Computer Ethics Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is a primary ethical principle for a deontologist?

Assessing consequences of actions

Following obligations and duties (correct)

Maximizing overall happiness

Prioritizing individual rights over duties

What is a major flaw of deontological ethics?

It prioritizes emotions over rationality.

It lacks a logical basis for determining duties. (correct)

It provides clear guidelines for moral behavior.

It requires adherence to societal laws.

What does Act Utilitarianism prioritize?

Personal sentiments and emotions

Societal laws and restrictions

Fairness and justice

The greatest good for the greatest number (correct)

Which is a challenge faced by utilitarian decision makers?

Comparing outcomes on a similar scale Signup and view all the answers

What does Rule Utilitarianism take into consideration that Act Utilitarianism does not?

Societal rules and fairness Signup and view all the answers

What potential outcome may occur in Act Utilitarianism when prioritizing the majority?

Individual rights may be compromised Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended frequency for changing your password to protect sensitive information?

Every 90 days Signup and view all the answers

How does utilitarianism determine the ethically correct choice?

Through comparing predicted outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of both Act and Rule Utilitarianism?

They can lead to uncertain predictions of outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a safe practice regarding passwords?

Never share your password with anyone Signup and view all the answers

What kind of information should be avoided when posting online?

Sensitive personal information like your address Signup and view all the answers

Why should you consider using privacy settings when uploading photographs online?

To limit who can see your images and protect your location information Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential risk of using public computers?

Spyware may be present that records your keystrokes Signup and view all the answers

What should you do before sharing photographs taken with your cellphone online?

Remove GPS coordinates if possible Signup and view all the answers

When selling or listing items online, which of the following should you avoid?

Meeting someone alone Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT advisable regarding password management?

Allowing browsers to remember your passwords on public computers Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a serious violation of computer ethics related to reproducing excusive materials?

Piracy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of fraud in computer ethics?

Theft of money by electronic methods Signup and view all the answers

Which issue is associated with the unauthorized access and use of personal information?

Confidentiality & Privacy Signup and view all the answers

What can protect a software provider from liability concerning informal remarks made during a transaction?

Writings of agreements Signup and view all the answers

In the context of computer ethics, what does the term 'liability' primarily refer to?

Legal accountability for promises made Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following practices is NOT a common issue in computer ethics?

Publicly advertising software Signup and view all the answers

What risk arises from the misuse of computer-generated data by organizations?

Confusion legally for audiences Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the unauthorized commercial exploitation of electronic data?

Piracy Signup and view all the answers

How does ethics influence a person's values and attitude?

It provides a framework for determining what is important to individuals. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the ethical principles mentioned?

Egalitarianism Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary drawback of evaluating a person based on their history of ethical conduct?

It may overlook the potential for personal growth and change. Signup and view all the answers

What do ethical theories primarily provide?

Guidance for morally right decisions within ethical parameters. Signup and view all the answers

Which form of ethical philosophy focuses on the outcomes of actions?

Utilitarianism Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the term 'attitude' in the context of ethics?

It is a strong belief or feeling towards individuals and situations. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'beneficence' emphasize in ethical discussions?

The importance of doing good and promoting welfare. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best differentiates ethical principles from ethical theories?

Ethical principles provide moral rules, while theories explore moral reasoning. Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge associated with act utilitarianism?

It can lead to changes in decisions based on sudden experiences. Signup and view all the answers

In rule utilitarianism, what can lead to ethical dilemmas?

Conflicting ideas about what is ethically correct. Signup and view all the answers

Under the rights ethical theory, when is a right considered valid?

When endorsed by a significant population. Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential step for a society when defining rights?

To determine which rights it wants to sustain. Signup and view all the answers

How does virtue ethics evaluate unusual unethical behavior?

By assessing the individual's character and past behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What factor may influence how a peer views someone who has plagiarized?

The person's typical reputation and morals. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the rights theory play in relation to societal goals?

It must be used alongside another ethical theory to be effective. Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical theory focuses on the usual character of a person when assessing actions?

Virtue ethics Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Common Issues in Computer Ethics

Violation of copyright is a significant ethical concern involving unauthorized reproduction and distribution of creative works.
Accessing personal information raises privacy issues, risking the confidentiality of sensitive data.
Ethical decision-making in IT is essential for cybersecurity, highlighting individual responsibilities.

Confidentiality & Privacy Concerns

Computers facilitate invasions of privacy, making unauthorized data collection easier.
Risks include illegal commercial use of personal data and unauthorized sharing with third parties.
Breaches of confidentiality can lead to leaks of sensitive information to authorities.

Piracy

Defined as the illegal replication and distribution of copyrighted material such as software, music, and films.

Fraud & Misuse

Computer-related fraud involves introducing false data, electronic theft, and unauthorized access to financial resources.

Legal Liability

Software creators often provide explicit warranties about their products; thus, they must be cautious in claims to avoid legal consequences.
Written agreements can help shield providers from liability associated with informal statements.

Personal Information Protection

Vigilance is required when sharing personal information online; sensitive data can be exploited if mismanaged.
Deleting personal data from public records and utilizing privacy settings can mitigate exposure.

Photo Privacy

Photographs taken on smartphones may contain geolocation data that can reveal personal locations.
Uploaded images can be copied and disseminated without permission, stressing the need for privacy controls.

Public Computers Caution

Sensitive information should not be entered on public computers due to risks of spyware and observation.
Automatic sign-in features should be avoided to protect personal accounts.

Selling Products Online

Caution is advised when selling items; meetings should occur in public spaces to ensure safety.
Care must be taken when posting photos; consider the implications of sharing personal images.

Ethical Theories

Deontology: Focuses on duties and obligations but can lack clarity on what those duties entail, leading to conflicts.
Utilitarianism: Analyzes actions based on outcomes, seeking the greatest good for the majority. It divides into two types:
- Act Utilitarianism: Actions taken to benefit the majority regardless of personal sentiment.
- Rule Utilitarianism: Considers fairness and legality in decision-making.

Rights and Virtue Theories

Rights Theory: Prioritizes established rights within society, requiring societal agreement on what rights are valid.
Virtue Theory: Evaluates a person's character over actions, considering a person's reputation and motivation in ethical assessments.

Impact of Ethics

Ethics shape individual values and attitudes, influencing behavior standards.
Understanding ethical principles, such as beneficence and autonomy, guides moral decision-making.

Summary of Ethical Philosophy

Ethical principles provide frameworks for evaluating human actions and judgments.
The four main categories of ethical philosophy are deontology, utilitarianism, rights, and virtue.

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Description

This quiz explores common issues in computer ethics, including copyright violations, privacy concerns, and the implications of data breaches. It also discusses the importance of ethical decision-making in IT and the responsible use of technology. Test your knowledge on these crucial topics related to computer and information ethics.