computer eathics

Ethics is a set of moral principles that govern the behavior of an individual or group of people. Computer ethics is the application of moral principles to the use of computers and the Internet. Examples include intellectual property rights, privacy policies, and online etiquette, or "netiquette". Computers make it easy to duplicate and redistribute digital content. However, it is ethical to respect copyright guidelines. When using software, it is important to understand and follow the license agreement, or SLA. Using commercial software without paying for a license is considered piracy and is a violation of computer ethics. Hacking, or gaining unauthorized access to a computer system, is also an unethical way to use computers.As technology advances, computers and the Internet have an increasing impact on society. Therefore, computer ethics must be part of the discussion whenever creating new technologies. A modern example is how artificial intelligence affects existing jobs and human communication. When computer ethics is part of the conversation, it helps ensure new technologies positively affect society. Computer crime is intellectual, white-collar crime. Those that commit such crimes must be intelligent enough to manipulate a computer system and in such a position to access it in the first place. One example of computer crime is stealing funds via computer(s). Often the worst that can happen to such a thief is that he/she is merely required to return the stolen money. Many times that person will be fired, assuming he/she is an employee, but may be quickly hired by a competitor because of his/her skill. This creates practically no deterrent to committing computer theft because legal action is not often taken against the perpetrator. Another example is unauthorized computer entry. In entering a computer unauthorized, the perpetrator can steal a company's trade secrets and data. Such a crime could be committed by an employee aiming to sell such secrets to a competitor or by an outside source wanting to steal such secrets to promote his/her own well-being. This crime involves both an invasion of property and privacy and also compromises the computer system itself. This crime goes along with the idea of hacking. Hacking is defined as "any computer-related activity which is not sanctioned or approved of by an employer or owner of a system or network” (Forester 44). Such an activity deals with the ethical dilemma of who actually owns information and who should have access to that information. At many universities, computer science professors have their students hack into the university's system to prove their skill and knowledge of computer systems.