If it’s computer related, it doesn’t necessarily qualify it as abuse. Computer hacking, email threats, computer theft, viruses, and spam are all serious problems.

• Computer hacking is a crime that the University takes very serious. If you are a student or employee of FSU, the short answer is, DON’T DO IT. If you suspect your system has been hacked, email the Helpdesk with as much information as you can. The Helpdesk will create a request for the User Services Security team to investigate.
• Email threats and harassment are serious offenses that are handled by the FSU Police Department or the local authorities. If you are being threatened or personally harassed you will need to contact the appropriate authorities.
• If you witness or have information relating to computer theft on campus, contact the FSU Police Department. You will need to contact the appropriate authorities if you have information relating to an off campus incident.
• Computer viruses are very insidious in nature. They can send out bulk email from your system to contacts in your address book, to rendering your system completely inoperable. There are several Antivirus software programs available to prevent this. If you have a virus on your system, this is not abuse. If you find that you are being sent virus emails, simply delete them. If you find that you are being sent more than 30 a day from the same sender, this does qualify as abuse. You will need to follow the procedures for reporting abuse.
• Spam is a very large problem that is difficult to combat. You may set up filters in your email program. You may apply a filter to your account on the server (Garnet and Mailer accounts only).