Information Technology INT1001

Lecture 11
Ethical, Legal & Social
Issues in IT
1
 Computers Are Your Future
Tenth Edition

Chapter 1: Computers & You

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Ethics

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 Computer Ethics
for Computer Users
 An ethical principle is the justification
used to determine whether a rule or act
is morally right or wrong.
 Computer ethics take basic ethical
principles and apply them to daily
computer use.

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 Computer Ethics
for Computer Users
 An act is considered ethical if:
 Society would benefit if everyone acted in
the same manner.
 It treats people as an end rather than a
means to an end.
 Impartial observers would rate it as fair to
all concerned parties.

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 Computers, Society, & You

 Computer ethics involve moral

dilemmas relating to computer usage.
 Unethical behavior includes sending
viruses, stealing credit card
information, computer stalking, and
installing illegitimate copies of software
on computers.

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 Computer Ethics
for Computer Users
 The acceptable-
use policy is a set
of rules to be
followed when using
computers at school
or a place of
business.

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 Computer Ethics
for Computer Users
 Rules for using school or business
computers:
 Respect yourself
 Never give account passwords to others
 Never use the Internet in a manner that may
reflect badly on you
 Respect others
 Share computer resources
 Act professionally

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 Computer Ethics
for Computer Users
 Rules for using school or business
computers (continued):
 Respect academic integrity
 Cite text copied from the Internet
 Obtain permission to use pictures from the
Internet
 Refrain from misusing software

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 Computer Ethics
for Computer Users
 Ten Commandments for Computer
Ethics—Background
 Developed by the Computer Ethics
Institute of the Brookings Institution
 Applicable for computer programmers,
system designers, and all computer users

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 Computer Ethics
for Computer Users
 The Ten Commandments include:
 Not using computers to hurt or interfere
with computer work of others
 Not looking at others’ files or using the
computer to steal from or lie about others
 Not using or copying proprietary software
that was not purchased by the user
 Not using others’ computer resources or
intellectual property without authorization
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 Computer Ethics
for Computer Users
 Netiquette
 A series of guidelines to be followed when
using the Internet
 Results in a more respectful environment
 Use with discussion forums and e-mail and
instant messages

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Computer Ethics
for Computer Users
 While psychologists
do not agree
regarding the effects
of playing violent
computer video
games, the fact is
that computer video
games are becoming
more violent.

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 Computer Ethics
for Organizations
 Although common, employees should
not conduct personal business on their
computers while at work.
 Businesses and organizations have an
obligation to protect their data from
being lost or damaged and from
inaccuracies and misuse.

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 Computer Ethics
for Computer Professionals
 Professionals should follow a code
of professional ethics.
 Many professional groups develop
codes of conduct for their
members to follow.

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 Computer Ethics
for Computer Professionals
 The most important goals at the heart
of each code of ethics for computer
professionals should be to ensure that
human life is protected and to
safeguard others from harm or injury.

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 It’s Not Just Unethical,
It’s Illegal Too
 Plagiarism
 Is the use of another’s ideas, writings, or
intellectual property without his or her
permission
 Is unethical and illegal
 Has existed for a long time
 Is now easier, and therefore more
tempting, because of the Internet

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 It’s Not Just Unethical,
It’s Illegal Too
 Copyright infringement occurs when
copyrighted material is plagiarized.
 The fair use doctrine allows limited use
of copyrighted material for research,
education, and commentary.
 Use brief selection
 May not compromise the commercial value
of the original work
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 It’s Not Just Unethical,
It’s Illegal Too
 Libel
 The publication of untrue assertions about a
person or entity that results in injury to the
person or entity.
 Ease of computer use makes it ripe for libel.
 Posting a document on the Internet is
publishing it.
 Ensure that anything you publish is true.

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 It’s Not Just Unethical,
It’s Illegal Too
 Software piracy: Copying or
distributing copyrighted software.
 Users purchase a software license.
 The license grants that user the right to
back up and install the software.
 Software may only be used on one
machine at a time.
 Making copies for others is illegal.

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 It’s Not Just Unethical,
It’s Illegal Too
 Public domain software
 Free to users
 May be copied and modified without any
legal repercussions
 Shareware
 Users may use freely during a trial period.
 Users must buy the software to continue
use.
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 It’s Not Just Unethical,
It’s Illegal Too
 General Public License (GPL)
 Under the auspices of the Free Software
Foundation
 Users may copy, use, and modify freely as
long as software
 Site license: A contract that permits
an entity to install software on multiple
computers at a reduced cost.
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 It’s Not Just Unethical,
It’s Illegal Too
 Sharing copyrighted files is illegal.
 Includes music and movies
 May result in fines or jail terms
 Does not matter whether user is
downloading the copyrighted files for his or
her own use or uploading the files to share
with others

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 Computers, Society, & You

 Computers provide disabled and

disadvantaged people with added
support and opportunities.
 E-learning, through the use of
computers, allows students to learn
without requiring them to be at a
specific location at a specific time.

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 Computers, Society, & You

 Being a responsible computer user

starts with understanding how one’s
manner of computer use affects others.
 Be aware of e-waste and the proper
disposal of outdated computer
hardware.

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 Computers, Society, & You
 When using computer hardware:
 Do not plug too many devices into electrical
outlets.
 Use surge protectors.
 Place hardware where it can’t fall or be
damaged.
 Provide adequate space for air circulation
around hardware.
 Securely fasten computer cables, cords,
and wires.
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 Computers, Society, & You

 Stay informed about advances in

computer technology.
 Upgrading software will ensure that
users have the latest software features.
 Staying informed can help users protect
themselves from computer viruses.

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Computers, Society, & You
 Ergonomics
 Computer-related Repetitive Stress Injury
 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
 Tendonitis
 Computer Vision Syndrome
 Computer Addiction
 Green Computing

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 What You’ve Learned

 A computer is a device that can

perform the information-processing
cycle: input, processing, output, and
storage.
 A computer system is made up of
hardware and software.

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 What You’ve Learned

 Some form of risk exists when using

computer hardware and software.
 Computers can be misused or used as a
benefit. Computer ethics guide how a
computer should be used.
 Computers are causing a shift in
employment, creating new job
opportunities at the same time.
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 What You’ve Learned

 Computer users should be responsible

and concerned about the effects of
their computer actions on others and
the environment.

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