Guideline:

Effective:

INTERNET USE GUIDELINE

July 15, 2003

Gilpin County owns and maintains a number of computers that allow users to access the Internet through any of several Internet Service Providers and encourages authorized users to use the Internet for legitimate business purposes such as research, purchasing and ernail. Gilpin County desires to ensure proper use of its computers and compliance with all applicable laws, and to ensure a healthy environment for all employees and visitors. To accomplish this, Gilpin County has adopted the following Internet Use Policy:

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Any person who logs on to or uses County computers acknowledges that the computers belong to the County and that there is no expectation of privacy. Computers are to be used for business purposes only. Gilpin County is aware that people can use the Internet to access web sites dealing with racism, pornography, terrorism, and similar controversial subjects, but the use of county computers for such purposes is strictly prohibited. The County recognizes that innocent searches may sometimes produce offensive results, and such innocent cases will not result in discipline or termination of computer privileges. Repeated incidences of that nature, however, may be evidence of improper use. If an employee wants to browse web sites that may be offensive to another person or cause embarrassment to the County, no matter how remote that possibility might be, the employee IS NOT to use County computers. If an employee wants to send or forward email to another recipient, he is not to do it if there is the slightest possibility that any recipient may be offended. If the employee is in doubt, he should ask a supervisor or do not do it. Photos, drawings, animations, and similar depictions of unclothed male or female sex organs (including female breasts), or of people engaging in sexual intercourse are strictly prohibited. If an employee is to use County computers to access the Internet and as a direct and avoidable result of that use any equipment or software is damaged in any way, the employee will be held responsible. This does not include infection with viruses unless the employee deliberately disables the County virus protection software or opens an attachment that he knows to contain a new virus. DO NOT open attachments from unknown senders. The activities of any user on the Internet can and will be tracked if circumstances require it without further notice to the user. Violations of any aspect of this policy may result in discipline and/or loss of computer privileges.

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Gilpin County Personnel Policies and Guidelines

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