COMPUTER ETHICS

ETHICS IN GENERAL

A guideline is needed to stop the current technology products from being exploited for example replicating original CD and selling them as pirated software, this unethical behavior can be controlled by the code of conducts. Unethical refers to any code of conducts that are not conforming to approved standards of social or professional behavior.Computer ethics is a system of moral standards or values used as a guideline for computer users.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF COMPUTER ETHICS

The United States Institute of Computer Ethics has come out with the Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics. These principles consider the effective code of conducts for the proper use of information technology. The Ten commandments of computer ethics are :

1. You shall not use a computer to harm other people.
2. You shall not interfere with other people's computer work.
3. You shall not snoop around in other people's computer files.
4. You shall not use a computer to steal.
5. You shall not use a computer to bear false witness.
6. You shall not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid.
7. You shall not use other people's computer resources without authorization or proper compensation.
8. You shall not appropriate other people's intellectual output.
9. You shall think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are designing.
10. You shall always use a computer in ways that ensure consideration and respect for your fellow humans.

GUIDELINES ON THE E-MAIL AND INTERNET USAGE

Some guidelines from the Department of Public Services of Malaysia:

1. use only individual e-mail address to forward individual opinion
2. keep the identity name and password a secret to avoid the misuse of your e-mail without your knowledge
3. e-mail must be active to promptly reply the necessary actions needed for any matters
4. ensure the total mail kept in the box is within the computer storage capacity
5. scan files regularly to avoid the transmission of virus from one computer to another
6. do not send e-mails that contain classified information which can be used to tarnish other people or country
7. choose a suitable time to search the Internet to save access time and cost
8. beware of prohibited sites which could affect one's moral, organization or nation
9. print only relevant documents that you think can be used in future to save cost

UNETHICAL COMPUTER CODE OF CONDUCTS

With the advancement of ICT, it is easy for anyone to retrieve your information from the Internet. You may not realize that when you fill a form on the Internet, your information may be exposed and stolen. Examples of unethical computer code of conducts include:

1. modifying certain information on the Internet, affecting the accuracy of the information
2. selling information to other parties without the owner’s permission
3. using information without authorization
4. involvement in stealing software
5. invasion of privacy

Intellectual property refers to any product of human intellect that is unique and has value in the market place. This covers ideas, inventions, unique name, computer program codes and many more.

ETHICAL COMPUTER CODE OF CONDUCTS

Examples of ethical computer code of conducts include:

1. sending warning about viruses to other computer users
2. asking permission before sending any business advertisements to others
3. using information with authorization

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THE IMPACT OF ICT ON SOCIETY

FASTER COMMUNICATION SPEED

In the past, it took a long time for any news or messages to be send. Now with the Internet, news or messages are sent via e-mail to friends, business partners or to anyone efficiently. With the capability of bandwidth, broadband and connection speed on the Internet, any information can travel fast and at an instant. It saves time and is inexpensive.

LOWER COMMUNICATION COST

Using the Internet is cost-effective than the other modes of communication such as telephone, mailing or courier service. It allows people to have access to large amounts of data at a very low cost. With the Internet we do not have to pay for any basic services provided by the Internet. Furthermore, the cost of connection to the Internet is relatively cheap.

RELIABLE MODE OF COMMUNICATION

Computers are reliable. With the internet, information could be accessed and retrieved from anywhere and at anytime. This makes it a reliable mode of communication. However, the input to the computer is contributed by humans. If the data passed to the computer is faulty, the result will be faulty as well. This is related to the term GIGO.

GIGO is a short form for Garbage In Garbage Out. It refers to the quality of output produced according to the input. Normally bad input produces bad output.

EFFECTIVE SHARING OF INFORMATION

With the advancement of ICT, information can be shared by people all around the world. People can share and exchange opinions, news and information through discussion groups, mailing list and forums on the Internet. This enable knowledge sharing which will contribute to the development of knowledge based society.

PAPERLESS ENVIRONMENT

ICT technology has created the term paperless environment. This term means information can be stored and retrieved through the digital medium instead of paper. Online communication via emails, online chat and instant messaging also helps in creating the paperless environment.

BORDERLESS COMMUNICATION

Internet offers fast information retrieval, interactivity, accessibility and versatility. It has become a borderless sources for services and information. Through the Internet, information and communication can be borderless.

SOCIAL PROBLEMS

There are some negative effects of ICT. It has created social problems in the society. Nowadays, people tend to choose online communication rather than having real time conversations. People tend to become more individualistic and introvert.

Another negative effect of ICT is :

• fraud

• identity theft

• Pornography

• Hacking

This will result a moral decedent and generate threads to the society.

HEALTH PROBLEMS

A computer may harm users if they use it for long hours frequently. Computer users are also exposed to bad posture, eyestrain, physical and mental stress. In order to solve the health problems, an ergonomic environment can be introduced. For example, an ergonomic chair can reduces back strain and a screen filter is used to minimize eye strain.

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COMPUTERISED AND NON-COMPUTERISED SYSTEMS

COMPUTER SYSTEM

1. A system is an arrangement of elements that when it is put together it becomes an organized and established procedure. A system typically consists of components connected together in order to facilitate the flow of information, matter or energy.
2. A computer system consists of a set of hardware and software which processes data in a meaningful way.

EDUCATION
• education is the science of teaching and learning of specific skills
• it also imparts knowledge, good judgment and wisdom

BANKING SYSTEM

BANKING BEFORE ICT
• banking was done manually by taking deposits directly
• transactions can only be made during working hours
• takes time to approve any loan applications
BANKING WITH ICT
• all transactions are done by computers
• transaction can be done at anytime and place
• online services, phone banking system, credit cards are available

INDUSTRY

INDUSTRY BEFORE ICT
Production was slow because everything was done manually and totally depended on human labor.

INDUSTRY WITH ICT
Computers and telecommunications industry became very popular and profitable since production can be increased through an all day operation

COMMERCE
Commerce is an activity of exchanging, buying and selling of commodities on a large scale involving transportation from place to place

COMMERCE BEFORE ICT
• Trading was made using the barter system and it was then later developed into currency.
• Advertisement was in the form of word of mouth, billboards and printed flyers.
• Trading globally was extremely slow, late and expensive. Traders had to find ways to market local products in the global market

COMMERCE WITH ICT
E-commerce plays an important role in the economic scene. It includes distribution, buying, selling and servicing products that are done electronically.

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