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We've recently received complaints from sites on the Internet whose Usenet
News servers were probed by a UO-connected desktop. This machine was apparently
running NewsPro, a Usenet News software program that has the ability to try
to connect to large numbers of news servers that are found by checking Usenet's
"Path" field (see http://www.usenetopia.com/pubsrv.htm
).
Use of this or similar tools that attempt unauthorized access to network resources
(particularly tools that enable wholesale probes) is contrary to the university's
Acceptable Use Policy as well as ORS 164.377(4), which states:
Any person who knowingly and without authorization uses, accesses or attempts to access any computer, computer system, computer network, or any computer software, program, documentation or data contained in such computer, computer system or computer network, commits computer crime.
[http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/164.html]
"Computer crime," as defined by that Oregon statute, is a Class A
misdemeanor. Use of network scanning/probing tools may also result in termination
of your access to UOnet and/or disciplinary action by the university.
UO users who want to read Usenet News are welcome to use either of two locally
provided Usenet News servers: news.uoregon.edu or platform.uoregon.edu
If you have doubts about the advisability of running any program or program feature, please contact the Computing Center's Acceptable Use Officer, Jon Miyake (miyake@darkwing.uoregon.edu) before proceeding.