Invasion Of Privacy Computer Virus Internet Essay

, Research Paper

The information age is the age we live in today, and with the information age comes an age of ethics. When we deal with the new technologies introduced every day, we need to decide what we must consider ethical and unethical. We must consider all factors so that the use of the information readily available to many persons is not abused. “Information technology will be the most fundamental area of ethical concern for business in the next decade.” (Ermann)

The most widely used tool of the information age is the computer, whether it is a PC or a network of computer systems. As we enter the information age, the newness and power of information technology’s tests the ethics of the average person, not just the criminal and cause thousands of computer crimes to be committed daily.

Problems associated with the information age

Invasion of

privacy Computer

virus Internet

scamming Junk

E-mails Minors

viewing

pornography Fraud

Accounts

Illegal Downloading Hacking

Cyber chat

The most common computer crime committed daily, some aware and many not, is the

illegal sharing of computer software. Software is any of the programs used in operating a digital

computer, as input and output programs, as defined by Funk and Wagnalls Standard Desk

Dictionary. When we purchase computer software, we purchase it with the understanding that it

will be for use on a single computer, once installed on that system, it is not to be loaded on any

other computer. However many people are not aware of this understanding, and many load a

program on a couple of computers or on a whole network of computer systems not aware that

they are committing a crime. Even though you probably will not be prosecuted for loading a

program on a friends computer, this is where your ethics come in.

Do you consider anything when you share a program with others. If not then consider the

programmers of the software who are denied compensation for their developments every time you

distribute a piece of software. “Why is it that people who wouldn’t think of stealing pack of gum

will copy a $500 piece of software”. (Parker)

A popular form off illegal software distribution is throughout the online world. Whether it

be the Internet, America Online, CompuServe, Prodigy, or a BBS (Bulletin Board System),

software “pirates” thrive freely online. These so called “pirates” operate by uploading pieces

of software, commonly referred to as “warez”, into an online service’s database then sending

through e-mail the rights to download them. “The Information Superhighway has opened the door

to a new kind of highway robbery – the home shoplifting network” .

When you access a online service, you are identified through an account which most commonly

consists of a user ID and password. The password is so you only can access the online service

with your user ID. Many people online use their own accounts to access their service, but many

steal and use the accounts of others or make fake accounts. When online, these account “pirates”

many times trick other users into giving their passwords to them by impersonating an employee of

the online service. Others can hack into the online services mainframe computer and steal

thousands of accounts. (Biemiller)

Probably the most common method of getting online without paying is the use of fake or

fraudulent accounts. These are made by giving false information when attempting to gain access to

an online service. Name, address, phone number, and billing information, such as checking

account or credit card number, are all falsified in obtaining an online account. With these stolen

and fake accounts, software “pirates” have virtually unlimited time to download their “warez”

without any charge to them. Many people don’t consider the people behind the creation of

software when they illegally distribute it. (Rochlin)

The developers of software are not properly compensated for their work because

of the extent of software piracy. No one can argue with a software company’s desire, and right, to

make sure everyone using their products has paid for it.

The numbers add up, it is estimated that in 1994 alone that software companies

lost $15 billion from illegal software copying. It is not only illegal, but clearly unethical to

distribute software knowing that the people behind the software are experiencing the downfalls of

it.

Every time software companies cannot compensate their programmers for their work, more

people are out of a job. Consider this, you enter a store and purchase an item, during this

transaction you give your name and phone number. The person you have given this information to

then enters it into a computerized database. After this person has collected a sufficient amount of

names, they then sell it to a telemarketing firm for a profit. This action is legal, but is it ethical.

Do you want your name sold without your consent. Most people do

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