Reynaldo Marasigan IT-ETHICS March 22, 2008
case haba.doc
1. Define security and privacy. Why are both important in the information age?
In general, security can be considered a means to prevent unauthorized access. According to Jerry Durlak [6], privacy is a human value consisting of four elements he calls rights. We put these rights into two categories. The first category includes three rights that an individual can use to fence off personal information seekers; the second category contains those rights an individual can use to control the amount and value of personal information given out. Use, alteration, and theft or physical damage to property. It is important because each and every one of us deserves their own privacy and security and could also be a means for us to be cheated and used.
2. What is anonymity? Discuss two forms of anonymity.
Anonymity is the absence of identity. Consider these several types:
Pseudo identity: An individual is identified by a certain pseudonym, code, or number (compare with a writer’s pen name). This is referred to as pseudo anonymity. It is used frequently in the “Witness Protection” program. Untraceable identity: One is not known by any name including pseudo names. Anonymity with a pseudo address to receive and send correspondence with others: This technique is popular with people using anonymous remailers, user groups, and news groups
3. Discuss the importance of anonymity on the Internet.
Anonymity helps users of the internet, to hide their identity especially when it talks about important information.
4. Is total anonymity possible? Is it useful?
Nowadays, because of the high technology hackers invade user’s accounts. Yes anonymity is very useful for all of the people who use the internet.
5. Develop two scenarios—one dealing with ethical issues involving security, and the other dealing with ethical issues involving privacy.
First scenario is the security through passwords of e-mail accounts, yahoo messenger, groups and the like. Second scenario that involves privacy is when the information is given through this medium.
6. Is personal privacy dead? Discuss.
Yes, because of sometimes accounts are somewhat invaded and hacked without the knowledge of the owner. For example, National treasure the phone of the father of Nicolas Cage in the movie is been cloned and yet still he doesn’t have the knowledge about it from that point privacy is dead.
7. List and discuss the major threats to individual privacy
Your own identity could be use as criminal person in an easy way. Phone calls, bank accounts that could be transfer in a simple glimpse.
8. Identity theft is the fastest growing crime. Why?
Because of the advancement of internet, the sharing of files like e-books, mp3 and even video is growing with the use of different application software like lime wire, u-torrent and etc.
9. Why is it so easy to steal a person’s identity?
Because of sometimes information is always available to people. The securities given to such information are not that properly secured.
- Suggest steps necessary to protect personal identity.
Basically use your personal information at the right time. Be sure to about the security that you gave to a person or company is really secured. Sighted from the book “ Do not reveal personal information inadvertently, Turn on cookie notices in your Web browser, and/or use cookie, management software or inform diaries, Keep a “clean” email address, Don’t reveal personal details to strangers or just-met “friends”, Realize you may be monitored at work. Avoid sending highly personal emails to mailing lists, and keep sensitive files on your home computer, Beware sites that offer some sort of reward or prize in exchange for your contact or other information, Do not reply to spammers, for any reason, Be conscious of Web security, Be conscious of home computer security, Examine privacy policies and seals, Remember that you alone decide what information about yourself to reveal—when, why, and to whom. Use encryption! That there’s nothing we could do unless you’re always willingly to sign a contract each and every time you gave someone your personal information.
11. Governments are partners in the demise of personal privacy. Discuss
Yes, because of the fact that government doesn’t have this high-tech tools or gadgets to secure all information of people.
12. Anonymity is a doubly edged sword. Discuss.
Yes, it’s somewhat hide the identity of a person.
13. Are the steps given in Section 5.4.5 enough to prevent identity theft? Can you add more?
Yes, I think it is almost complete and if ever I mentioned it on number 10
14. What role do special relationships play in identity theft?
it directs other people who wants to invade your privacy in such a way that the person is mislead
15. Modern day information mining is as good as gold! Why or why not?
Yes it is good much more as gold but it is unethical.
16. How do consumers unknowingly contribute to their own privacy violations?
In giving some other information without due consents like in resume sometimes the person written in the references are not notified.
17. How has the Financial Services Modernization Act helped companies in gathering personal information?
Quoted from the book, “The Financial Services Modernization Act aimed to restrict financial institutions such as banks and brokerages from sharing customers’ personal information with third parties, has allowed these same U.S. financial institutions to merge and form what have been called financial supermarkets. This one Act has opened a door for these companies to merge and consolidate customer data from several sources”.
- Discuss the problems faced by software developers trying to apply for protection under trade secret statutes.
“A trade secret is information that gives a company or business a competitive advantage over others in the field. It may be a formula, a design process, a device, or trade figures. Thus, there is no one acceptable description or definition of trade secrets. The generic definition is that it is a collection of information in a given static format with strategic importance” basically the software developers have a hard time to patent their own works because of these trade secret statues.
- Why is it difficult to apply patent laws to software?
Because of the fact that it is known to its internal structure, lack of security, low value or importance, because of its high investment that the company will use, and lastly the ease of copying files.
- Why is it possible to apply patent law to software?
Still software are made be a certain person, he has the right to own his works in this world that piracy and theft is high.
- Is it possible to trademark software?
Yes!
- Discuss the ethical and legal issues surrounding software ownership.
The first issue I can think about is about the span of years of the different laws, even if the patent or trademark is expired the owner is still the same so why do we need to renew it.
- There is a move to do away with the current copyright law. Why?
Yes.
- Why is the copyright law, in its present form, considered to be unenforceable?
Because like what I say before the information is everywhere, and because of this high end technologies copyright law is somewhat invaded and not in used.
- What changes would you suggest in the current copyright laws to make it enforceable in cyberspace?
Make use of credits in return for information, the restrictions in doing the copy, print in the internet.
- Has the Internet made software protection easier or more difficult? Why or why not?
It makes software protection more difficult to implement. Because of the fact of file sharing that is nowadays is very widely spread.
- There is a movement (that includes hackers) that is advocating for free software! Discuss the merits of this idea, if any.
The merit is for the people who are not capable of buying this expensive product. However the owner of the product is simply a big loss for them.
- Because of income disparities between north and south, and have and have-nots, fair pricing of computer products is impossible. Discuss.
yes, first if we think in the transportation of products it means a lot that it is directly affects the price. Second is that the income generation of the different country.
- Most copyright violations are found in developing, usually, poor countries. Why?
Basically because of the fact they can’t afford to buy products they make a way for them to have copy. Also because that developing and poor country has this ability to perform more improve than other country.
- Does the high price of software marketing in developing countries justify the high rate of software piracy in those countries? Why?
Yes, many people nowadays are price conscious. The thinking of why buy a software that is high if there is available that is not expensive.
- What do you think is the cause of the rising cost of software?
Because of the high-demand of this software and its lifetime service it gives.
- Is globalization a means through which the developed, usually northern countries, will enforce the copyright laws?
In some way no knowing that globalization means that the country has this one monoculture.
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