Computer Ethics II
Computer Science J.S.S 2 Second Term
Sub-theme: Basic Computer Operation and Concept
Week 2
Computer Ethics II
Performance Objective
Student should be able to:
- Identify ways of misusing the computer and internet
Content
Abuse/Misuse of Computer
These include, but are not limited to, such acts as unauthorized copying of software, tampering with others’ accounts, wasting or damaging computer resources, breaking system security, degrading computer system performance, creating or posting of material that is offensive, pornographic, libellous, or intended to harass.
Types of Computer Misuse
Misuse of computers and communications systems comes in several forms:
Hacking: Hacking is where an unauthorized person uses a network, internet or modem connection to gain access to past security passwords or other security to see data stored on another computer. Hackers sometimes use software hacking tools and often targeted, for example, particular sites on the internet.
Data Misuse and Unauthorized Transfer or Copying and Illegal Transfer of Data: is very quick and easy using online computers and large storage devices such as hard disks, memory sticks and DVDs. Personal data, company research and written work, such as novels and textbooks, cannot be copied without the copyright holder's permission.
Piracy: This includes copying music and movies with computer equipment and distributing it on the internet without the copyright holder's permission. This is a widespread misuse of both computers and the internet that breaks copyright regulations.
Email and Chat Room Abuses: Internet services such as chat rooms and email have been the subject of many well-publicized cases of impersonation and deception where people who are online pretending to have a different identity. Chat rooms have been used to spread rumours about well-known personalities. A growing area of abuse of the internet is email spam, where millions of emails are sent to advertise both legal and illegal products and services.
Pornography: A lot of indecent material and pornography is available through the internet and can be stored in electronic form. There have been several cases of material, which is classified as illegal, or which shows illegal acts, being found stored on computers followed by prosecutions for possession of the materials.
Identity and financial Abuses: it includes misuse of stolen or fictional credit card numbers to obtain goods or services on the internet, and use of computers in financial frauds. These can range from complex well thought out deceptions to simple uses such as printing counterfeit money with colour printers.
Viruses: are relatively simple programs written by people and designed to cause nuisance or damage to computers or their files.
Phishing: is a way that an abuser may use a text message or an email that looks real or legitimate to trick or scam you into providing your personal information. The abuser could then go on to use your personal information to steal your identity, monitor you, or blackmail you.
Spyware is software that allows someone to secretly monitor/observe your computer activity. The software can be inappropriately installed on computers and on other devices, such as tablets and smartphones. Spyware can be installed without your knowledge by either gaining physical access to your device or sending attachments that will download the software onto your device when you click on a link or download the attachment. Spyware is typically a “ghost file,” which means it runs hidden on your computer and can be difficult to notice or remove. Once spyware is installed, an abuser can see and record what you type, the websites that you visit, your passwords, and other private information. Many states have laws that specifically prohibit installing spyware on a computer without the owner’s knowledge. If your state doesn’t have a law that addresses spyware, you may check the other computer-related crimes to find out if the abuser’s actions are a crime.
IDENTITY THEFT: Identity theft is the crime of obtaining the personal or financial information of another person with the purpose of misusing that person’s identity. An abuser could use your identity to destroy your credit score, attempt to make you lose your job, obtain public benefits in your name, or subject you to criminal consequences for his/her actions. Many times, abusers use information that they already have available such as a Social Security number, name and date of birth, and residential history in order to steal an identity. However, even if an abuser only has some of the above information, s/he could still commit identify theft by gaining information by using another computer crime such as hacking, spyware, or phishing.