"The unauthorized use of, or access to, a computer for purposes contrary to the wishes
of the owner of the computer or the data held thereon."
This description encompasses such actions as the unauthorized access to computer
systems, the modification of programs, the manipulation or interception of data and
even sabotage. Danger signs.
Examples:
Pornography
This is proving to be a bigger and bigger problem area with the ease of access
to
pornography on the Internet. It is common for staff to abuse their company links to the
Internet in order to download material of an inappropriate nature. Child pornography
also frequently features in cases of this kind.
Invasion of privacy
The invasion of people’s privacy by the interception of their electronic mail,
or the simple
theft of their passwords or User IDs is becoming an increasingly common problem with
the march towards the paperless office.
Abuse of a Company Computer System / Information-Secrets
This encompasses the employee explicitly breaking company policies or AUP's by way
of setting up their own personal email accounts on a company computer as well as
browsing or searching for other than company directed topics. re: pornography, personal
finance research, etc . . .