Five Unethical Uses of Computers Essential Question How

Five Unethical Uses of Computers

Essential Question �How can I use a computer unethically? �What are the consequences for using a computer unethically? �Is it wrong to share your music?

�Like a crowbar or hammer, computers are designed to make our lives and jobs easier. �Just like a crowbar or hammer, computers can be used either as constructive tools or destructive weapons. �Unethical computer use is a violation of trust that can: �Damage finances and reputations; or �Lead to serious consequences (e. g. Jail time). �When computers are used in unethical ways, it is people who are harmed.

Identity Theft and Fraud �Identity theft and fraud are: �Characterized by criminal use of the victim's personal information such as a social security number, to assume the victim's identity. �Identity thieves use the stolen personal information to: �Create fake identifications �Obtain credit cards or access other resources and benefits. � The criminals may install malicious software to: �Gain access to the victim's computer files and activity, or �Target commercial and government computer systems to steal the personal information of

Financial Theft or Fraud � Thieves and embezzlers can use computers to: �Steal money from individuals or businesses. � A thief can gain online access to an individual's bank account using: �A victim's stolen password, �PIN, or �Personal information. � Using stolen credit card information, a thief can: � Order goods online and later sell those goods for cash. � An employee with access to business accounting systems may: � Falsify records or manipulate the systems to embezzle funds.

Digital Piracy � The internet is often called �The "information superhighway" because it allows people to find, share, and distribute information quickly and easily using computers. � Not all that information is ethical or legal. � Piracy is considered as: �Distributing and accessing illegal copies of: � Copyright-protected digital books, � Movies, � Music, � Artwork, � Software, and � Other content. � When digital products and works are pirated, the content creators lose money they would have otherwise earned had that work been legally purchased or licensed.

Information Theft � Spies, criminals, and snoops can steal private or classified information by gaining unauthorized access to the victim's computer or inappropriately using computers to which they been given access. �Their goals may be to: � Leak or sell classified government documents, � Use stolen personal information to extort a victim, � Gain an advantage over a competitor, or � Simply pry into the private life of a family member or coworker. � Privacy invasion, spying and information theft may be punishable under a number of laws designed to protect individuals, businesses, or national security. � Employees caught snooping or stealing data may lose their jobs even if their acts were technically legal.

Disruption to Computers or Services �Disrupting a computer or network may involve: �Using malicious software to make a computer unusable, or �Using several computers to block access to a website, network or other resource. �These types of attacks may be done to: �Extort money from the victim, �Make a political statement, or �Force the victim into a specific action. �Sometimes, the attackers commit these acts simply for entertainment.

Individual Practice �Is it wrong to share your music? (discuss)