Ethics on the Web
"Ethics would seem to be the last topic to be covered in a technical discussion of the Internet. But, as with any democratic society, the Internet depends of rules of behavior to survive.
As the computer era evolves each day, our society is gradually forming into a gigantic chain through the increasing use of the Internet. Human beings interact with each other every day by using the Net. Just as ethics evolve as human societies grow and change, so similar ethical questions are raised during the evolution of this global electronic community.
How can ethics be defined? They are our moral code. Ethics describe how we determine what is good and right from what is bad and wrong. It are somewhat abstract yet definitely the art of the human race. It distinguish us from other creatures in nature.
As electronic communication becomes essential to the daily lives of more and more people, ethical questions take on a practical urgency. For sometimes the hacker can kill. According to Britain's Scotland Yard, someone broke into the weather computer network, interrupting the weather forecast for the English Channel. In this case, this unauthorized entry led directly to the loss of a ship at sea.
(John Markoff. The New York Times, Vol. CXLI II, page E7, October 24,1993. Cited on:15).
Some examples of unethical and criminal behavior:
Stealing copyright and credit for intellectual property.
Intercepting private e-mail.
Display of pornographical material.
Deliberate public misinformation.
Misuse of research material.
Improper commercial/personal use of network.
Stealing credit information
Surely, we should adopt a more serious attitude toward the ethical issues raised as our computer techonology progresses. How can we refine the art of ethics? It depends on how much we want to respect one other on the Net. And how much we want to take it seriously.
The Ten Commandments from the Computer Ethics Institute:
Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.
Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work.
Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's files.
Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.
Thou shalt not use or copy software for which you have not paid.
Thou shalt not use computer resources without authorization.
Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output.
Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you write.
Thou shalt use a computer in ways that show consideration and respect."
Bárbara Andreza
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