Watch where you step: Software and government computers Published Jan. 18, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Darius Harper 20th Communication Squadron SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Every day, many service members expose the military to potential fines and make its network vulnerable. How? There are many ways. A few common mistakes include: Not reading the "Terms and Conditions" before agreeing to them; Not ensuring the software is legal, that is, authorized and documented; Making unauthorized copies of programs; Using shareware, freeware or personal software not authorized by Air Combat Command. It is potentially hazardous, when installing new software, to automatically check the "I accept" box and then click next to "Continue" without a thought. Before clicking next, please verify with your USLM that the software is both legal and authorized. Software is legal only when it is bought by the service and users keep the documentation. By now, every unit should have a USLM who applies this program. Only after the base software license manager has granted approval, and the wing information assurance site certification checklist has been satisfied, is software legal. Every time you install software, its manufacturer requires you to agree to terms and conditions. How many people actually read the fine print before agreeing to them? These vary from vendor to vendor, but typically include clauses that forbid making anything other than a single backup of the program or installing it on more than the number of computers that you purchased licenses for. Most vendors require you to register the software, too. For products installed on Air Force computers, registration is mandatory. Besides the restrictions imposed by the vendor, the government and the Air Force have rules to follow. The U.S. copyright law applies to software and provides that you can make only one back-up copy of software. This is where the fine applies. For every instance of illegal or bootleg software, the Air Force and or users could be fined up to $250,000. Shareware, freeware or personal software can also mean trouble. This is the difference between what is legal and what is authorized: The Air Force instruction which covers software states that shareware, freeware, and personal software are not authorized on government computers. Only software listed on the Air Combat Command enterprise product list is authorized on base computers. The ACC staff confirms that the software on the list will not negatively impact the network. Also, all military users are required to receive training annually from their USLM. Shaw has a checklist you must comply with before installing any commercial, off-the-shelf software. For information on software installation, check with your USLM or the client service center.