10 Commandments of Computer Ethics Quiz and Flashcards

Questions and Answers

It is equally bad to write a program that handles the timing of a bomb as it is to make a bomb.

True

Computer viruses that disrupt other people's work are considered ethical.

False

Reading someone's e-mail messages is considered an invasion of privacy.

True

Using a computer to break into a company's accounts and transfer money is legal.

False Signup and view all the answers

Spreading false information on the internet is considered unethical.

True Signup and view all the answers

It is unethical to hack a system in order to bypass authorization and access computer resources without proper permission.

True Signup and view all the answers

Watermarking is a process used to embed information about the copyright owner into pictures in a digital format.

True Signup and view all the answers

Copying someone else's program without proper authorization is considered ethical and encouraged according to intellectual property laws.

False Signup and view all the answers

The Communications Decency Act in the United States was passed to promote freedom of speech on the internet.

False Signup and view all the answers

Using other people's computer resources without authorization is acceptable as long as you compensate them properly.

False Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics

Respect for Others

Do not use computers to harm people, e.g., writing a program to handle bomb timing or accessing and destroying others' files.
Do not interfere with others' computer work, e.g., generating and spreading computer viruses.

Privacy and Property

Do not snoop around in others' computer files, e.g., reading e-mail messages or accessing non-public files.
Do not use computers to steal, e.g., breaking into company or bank accounts and transferring money.

Truth and Integrity

Do not use computers to bear false witness, e.g., spreading false rumors or propaganda about historical events.

Intellectual Property

Do not copy or use proprietary software without paying for it, e.g., obtaining illegal copies of copyrighted software.
Software is an intellectual product, like a book, and is protected by copyright laws.

Authorization and Compensation

Do not use others' computer resources without authorization or proper compensation, e.g., bypassing multiuser system authorization.

Original Work

Do not appropriate others' intellectual output, e.g., copying somebody else's program without authorization.
Intellectual property is a form of ownership and may be protected by copyright laws.

Consider the social consequences of the programs you write or the systems you design, e.g., ensuring your animations do not harm children.

Respect for Humanity

Always use computers in ways that ensure consideration and respect for fellow humans, e.g., respecting others in computer communications systems.

Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics Quiz

Questions and Answers

It is equally bad to write a program that handles the timing of a bomb as it is to make a bomb.

Computer viruses that disrupt other people's work are considered ethical.

Reading someone's e-mail messages is considered an invasion of privacy.

Using a computer to break into a company's accounts and transfer money is legal.

Spreading false information on the internet is considered unethical.

It is unethical to hack a system in order to bypass authorization and access computer resources without proper permission.

Watermarking is a process used to embed information about the copyright owner into pictures in a digital format.

Copying someone else's program without proper authorization is considered ethical and encouraged according to intellectual property laws.

The Communications Decency Act in the United States was passed to promote freedom of speech on the internet.

Using other people's computer resources without authorization is acceptable as long as you compensate them properly.