Unix® System Management Primer Plus

Acceptable Usage Policies

Many agreements prohibit the inappropriate use of resources, but the word “inappropriate” can have vastly different meanings in different organizations and even on different systems within the same organization. An acceptable usage policy (AUP) defines what activities are appropriate—and, in some cases, inappropriate—for a particular service. An acceptable usage policy (also known as an appropriate usage policy or conditions of use) also details actions the organization can take against users who violate the policy.

Organizations with network services, including large national banks and local ISPs, need acceptable usage policies. This need exists whether the organization's network services are publicly available or limited ...