Example of an Internet Acceptable Use Policy

This Internet Acceptable Use Policy applies to all company staff and to anyone with access to company resources.

Overview

Use of the Internet by employees of [Your Company] is encouraged in the execution of day-to-day business inasmuch as it supports company goals. The company’s standards of business conduct must be maintained whenever the Internet is used.

Users Shall Not

Internet

• Visit Internet sites that contain obscene or offensive materials.
• Make or post indecent remarks, proposals or materials on the Internet.

Email

• Solicit emails that are unrelated to business activities or for personal gain.
• Send or knowingly receive any material that is obscene or defamatory or which is intended to harass, annoy or intimidate another person.
• Represent personal opinions as those of the company.

Confidentiality

• Upload, download or otherwise transmit commercial software or any copyrighted materials.
• Reveal or publicise confidential or proprietary information which includes, but is not limited to: financial information, new business and product ideas, marketing strategies and plans, databases and the information contained therein, customer lists, technical product information, computer software source codes, computer/network access codes, and business relationships.
• Send confidential emails without suitable encryption.

Download

• Download any software or electronic files without implementing virus protection measures that have been approved by the company.
• Intentionally interfere with the normal operation of the network, including the propagation of computer viruses and sustained high volume network traffic that substantially hinders others in their use of the network.
• Examine, change or use another person’s files, output or user name for which they do not have explicit authorisation.

General

• Perform any other inappropriate uses identified by the network administrator.
• Waste time on non-company business.

Keep your job and your reputation

Follow your organization’s Internet Acceptable Use Policy, or risk disciplinary action and termination of employment. The company retains the right, indeed acknowledges its obligation, to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.