Ethics

Exploring the ethics of computing, focusing on topics like privacy, copyright, society and more.

Phishing

Phishing is a term used to describe a harmful individual, or group of individuals, that cheats users by sending emails or creating web pages that are intended to collect an individual’s online bank, credit card, or other login information. The emails and web pages look official, which is why users trust them and voluntarily part with their personal information. Phishing …

Read more

Free Software, Freeware, Shareware

Free Software Free software is software that gives the user freedom to execute, reproduce, distribute, study, modify and enhance the software.  To be specific, free software is a matter of freedom, and not of price. It means a user can freely utilise, change, and distribute a program, with one condition. The condition is that any …

Read more

Copyright and Plagiarism

Copyright Infringement Copyright infringement only occurs when the elemental work in question is copyrighted.  While copyright is automatic, it doesn’t apply to every single thing we make.  There are a number of things that you cannot copyright.  Things like lists, useful items, choreographic works (unless they have been recorded), fashion and ideas are all examples …

Read more

Computer Misuse Act 1990

The Computer Misuse Act 1990 (CMA) The Computer Misuse Act (CMA) is a law that was passed in the UK in 1990.  The CMA was intended to craft regulations and exercise authority over computer misconduct and internet deception. The law was enacted in order to: Criminalise unofficial access to computer systems Dissuade dangerous criminals from …

Read more

Hacking and Malware

Understanding Hacking and Malware: Hacking Hacking is an endeavor to abuse a computer system or a private network in a computer.  It is illegal to access or to take control over computer network security systems for some dishonest purpose. Hackers Hackers are intelligent people and highly skilled in computers.  It requires more intelligence and expertise …

Read more

Computer Ethics

What are 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 …

Read more