Chapter 7 Final Revision #1

An understanding of the difference between right and wrong, often founded in personal beliefs. Something can be immoral in one culture but acceptable in another, and immoral actions are not always illegal.

Moral principles governing an individual’s or organisation’s behaviour, such as a code of conduct. Ethics is most commonly applied in a professional context (e.g. a professional code of ethics).

Relating to, or permissible by, law — whether or not an action is punishable by law. Example: Copying software and then selling it without the copyright holder’s permission is illegal.

The attitudes, values, and practices shared by a group of people or society. Example: When writing computer games, programmers must avoid items that some cultures may find offensive or obscene.

Rules governing an individual’s ownership of their own creations or ideas, prohibiting the copying of (for example) software without the owner’s permission.

The right to keep personal information and data secret, and for it not to be unwillingly accessed or shared (for example, through hacking).

The act of taking another person’s work or ideas and claiming them as one’s own. It is avoided through proper citation — references at the end of a document or footnotes on each page — and is detected using plagiarism-detection software.

Computer Ethics is a set of principles set out to regulate the use of computers. Three main factors: 1. Intellectual Property Rights (e.g. copying software without permission) 2. Privacy Issues (e.g. hacking or illegal access to personal data) 3. Effect of Computers on Society (e.g. job losses, social impacts)

Yes. Creating a fake news website is not illegal but may be considered immoral if it causes distress to others. However, if the creator attempts to obtain personal or financial data through it, it becomes an illegal act.

Hacking is generally regarded as immoral but not always illegal. It becomes ILLEGAL if it: • Compromises national security • Results in financial gain • Reveals personal information

The breaking of a professional code of conduct. Example: An employee at a software company passing on ideas to a rival company is unethical. If the software relates to national security or is formally copyrighted, the act also becomes illegal.

• It is a form of being fair. • It builds trust within the team. • It enables effective teamwork. • Colleagues feel valued — there is mutual giving and receiving of help. • It produces the best product for the client and employer.

• Tell the manager they have not used it and explain how they will get up-to-date. • Perform their own research on how to use it. • Explain to the manager that additional training is needed. • Ask the manager to book a training course. • Ask for a mentor or to shadow someone more experienced. • Practise at home before starting.

• Respect privacy issues (their own and others’). • Avoid inappropriate use of social networking and refrain from cyberbullying. • Do not copy work that is not their own (avoid plagiarism). • Abide by the school’s rules and guidelines for accessing the network. • Use the school network only for legitimate purposes. • Do not hack or crack other computers.

• To create a safe, respectable and professional working environment for all employees. • To ensure employees understand the expectations placed on them. • To make clear the consequences of their actions. • To provide a clear outline of what is considered good practice. • To protect the reputation of the organisation and maintain public trust.

• To confirm they understand the code of conduct. • To ensure they know what behaviour is expected of them. • To make clear there may be consequences for some actions. • To ensure all employees adhere to the same standards.

• Clear ethical guidelines are provided — the professional does not have to decide what is ethical, as it is written down. • Clients and staff know the standards being applied, so the professional is seen as reputable. • Recognition of skills and knowledge (often through entry tests or qualification requirements). • Access to help and support, such as legal advice if action is taken against them. • Networking opportunities, preventing missed contacts or job opportunities. • Access to training courses to keep skills up-to-date.

• No or limited access to legal advice if action is taken against them. • Fewer networking opportunities, leading to missed contacts or jobs. • Less access to training and professional development. • No clear, laid-out ethical guidelines, and no peers to discuss potential ethical problems with. • May lead to inappropriate or unethical actions. • Which might lead to legal proceedings or recourse.

• The Public Interest • Professional Competence and Integrity • Duty to Relevant Authority • Duty to the Profession

The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) was set up in the USA to: • Raise awareness of ethical issues. • Promote ethical behaviour among professionals in the electronics industry. • Ensure engineers and scientists respect the need for ethical behaviour.

Members commit to: 1. Prioritise public safety, health, and welfare. 2. Avoid conflicts of interest. 3. Be honest and realistic in claims and estimates. 4. Reject bribery in all forms. 5. Improve public understanding of technology’s implications. 6. Maintain technical competence. 7. Accept and offer honest criticism; credit others appropriately. 8. Treat everyone fairly (no discrimination). 9. Avoid injuring others through malicious actions. 10. Support colleagues in their professional development.

• PUBLIC — Act consistently with the public interest. • CLIENT & EMPLOYER — Act in the best interests of client/employer, consistent with public interest. • PRODUCT — Ensure products meet the highest professional standards. • JUDGMENT — Maintain integrity and independence in professional judgment. • MANAGEMENT — Promote an ethical approach to software development and maintenance. • PROFESSION — Advance the integrity and reputation of the profession. • COLLEAGUES — Be fair to and supportive of colleagues. • SELF — Participate in lifelong learning; promote an ethical approach to practice.