Because of its constantly changing nature, the area of computer technology is one that is difficult to assign a specific set of moral codes, although it is necessary that ethics be considered when making decisions in this area. Computing creates a whole new set of ethical problems, unique unto itself.
Such problems include:
"…the unauthorized use of hardware, the theft of software, disputed rights to products, the use of computers to commit fraud, the phenomenon of hacking and data theft, sabotage in the form of viruses, responsibility for the reliability of output, making false claims for computers, and the degradation of work.” (Forester 4)
These problems engender a whole new set of ethical questions, including:
"is copying software really a form of stealing”
"are so-called ‘victimless' crimes… more acceptable than crimes with human victims”
"does information on individuals stored in a computer constitute an intolerable invasion of privacy?” (Forester 4 – 5)
These questions demand that ethical principles be applied to their resolution because without the consideration of ethics, these gray areas can easily become completely black.
To begin with, it seems that there are four big areas of computer ethics. They are "(1) computer crime; (2) responsibility for computer failure; (3) protection of computer property, records, and software; and (4) privacy of the company, workers, and customers”. (De George 338) This part of our discussion will focus primarily on computer crime and privacy.
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Such problems include:
"…the unauthorized use of hardware, the theft of software, disputed rights to products, the use of computers to commit fraud, the phenomenon of hacking and data theft, sabotage in the form of viruses, responsibility for the reliability of output, making false claims for computers, and the degradation of work.” (Forester 4)
These problems engender a whole new set of ethical questions, including:
"is copying software really a form of stealing”
"are so-called ‘victimless' crimes… more acceptable than crimes with human victims”
"does information on individuals stored in a computer constitute an intolerable invasion of privacy?” (Forester 4 – 5)
These questions demand that ethical principles be applied to their resolution because without the consideration of ethics, these gray areas can easily become completely black.
To begin with, it seems that there are four big areas of computer ethics. They are "(1) computer crime; (2) responsibility for computer failure; (3) protection of computer property, records, and software; and (4) privacy of the company, workers, and customers”. (De George 338) This part of our discussion will focus primarily on computer crime and privacy.
More Info: comptia a+ certification jobs
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