COMPUTER

ETHICS

Engr. Ahmad Sheraz Cheema

Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Ethics
Ethics are a structure of standards
and practices that influence how
people lead their lives.
It is not strictly implemented to
follow these ethics, but it is
basically for the benefit of
everyone that we do.
Ethics are unlike laws that legally
mandate what is right or wrong.
Ethics illustrate society’s views
about what is right and what is
wrong.
Compute
r
Compute
r
Computers are often far more efficient than humans
in performing many tasks.

In the industrialized world many workers already

have been replaced by computerized devices -- bank
tellers, auto workers, telephone operators, typists,
graphic artists, security guards, assembly-line
workers, and on and on.

Even professionals like medical doctors, lawyers,

teachers, accountants and psychologists are finding
that computers can perform many of their traditional
professional duties quite effectively.
Computer
Ethics
Computer ethics are a set of moral
standards that govern the use of
computers.

It is society’s views about the use

of computers, both hardware and
software.

Privacy concerns, intellectual

property rights and effects on the
society are some of the common
issues of computer ethics.
Computer
Ethics
Computer ethics is a new branch of ethics that is
growing and changing rapidly as computer
technology also grows and develops.
Why do we need computer ethics?

The growth of the WWW has created several novel

legal issues

The existence of new questions that older laws

cannot answer

Traditional laws are outdated/anachronistic in this

world

A more coherent body of law is needed to govern

Internet and computers
Privacy Concerns
Hacking – is unlawful intrusion into a computer or
a network.
A hacker can intrude through the security levels of a
computer system or network and can acquire
unauthorised access to other computers.
Malware – means malicious software which is
created to impair a computer system.
Common malware are viruses, spyware, worms and
trojan horses. A virus can delete files from a hard
drive while a spyware can collect data from a
computer.
Data Protection
Also known as information privacy or data
privacy is the process of safeguarding data which
intends to influence a balance between individual
privacy rights while still authorising data to be
used for business
purposes.

Anonymity
is a way of keeping a user’s identity masked
Intellectual Property
Rights
Copyright
is a form of intellectual property that gives
proprietary publication, distribution and usage rights
for the author. This means that whatever idea the
author created cannot be employed or disseminated
by anyone else without the permission of the author.

Plagiarism

is an act of copying and publishing another person’s

work without proper citation.
It’s like stealing someone else’s work and releasing it
as your own work.
Cracking
is a way of breaking into a system by getting past
the security features of the system.
It’s a way of skipping the registration and
authentication steps when installing a software.

Software License
allows the use of digital material by following
the license agreement.
Ownership remains with the original copyright
owner, users are just granted licenses to use the
Code of Ethics
Information stored on the computer should be treated as
seriously as written or spoken word.

Privacy should not be violated. In case of academic use, it is

known plagiarism.
Code of Ethics
Information from public viewing should not be modified or
deleted or inaccessible since these are considered as
destructive acts.

Intrusive software such as "worms" and "viruses" which are

destructive to the computer system is also illegal.

Congesting somebody’s system with a lot of unwanted

information is also unethical.

Sending obscene and crude messages through mail or chat

is also forbidden.

Sending sexually explicit content, message or pictures is

also forbidden.
Effects on Society
Jobs

Some jobs have been abolished while some jobs have

become simpler as computers have taken over companies
and businesses.
Things can now be done in just one click whereas before
it takes multiple steps to perform a task.
This change may be considered unethical as it limits the
skills of the employees.
There are also ethical concerns on health and safety of
employees getting sick from constant sitting, staring at
computer screens and typing on the keyboard or clicking
on the mouse.
Environmental Impact

Environment has been affected by computers and the

internet since so much time spent using computers
increases energy usage which in turn increases the
emission of greenhouse gases.

There are ways where we can save energy like limiting

computer time and turning off the computer or putting
on sleep mode when not in use.

Buying energy efficient computers with Energy Star

label can also help save the environment.
Social Impact
Computers and the internet help people stay in touch with family
and friends. Social media has been very popular nowadays.

Computer gaming influenced society both positively and

negatively. Positive effects are improved hand-eye
coordination, stress relief and improved strategic thinking.

Negative effects are addiction of gamers, isolation from the

real world and exposure to violence.

Computer technology helps the government in improving

services to its citizens.

Advanced database can hold huge data being collected and

analysed by the government.
Ethical Rules for Computer Users
Do not use computer to harm other users.
Do not use computers to steal other's information.
Do not access files without the permission of owner.
Do not copy copyrighted softwares without the authors
permission.
Always respect copyright laws and policies.
Respect the privacy of others, just as you expect the
same from others.
Do not use other user's computer resources with out
their permission.
Complain about illegal communication and activities,
if found, to Internet service
Ethical Rules for Computer Users
•Providers and local law enforcement authorities.
•Users are responsible for safeguarding their User Id
and passwords.
•They should not write them on paper or anywhere
else for remembrance.
•Users should not intentionally use the computers to
retrieve or modify the information of others which
may include password information, files etc.