Computer ethics involves ethical principles for behavior in using and developing computer technology, including privacy, intellectual property, and moral principles. Cyber ethics requires refraining from certain actions, such as sharing proprietary data, and doing the right thing at the right time. Violations may be addressed by laws and regulations, but prevention through ethical behavior is key.
Computer ethics refers to ethical principles that focus on how end users, programmers, and others involved in the use and development of computer programs and equipment choose to behave when using computer technology. This includes how these individuals choose to behave and their use of computer programs and other resources in an online environment. Ethics of this type often deal with issues such as privacy rights, respect for intellectual property, and generally the translation of moral principles commonly found in any code of ethics in a computer-based environment.
As with any type of code of ethics, cyber ethics must not only choose to engage in certain actions, but also refrain from others. For example, this ethic would force users to share data considered to be in the public domain with others. At the same time, those same ethics would preclude the sharing of data considered proprietary. From this perspective, cyber ethics can be seen as doing the right thing at the right time.
There are a number of issues that call for the use of cyber ethics. For example, proper ethics would require you not to copy and distribute proprietary software to others, without the express permission of the entity that holds the copyright to that software. In the case of intellectual property, people who have access to that property along with permission to use that data as part of their work would not pass that information on to unauthorized others. This means that if a program is developed for a company’s internal use, employees will not share that program with anyone outside the company unless permission is granted.
Computer ethics apply to anyone who uses a computer. This means that individuals who wish to practice ethical behavior will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the email accounts of others, engage in unauthorized hacking, or attempt to protect proprietary data for the purpose of exploiting that data. Just as general ethics require that people not seek access to the private documents of others, this same concept translates into the electronic world, with users choosing to respect the privacy of everyone else who makes use of electronic technology .
Cyber ethics violations are sometimes addressed by laws and regulations, but other times they may not be easily prosecuted crimes. The fact that there are those who choose not to practice ethical behavior when using computer systems is evidenced by the ever-increasing demand for antivirus software, spyware protection programs, and other resources designed to prevent unauthorized access to data. As with any code of ethics, cyber ethics focus on dealing honestly and openly with others, respecting boundaries, and generally observing the rights of others to keep their information private if they choose.
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