Students and faculty in the school who are using the Internet are required to sign a user agreement with the school. The agreements vary by college and university, but usually give information about restricted use of the Internet. For example, students cannot go to websites for illegal downloading of media through the school's Internet. Other restrictions common to college agreements include restrictions on obscene or threatening materials, advertising a product and political lobbying. Colleges often prefer Internet use to relate solely to college or study purposes.
Colleges monitor Internet usage primarily through software on the network. The software is designed to either prevent access to websites or to flag inappropriate or illegal websites used by the computer. Blocked websites are often the websites which are known as obscene, profane or otherwise inappropriate for school use. Flagged websites are usually those websites which are unknown as inappropriate, but which might have inappropriate or offensive materials. If a computer goes to a website which is flagged, the user must allow access to the computer if requested by the college. Consequences vary depending on the flagged website, the reason for accessing the website and whether there is illegal activity or not.
Most colleges reserve the right to look at any computer using the school's Internet and note that there is no expected privacy with regard to Internet usage. The colleges are responsible to ensure there are no illegal activities taking place over the school's network, so the school is legally allowed to look at any computer which is suspected or flagged for inappropriate usage.
Schools clearly lay out what is inappropriate and what the consequences are for breaking the rules. In most colleges, the loss of Internet privileges is a potential consequence. In the case of inappropriate comments, false statements against others or defamatory statements, a civil lawsuit might be filed against the offender by the individual who is harmed. Criminal or illegal activities conducted online can result in criminal charges as appropriate for the crime. Employees who engage in illegal or inappropriate Internet activities can potentially lose their job.