1.5 Ethics

Question 1

What is the difference between ethics and law?

Answer 1

• *Ethics**: are social guidelines based on moral values (right and wrong), professional bodies often have guidelines - e.g. British Computer Society.
• *Law**: rules and regulations that govern the whole of society - e.g. The Computer Misuse Act 1990.

Question 2

What is computer ethics?

Answer 2

Set of principles to regulate the use of computers

Question 3

Why are computer ethics important?

Answer 3

• The use of computers needs to be governed.
• Provides rules for using computers.
• Helps keep users safe when using computers.
• Helps stop the misuse of computers.
• Helps stop intellectual property theft.
• Helps prevent the misuse of personal information.

Question 4

What is plagiarism?

Answer 4

When a person takes another person’s work and claims it as their own.

Question 5

What is copyright?

Answer 5

Copyright law protects the owner from having work illegally copied. It is a criminal offence (unlike plagiarism)

Question 6

Describe a traditional software license

Answer 6

• Pay the author to use their software on a specified number of computers
• Does not give you any ownership of the software.
• Cannot modify and redistribute it to others.

Question 7

Describe a Free Software License

Answer 7

• The software might cost money.
• You can modify the source code and redistribute it.
• The software will be fully functional.
• License will not expire.

Question 8

Describe a Freeware License

Answer 8

• There is no charge.
• You cannot modify the source code
• You can sometimes redistribute it (developer retains copyright).
• If you can redistribute it you cannot resell it.
• The software will usually be fully functional.
• License will not expire.

Question 9

Describe a Shareware License

Answer 9

• Usually free initially (charge may come later).
• You cannot modify the source code and redistribute it (developer retains copyright).
• Some features may be disabled.
• Usually only works for a trial period - e.g. 30 days.

Question 10

What is the difference between hacking and cracking?

Answer 10

• *Hacking**: Illegal access to a computer system without the owner’s consent or knowledge.
• *Cracking**: The act of illegally changing the source code of a program so that it can be exploited for another use.

Question 11

What is a hacker?

Answer 11

A person who tries to gain illegal access to a computer or a network.

Question 12

What is a cracker?

Answer 12

Cracker: Someone who edits program source code usually for a malicious purpose.