Ethics in Cyberspace - Essay Example

Ethics in Cyberspace Lecturer: Ethics in Cyberspace Ethics in Cyberspace is the ethical study pertaining to computer networking. It encompasses the behaviors of users and its effects of computer programming (Herman 2010, p.34). Technology is useful, but many people have gone as far as committing cybercrimes such as sending virus which are damaging to others, revealing confidential issues to the third party without one’s approval and many others. Cybercrime is one is one of the problems that many people using Internet face. The issue of cybercrime is among the ethical concerns that have created a dilemma in the contemporary world. From an ethical perspective, it is more acceptable to put an apparent useful program, which is a harmless virus for download on a Website than selling customer details to third party marketing companies without telling the customers. It is more acceptable to put an apparent useful program, which is a harmless virus for downloading than selling the details of customers to the third party. This is because the program may be useful to people, and this is a matter of trying to gain experience. Since, the program is useful and harmless, the Internet user may benefit from the program in case it succeeds. Hester and Ford (2001.p.65) reveal varied cybercrimes and most of them are unethical. For instance, sending a virus that may destroy someone’s information is a crime that many technology hackers commit. Although, this is more acceptable than selling a customer’s information to the third party because some many people protect their computers with anti-virus. Schneier (2000) argues that cyber crime is committed for various reasons. There are some cyber hawkers who may want to access a computer deface through developing some programs. Some hackers employ techniques that exploit a bug created by cybercrimes. Therefore, they develop an address of preventing the information access for being traced. This is because hackers may protect the victim from tracing the information. This is violation of laws because, and it may lead to lawsuit once, some may be discovered cyber hacking. Although, it could not be compare with the case of selling the customers’ information to the third party because it is violating of business code of conduct (Spinello 2011, p.116). Another reason is that the program of testing if the program is working or not. Developing computer skills require some testing in order to develop vital knowledge in computer studies. Therefore, it may be acceptable when someone tries to send useful programs with the intention of tricking people into downloading it. For instance, someone may create a test virus in order to see what happens when the anti-virus detects the virus. This is vital because the anti-virus may help in detecting a harmful virus that may destroy people’s properties. The anti-virus will secure people’s personal documents that may otherwise become corrupt because using unsafe websites. Sending a useful program which is not harmful is vital rather than selling customer’s information to the third party. This is ethically acceptable as long as one does not interfere with someone’s Internet privacy. Internet privacy is one of the essential issues, and it requires one to avoid interfering with someone’s information. George (2011, p. 133) points out that many computer experts are now designing programs for various reasons. They are some who may want to try in case their programs are working. For instance, the developers of useful programs such as anti-virus and other software that helps in protecting the computer systems from virus. This is ethically acceptable because it may help Internet users to protect their systems from malicious cyber criminals. This criminals’ purpose is to destroy the user’s personal information. When comparing it with selling a customers’ information to the third party, the sending of useful program is more acceptable. This is because one may utilize his or her knowledge because even computer experts do carry out testing of programs in order to ensure if they are working. Moreover, it is advisable to download a useful program, which is a harmless virus from a trusted source using a safe computer (Kizza 2007, p. 141). This is essential because it helps system users from keeping their information safe. Hence, it is advisable to install antivirus programs from antivirus companies that have a reputation for free virus download. This will help system users from keeping their information safe and free from virus (Kirkey 2001, p.41). For instance, one may download anti-virus from a trust worthy company and avoid malicious software. Quinn (2011) points out that the computer experts may want to want to reveal their talent through creating of useful programs in the Internet. This is vital because the programs may become helpful to the Internet users; hence it is ethically acceptable. Moreover, creating useful programs, which have harmless virus, are more ethical than selling the customers’ information. Tavani (2007, p. 222) points out that there is certified ethical hacking in the cyberspace. This certified ethical hacking tries to reveal the differences between ethical and unethical issues of using technology for hacking. Moreover, ethical hacking is helpful because it enables ethical hackers to create vital programs that are useful. Ethical hacking refers to taking advantage of the Internet trough setting of programs for the purpose of tricking users to download them (Evans 2009, p. 56). One of the best ways of eliminating the intruder is to have an independent computer security programs to protect the hackers form breaking into computer systems. According to Hamelink (2000, p.79), ethical hackers may employ similar tools and technologies s the intruders, but they may not destroy the target systems nor steal information. However, they may evaluate the target security for the systems and provide feedbacks to the owners about vulnerabilities they found. Therefore, they will provide instructions on the way to control them, which is a reason why they are considered helpful. For instance, a computer hacker may develop a certain program that target the system, but this program may become useful in case it helps in protecting someone’s information. Lastly, sending useful programs that are harmless is vital because they may not infect data files. However, data files that contain executable files may be affected. For instance, one of them is the Microsoft word file. Nowadays, many computer users protect their firewalls from computer viruses, and they carry out scanning of documents in order to avoid their information from being infected. Therefore, sending the program may not impact system user’s information because some programs allow virus scanning in order to avoid the risk of infecting their documents. Computer crimes are ever increasing, but compute experts have developed various ethics in the cyberspace that are helpful. Therefore, sending the useful program does not have any considerable impact the Internet personal privacy when comparing with selling of a customers’ information to the third party. Someone may become a victim of computer counterfeit if he or she does not follow the computer ethical rules (Donaldson 2001, p.210). In conclusion, it is more acceptable to put an apparent useful program, which is a harmless virus for download on a Website than selling customer details to third party marketing companies without telling the customers. This is because the computer expert may create useful program that may helpful Internet users. Moreover, the computer experts may want to test their capability in technology which is acceptable. Others experts may want to reveal their talent through creating of useful programs in the Internet. Sending useful programs that are harmless is vital because they may not infect data files. Ethical hacking is help because it enables ethical hackers to create vital programs that are useful. Bibliography Charles E. (2009). Digital Media Ethics and Society. Polity Press Evans, A. (2009). Ethics in cyberspace. Upper Saddle River, N.J., Prentice Hall. Drushel, B., & German, K. M. (2011). The ethics of emerging media: information, social norms, and new media technology. 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Contemporary issues in ethics and information technology. Hershey, PA, IRM Press. Schneier, B. (2000). Secrets and lies: digital security in a networked world. New York, John Wiley. Tavani, H. T. (2007). Ethics and technology: ethical issues in an age of information and communication technology. Hoboken, NJ, Wiley. Quinn, M. J. (2011). Ethics for the information age. 4th ed. Addison Wesley, Pearson. Read More