Ethical Computing Information Wall by Valerie Sorrentino

The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics

sorrenva — 2024-09-27 07:05:34 UTC

^{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 computer files.}
^{Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.}
^{Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.}
^{Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid.}
^{Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without authorization or proper compensation.}
^{Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output.}
^{Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are designing.}
^{Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that ensure consideration and respect for your fellow humans.}

Q1. Which of the Ten Ethical Computing Guidelines do you think students violate most often?

sorrenva — 2024-09-27 07:17:43 UTC

I think students often violate the commandment number 4 the most. Number 4 states "thou shalt not use a computer to steal". The next most violated commandment is number 6 which states "thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid".

Q2. Why do you think these violations occur?

sorrenva — 2024-09-27 07:19:44 UTC

Computers make stealing so convenient. Hacking into some else's account and stealing things such as credit card information happens more often than people would like to admit. Especially considering the mental and financial state of most students, it is highly tempting to break this commandment. Same applies to coping a software that you have not paid for. Even though it is a form of plagiarism, students often find themselves in a bind and feeling obligated to do so to either obtain good grade or to simply pass the class.

Q3. What do you think could be done to reduce or eliminate such unethical behavior?

sorrenva — 2024-09-27 07:24:24 UTC

Making your information less accessible would help eliminate the temptation and prevent it from happening to you. Additionally, applying more security to certain software will help protect them. Students should be informed of better free options to use. They should feel like they are in a safe learning environment to be able to ask questions instead of copying or stealing for answers.