The laws in different countries and legal jurisdictions vary, but generally actions such as the following are considered to be illegal:
- It is not permissible to make any changes to system software or hardware configurations without customer permission.
- It is not permissible to access a customer’s or co-worker’s accounts, private files, or email messages without permission.
- It is not permissible to install, copy, or share digital content (including software, music, text, images, and video) in violation of copyright and software agreements or the applicable law. Copyright and trademark laws vary between states, countries and regions.
- It is not permissible to use a customer’s company IT resources for commercial purposes.
- It is not permissible to make a customer’s IT resources available to unauthorized users.
- It is not permissible to knowingly use a customer’s company resources for illegal activities. Criminal or illegal use typically includes obscenity, child pornography, threats, harassment, copyright infringement, university trademark infringement, defamation, theft, identity theft, and unauthorized access.
- It is not permissible to share sensitive customer information. You are required to maintain confidentiality of this data.
This list is not exhaustive. All businesses and their employees must know and comply with all applicable laws of the jurisdiction in which they operate.