' web site at:
        http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/current/snap/
0. Do not leave your web browser open on a page that automatically refreshes its content, particularly pictures and images. Search engines, webcams, the White Pages and Yellow Pages are typical examples. Note that if you minimise a page, or hide it behind another window on your screen, the material is still being downloaded.
0. Check for unwanted web browser windows, and close them.  Some websites open additional windows behind the main one.
0. Use your University provided email account, instead of services like Yahoo! or Hotmail, for University-related email.  When you read your inbox on most commercial email services you are using the internet and the University will be charged for your use.
0. Consider the content of the sites you visit. Web pages that contain images, movies and sound are larger, and cost more to download, than pages which are more text-oriented.