Computer Ethics and Security
1. What is meant by 'policy vacuum' in computer ethics according to James Moor?
According to James Moor, a policy vacuum arises because computer technology is
evolving rapidly, providing new capabilities and choices for action. This creates a
situation where there are no specific moral codes or policies about how this new
technology should be used.
2. List the four primary ethical and legal issues in computing.
The four primary ethical and legal issues are:
1. Privacy - protection of data about individuals.
2. Accuracy and ensuring its accuracy.
3. Property - identification and protection of rights of the owners of information and
software.
4. Access - control of access to information.
3. Define 'Intellectual Property'.
Intellectual Property (IP) refers to creations of the mind such as designs, concepts,
software, inventions, trade secrets, formulas and brand names, as well as works of art.
It can be protected by copyright, trademark, patent or other legal measures.
4. What is the main purpose of a trademark?
A trademark is a distinctive sign that identifies and distinguishes a product or service
provided by an individual or a company. It helps consumers identify and distinguish one
product or service from another similar one.
5. What does 'Communications Privacy' ensure?
Communications Privacy involves the privacy of an individual's communications
through mediums such as telephone calls, emails, and other forms of personal
correspondence, protecting them from public scrutiny.
6. What is 'Spam'?
Spam is defined as irrelevant or unsolicited messages sent over the internet, typically to
a large number of users, for purposes such as advertising, phishing, or spreading
malware.
7. What is 'software piracy'?
Software piracy refers to the unauthorised copying of software. This includes the illegal
acts of copying software, running pirated software, or transmitting software over a
telecommunications line.
8. Define 'Hacking'.
Hacking is defined as unauthorised access to data held on a computer system. It is
often caused by employees with inside knowledge and its extent is difficult to establish
as it is usually only discovered by accident.
9. What is a 'Virus' in computing?
A virus is an undesirable computer program which causes loss of data by interfering
with computer programs and corrupting them. Viruses are developed with the intention
to damage files or cause inconvenience to users.
10. What is the purpose of a 'firewall'?
A firewall, used together with a proxy server and other hardware and software, is used to
maintain security on an intranet. It controls access to the Internet from within and
access from the outside to the internal network.
11. Explain the importance of Copyright protection.
Copyright protects the creators of works and their heirs and successors by giving them
the exclusive right to use or authorise others to use their work on agreed terms. This
allows creators to reap commercial benefits, which in turn provides an incentive for
human creativity and innovation. The economic rights from copyright are of limited
duration, usually lasting for not less than 50 years after the creator's death.
12. Describe the rights provided by a Patent.
A Patent is an exclusive right that grants the inventor of a product or process the right to
manufacture, use, or sell the product or process for a specified time period, which is 20
years. In exchange, the inventor agrees to public disclosure of the invention. It provides
incentives to holders, encouraging innovations, and any unauthorised use can lead to a
lawsuit for infringement.
13. What are the different aspects of an individual's privacy?
An individual's privacy ensures:
(a) Information Privacy or data protection, which involves rules for handling personal
data.
(b) Bodily Privacy, which protects the physical body from invasive procedures.
(c) Communications Privacy, which involves privacy of telephone calls, emails, etc.
(d) Territorial Privacy, which sets limits on intrusion through searches and surveillance.
14. What are the key principles of data protection laws?
Data protection laws ensure that personal data is:
● obtained fairly and lawfully;
● used and kept only for specified and explicit lawful purposes;
● kept safe and secure;
● kept accurate, complete and up-to-date;
● retained no longer than necessary; and
● made accessible to the individual upon request.
15. Explain how 'malicious code' can affect a computer system.
Malicious code is any code intended to cause undesired effects, security breaches, or
damage to a system. Once inside a computer, it can enter network drives and
propagate. It can cause network overload by sending emails, steal data and passwords,
delete document files, email files, or passwords, and even reformat hard drives, ranging
from irritating tasks to disaster.
16. List and explain any three internal threats to a computer system.
1. Hardware failure: A hard disk crash, for example, can make the contents of a hard
disk unreadable.
2. Faulty procedures: An untrained employee who makes entries into an Accounts
system can cause havoc.
3. Dishonest staff: Computer systems are vulnerable to fraud and theft of data from
inside the organisation.
17. What measures can be taken for the 'Protection of Computer Systems from Illegal
Access'?
Measures include:
1. Physical restrictions: Protecting computer rooms with locked doors accessible
only to authorised personnel.
2. Username and Password: Requiring sign-on with a user-id and a frequently
changed, secure password.
3. Data Access Control: Restricting access to data files only to those who need it,
identified by their user ID.
4. Data Encryption: Scrambling data before transmission so it cannot be read
without decoding.
18. State any three of the 'Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics'.
1. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.
2. Thou shalt not interfere with other people’s computer work.
3. Thou shalt not snoop around in other people’s computer files.
4. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
5. Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid.
19. What are the advantages and disadvantages of social media?
Advantages: Social networking sites allow users to keep in touch with friends and
relatives, send messages, and upload photos and videos. They are a window to different
cultures, improve communication skills, boost creativity, and expose users to diverse
world views.
Disadvantages: They can become an addiction, wasting valuable time. There is a risk of
identity theft and fraud, where personal information can be used by dubious people for
illegal activities.
20. What is the role of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)?
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is an international organisation
dedicated to ensure that the rights of creators and owners of intellectual property are
protected worldwide.
21. What is an 'industrial design' as a form of intellectual property?
An industrial design refers to the ornamental or aesthetic aspects of an article.
Industrial designs are applied to a wide variety of industrial products and handicrafts
like medical instruments, watches, jewellery, and electrical appliances.
22. What is a 'geographical indication'?
A geographical indication is a sign used on goods that have a specific geographical
origin and possess qualities or a reputation due to that place of origin, such as
"Tuscany" for olive oil produced in a specific area of Italy.
23. What does 'Right to Privacy' ensure for an individual?
The Right to Privacy refers to the concept that an individual's personal information is
protected from public scrutiny. The Supreme Court of India recognises privacy as a
Fundamental Right, ensuring protection of personal data from unauthorised access or
use.
24. What is the best way to deal with spam?
The best way to deal with spam is not to open it or reply to it. Email sites provide spam
filters, and reporting spam adds it to a database to improve filtering. One should also be
careful about which websites one enters one's email address.
25. What was the motive behind the lawsuit between Apple Computers and Microsoft
Corporation?
Microsoft Corporation was sued by Apple Computers for copying the 'look and feel' of
their graphical user interface. This was a case related to the protection of intellectual
property and software ideas.
26. What is the role of NASSCOM in combating software piracy?
NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies) is doing a lot to
persuade those trading in pirated copies of software programs to refrain from doing so.
However, its success is limited as fines for piracy are insignificant compared to the
revenue generated.
27. Why are organisations often reluctant to admit their system security has been
breached?
Most organisations are reluctant to admit that their system security procedures have
been breached because it might lead to a loss of confidence on the part of their clients,
which can be more damaging than the breach itself.
28. What are 'internal threats' to a computer system?
Internal threats to a computer system come from within an organisation and include
hardware failure, faulty procedures, natural disasters, negligence of users, and
dishonest staff who may commit fraud or theft of data.
29. What is the significance of the 'Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics'?
These commandments are idealistic, but they form the guidelines for lawmakers as well
as users. They provide a basis for ethical practices for all computer users, encouraging
consideration and respect for fellow humans.
=======================================================================
Short Forms & Full Forms:
IP - Intellectual Property
WIPO - World Intellectual Property Organization
USPO - U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
® - Registered Trademark
™ - Trademark
NASSCOM - National Association of Software and Service Companies
ID - Identification