According to TechTerms, Ethics are the collection of standards of morality that control an individual's or a group's actions. The implementation of moral concepts to the use of computers and the Internet is known as computer ethics. Intellectual property rights, privacy policies, and online etiquette, or "netiquette," are just a few examples.
Digital content is easy to reuse and redistribute thanks to computers. It is, however, ethical to follow copyright guidelines. It is important to recognize and obey the license agreement, or SLA, when using software. Piracy is described as the use of commercial software without paying for a license, and it is a violation of computer ethics. Hacking, or obtaining unauthorized access to a computer device, is another immoral computer practice.
Computers and the Internet are having a growing effect on society as technology progresses. As a result, whenever new technologies are created, computer ethics must be discussed. Artificial intelligence's effect on current employment and human communication is a recent example. As computer ethics is discussed, it helps to ensure that emerging technologies have a positive impact on society.
Prevnts Personal Information Misuse – Computers have brought the world closer together, whether personally or professionally! Most of us think that shopping online is more convenient than going out. We are required to provide personal information such as our name, date of birth, and, most importantly, our ‘credit card information' in order to do so! Would we feel comfortable disclosing all of this knowledge if we knew people didn't practice computer ethics everywhere? On the contrary, if we read their privacy policy and realize that they follow all applicable cyber laws and computer ethics, we can rest assured that our personal data will not be misused.
Prevents Intellectual Property Theft – What is intellectual property, and how does it work? Intellectual property, unlike physical types of property such as a car or a home, refers to property produced by the mind! The internet is made up of a variety of intellectual resources, including the works of numerous scholars, authors, and musicians, among others. Without computer ethics, the work done by one person's intelligence may easily be replicated and plagiarized by anyone else. Consider how we'd feel if our poetry was plagiarized and published under another's name. Do we understand why it's so important to observe computer ethics and privacy policies?
Prevents the loss of a variety of software development jobs – Hundreds of individuals work in corporations that create computer programs and applications all over the world. However, most of us would prefer piracy to paying the price if we discovered a way to obtain this software without having to pay the price, right? Have you ever considered how this could cost these corporations' workers their jobs? Most people who download software illegally believe that these businesses are extremely wealthy and that it will have little effect on them; even if it does, who cares? However, it is important to consider what would happen if the person who had to pay the price was someone close to us. Consider the number of people who are interested in illegal downloads and distribution. In reality, according to a survey, a large number of people would rather not pay for software and instead engage in piracy!
It prevents us from being unethical - It's not as if we need to demonstrate machine ethics to anyone. However, if we practice these ethics, we will know what we need to do in order to be a responsible user and avoid getting into trouble for being unethical. Is there a problem? Yeah, there are numerous laws that can throw us in jail if we are found breaching individual website's privacy policies and norms.
Makes our computer a more pleasant and secure environment to be in – Our computer is more than just a communication system; it is also a data storage device, a photo album, a work recorder, a social network, a calculator, and so on... It is who we are! If we download information or access portals that we are not authorized to, we are opening the door to a slew of problems and threats, such as viruses and Trojans, that can infiltrate our system and cause it to crash! In the other hand, if our system is used as intended, we are creating a safer and healthier environment in which we can be confident that our work and personal information are safe and protected.
The Ten Commandments, or code of computer ethics, tells users not to annoy other users, use computers to spy on them, or use computers to gain access to private information. It's a branch of practical theory concerned with how computer professionals can make professional and social decisions. Ethics prohibits the unrestricted use of intellectual property without compensation or permission, as well as the unrestricted use of computational resources. The ethics often demand that computers be used in a considerate and respectful manner.
Computer ethics, on the other hand, cannot be forced on us; rather, we must choose to obey them out of our own free will and desire. The way we use computers to access knowledge says a lot about who we are and what we value ethically. What would we do if we discovered the password to a colleague's account? Should we ask him or her to alter it now that we've discovered it by mistake, or would we try to obtain information that we aren't supposed to have? In this country, there are two types of people: those who obey the rules while still respecting them, and those who don't really care. Can we be concerned with the ethics of being a responsible citizen?
The 10 Commandments of Computer Ethics
You shall not use a computer to harm other people
It is not a good idea to program a machine to harm people in some way. To program a robot to destroy humanity, create viruses, or create weapons of mass destruction, for example. This means that machines cannot be used as an excuse to harm people. The programmer is in control of his programs' behavior.
You shall not interfere with other people’s computer work.
The use of technology is a privilege that everybody has. Similarly, developing a computer virus is unethical since it wastes people's time and resources thus potentially destroying valuable property.
You shall not snoop around in other people’s computer files.
It is against the law to open and read someone's actual physical mail, as well as to snoop on network connections and read someone's messages, passwords, files, databases, and other personal information.
You shall not use a computer to steal
Scamming is the same with stealing and this past few days or years scam is very familiar to everyone. Don’t you ever steal anything from other people using a computer or not because you don’t know where the things you steal will be use.
You shall not use a computer to bear false witness.
This commandment forbids the use of a computer to fabricate information. For example, using photoshop to create an innocent man appear guilty. “Don't believe anything you see on the Internet,” is maybe a second equally significant commandment. Half-truths, exaggerations, lies, and myths are widely disseminated on the Internet, much as they are in conventional media.
You shall not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid.
Consider how difficult it is to produce quality software. Consider the number of people and the associated costs. You may either purchase a license or look for an open-source option. Using pirated software is not only illegal, but it can also be harmful due to secret malware.
You shall not use other people’s computer resources without authorization or proper compensation.
Avoid hacking other people’s computer resources. Learn to ask for permission and learn to accept if they don’t want to give you, their permission.
You shall not appropriate other people’s intellectual output.
In most nations, it is illegal and unethical to copy text or photographs from another website and publish them on your own. What is the reason for this? You are causing irreparable harm to the content maker. Why don't you "have a life" and make your own original content? In the long run, making new things rather than stealing from others would make you much happier.
You shall think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are designing.
Do you write software that aids in the theft, murder, spying, gambling, or dissemination of pornography? Please consider why you are doing this. Is there any way you should put your IT skills to good use? Isn't it true that the society would be a better place if everyone chose to indulge in constructive action rather than destructive behavior? Consider this.
You shall always use a computer in ways that ensure consideration and respect for your fellow humans.
Things you do online can have real consequences in your offline life. “Having two identities for yourself is an indication of a lack of credibility," said Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook.
