University of Cagayan Valley: College Freshmen Program

UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines
COLLEGE FRESHMEN PROGRAM

First Semester, School Year 2021-2022
MODULE IN LIVING IN IT ERA
Course Code: GEEL 1 / Elective 1MT

Course Title: Living in IT Era
Credit Units: 3 units
Course Description:
This course explores the science, culture and ethics of information technology, its various uses and
applications, as well as its influence on culture and society. It will provide knowledge on new
technologies, modern innovations, technology trends and the history of Information Technology
age. It aims to strike a balance between conceptual instruction and socially and culturally oriented
discussions as it not only explains the basic concepts or key terms in IT but also features the major
IT trends along with the issues and challenges these developments bring.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this module, students are expected to:
Cognitive:
➢ Describe the procedures, values and practices that govern the process of consuming
computing technology.
Affective:
➢ Explain diverse viewpoints to ethical dilemmas in the information technology field and
recommend appropriate actions
Psychomotor:
➢ Distinguishes the structure of standards and practices that influence how people lead their
lives.
Intended Learning Outcomes:
➢ Explain the basic concepts of ethics.

➢ Describe the common legal issues related to privacy and intellectual properties rights.
➢ Discuss ethical issues associated with the use of social networks and social media.
➢ Identify and ensure the privacy and safety of the computer users.
GEEL 1 / Elective 1MT | Living in the Information Technology Era | Computer Ethics 1

LESSON 12. COMPUTER ETHICS
Learning Activities:
Computer ethics deals with the procedures, values and practices that govern the process of
consuming computing technology and its related disciplines without damaging or violating the
moral values and beliefs of any individual, organization, or entity.
Computer ethics is a concept in ethics that addresses the ethical issues and constraints that arise
from the use of computers, and how they can be mitigated or prevented. Computer ethics primarily
enforces the ethical implementation and use of computing resources. It includes methods and
procedures to avoid infringing copyrights, trademarks and the unauthorized distribution of digital
content. Computer ethics also entails the behavior and approach of a human operator, workplace
ethics and compliance with the ethical standards that surround computer use.
The core issues surrounding computer ethics are based on the scenarios arising from the use of the
Internet, such as Internet privacy, the publication of copyrighted content and user interaction with
websites, software and related services.
What are Ethics?
Ethics are a structure of standards and practices that influence how people lead their lives. It is not
strictly implemented to follow these ethics, but it is basically for the benefit of everyone that we
do. Ethics are unlike laws that legally mandate what is right or wrong. Ethics illustrate society’s
views about what is right and what is wrong.
Computer Ethics
Computer ethics are a set of moral standards that govern the use of computers. It is society’s views
about the use of computers, both hardware and software. Privacy concerns, intellectual property
rights and effects on the society are some of the common issues of computer ethics.

Privacy Concerns
Hacking
Is unlawful intrusion into a computer or a network. A hacker can intrude through the
security levels of a computer system or network and can acquire unauthorized access to
other computers.
Malware
Means malicious software which is created to impair a computer system. Common

malware are viruses, spyware, worms and trojan horses. A virus can delete files from a
hard drive while a spyware can collect data from a computer.
Data Protection
Also known as information privacy or data privacy is the process of safeguarding data
which intends to influence a balance between individual privacy rights while still
authorizing data to be used for business purposes.
Anonymity
Is a way of keeping a user’s identity masked through various applications.
Intellectual Property Rights
Copyright
Is a form of intellectual property that gives proprietary publication, distribution, and usage
rights for the author. This means that whatever idea the author created cannot be employed
or disseminated by anyone else without the permission of the author.
Plagiarism
Is an act of copying and publishing another person’s work without proper citation. It’s like
stealing someone else’s work and releasing it as your own work.

Cracking
is a way of breaking into a system by getting past the security features of the system. It’s a
way of skipping the registration and authentication steps when installing a software.
Software License
allows the use of digital material by following the license agreement. Ownership remains
with the original copyright owner; users are just granted licenses to use the material based
on the agreement.
Effects on Society
Jobs
Some jobs have been abolished while some jobs have become simpler as computers have
taken over companies and businesses. Things can now be done in just one click whereas
before it takes multiple steps to perform a task. This change may be considered unethical
as it limits the skills of the employees.
➢ There are also ethical concerns on health and safety of employees getting
sick from constant sitting, staring at computer screens and typing on the
keyboard or clicking on the mouse.
Environmental Impact
Environment has been affected by computers and the internet since so much time
spent using computers increases energy usage which in turn increases the
emission of greenhouse gases.
➢ There are ways where we can save energy like limiting computer time and
turning off the computer or putting on sleep mode when not in use. Buying
energy efficient computers with Energy Star label can also help save the
environment.

Social Impact
Computers and the internet help people stay in touch with family and friends. Social media
has been very popular nowadays.
➢ Computer gaming influenced society both positively and negatively.

Positive effects are improved hand-eye coordination, stress relief and
improved strategic thinking. Negative effects are addiction of gamers,
isolation from the real world and exposure to violence.
➢ Computer technology helps the government in improving services to its

citizens. Advanced database can hold huge data being collected and
analyzed by the government.
➢ Computer technology aids businesses by automating processes, reports and

analysis.
Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics
Computer ethics relates to the ethical values that should guide the computer professionals in their
conduct. The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics establish guiding principles for all of us to
follow.
Every sphere of life is guided by a set of rules of what is right and what is wrong. The difference
between the 'right' and the 'wrong' has to be demarcated in any walk of life. With the development
of technology and the increase in its use, society had to confront ethical issues relating to the
harnessing of technology. Every science of life needs to base itself on ethics and so does computer
technology! The Computer Ethics Institute came up with The Ten Commandments of Computer
Ethics, in 1992. The intent behind the creation of these Ten Commandments was to establish a set
of standards to instruct people to use computers ethically. Following is a list of the ten
commandments of Computer ethics along with their brief explanation.
1. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.
This commandment makes clear that it is unethical to use a computer to harm

another user. It includes harming or corrupting some other user's data or files. The
commandment states that it is wrong to steal someone's personal information by
means of a computer. It is unethical to manipulate or destroy the files of other

people through the use of a computer. It iterates the fact that writing a program
intended to bring perform ethically wrong actions, is in itself unethical.
2. Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work.
Viruses are small programs built with intent to harm or disrupt the useful computer
programs. Some viruses aim at overloading the computer memory by an excessive
use of computer resources. These viruses tend to fail a computer in executing the
desired tasks. They lead to the dysfunction of a computer. The development or the
spread of such malicious software is unethical.
3. Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's files.
We know that it is wrong to read another person's letters. On similar lines, it is

unethical to read another person's email messages. Obtaining another person's
private files is as wrong as breaking into someone's room. Snooping around in
another person's files or reading someone else's personal messages is the invasion
of his/her privacy. In order to protect the information from being attacked, it is
ethical to apply encryption schemes to it.
4. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
The stealing of sensitive information such as the personal information of the

employees from an employee database or breaking into bank accounts for the
retrieval of confidential information is nothing less than robbery. An illegal
electronic transfer of funds is one type of a fraud.
5. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.
Computers are the easiest sources of spreading information to the masses by means
of Internet. This also means that false news or rumors can spread speedily and easily
through the Internet. Being involved in the circulation of incorrect information is
unethical. Spreading the wrong information by means of Internet is like taking an
undue advantage of technology.
6. Thou shalt not use or copy software for which you have not paid.
Like any other artists or literary work, software is also subject to copyrights.
Software is the outcome of a programmer's intellect and it is important to respect

talent and give due regard to his/her rights. Obtaining illegal copies of copyrighted
software is unethical.
7. Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without

authorization.
Multi-user systems are supported by user specific ids and passwords. Breaking into
some other user's password, thus indulging into his private space on the network is
unethical. It is not ethical to hack passwords for gaining an unauthorized access to
a password given computer system.
8. Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output.
Programs developed by a programmer in an organization are his/her property.

Copying them and propagating them in one's own name is unethical. A creative
work, a program or a design that a particular employee comes up with, is his/her
ownership. It is the output of someone's intellect and efforts. Copying it with selfish
intentions is indeed not ethical.
9. Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you write.
Looking at the social consequences that a program can have, describes a broader
perspective of looking at technology. A computer program goes a long way to
reach homes of the masses. In case a person is working for animation films, or
he/she is designing a video game, it is the programmer’s responsibility to pay
heeds to the effects of his/her creation. In case of software, it is important for the
programmer to realize the prospective use of the software. Writing a virus, when
one knows that it is going to serve as a malware, is indeed unethical. If a particular
content is intended for children or when children are prone to gain access to the
content, it is necessary for the creator of such content to be careful about the social
consequences it is bound to have.
10. Thou shalt use a computer in ways that show consideration and respect.
In the real world, we face situation wherein we need to be courteous to our fellow
mates. Many times, we need to cooperate with them and give each of the fellow
individuals the consideration due. On similar lines, while interacting through a
computer, a person needs to be nice to the ones he/she interacts with.

Remember!
The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics are the means to build a set of regulations to guide
the individual users to base computer related operations on strong ethical values. The
commandments are a way to make people understand the ethics involved in the use of technology.
Netiquette
Netiquette" is network etiquette, the do's and don'ts of online communication. Netiquette covers
both common courtesies online and the informal "rules of the road" of cyberspace. This page
provides links to both summary and detail information about Netiquette for your browsing
pleasure.
Core Rules of Netiquette
What is Netiquette? Simply stated, it's network etiquette -- that is, the etiquette of cyberspace. And
"etiquette" means "the forms required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be required
in social or official life."
Rule 1: Remember the human
The golden rule your parents and your kindergarten teacher taught you was pretty simple: Do unto
others as you'd have others do unto you. Imagine how you'd feel if you were in the other person's
shoes. Stand up for yourself but try not to hurt people's feelings.
In cyberspace, we state this in an even more basic manner: Remember the human. When you
communicate electronically, all you see is a computer screen. You don't have the opportunity to
use facial expressions, gestures, and tone of voice to communicate your meaning; words -- lonely
written words -- are all you've got. And that goes for your correspondent as well.
Rule 2: Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real life
In real life, most people are fairly law-abiding, either by disposition or because we're afraid of
getting caught. In cyberspace, the chances of getting caught sometimes seem slim. And, perhaps
because people sometimes forget that there's a human being on the other side of the computer,
some people think that a lower standard of ethics or personal behavior is acceptable in cyberspace.

The confusion may be understandable, but these people are mistaken. Standards of behavior may
be different in some areas of cyberspace, but they are not lower than in real life.
Be ethical
Don't believe anyone who says, "The only ethics out there are what you can get away with." This
is a book about manners, not about ethics. But if you encounter an ethical dilemma in cyberspace,
consult the code you follow in real life. Chances are good you'll find the answer.
Rule 3: Know where you are in cyberspace
Netiquette varies from domain to domain What’s perfectly acceptable in one area may be
dreadfully rude in another. For example, in most TV discussion groups, passing on idle gossip is
perfectly permissible. But throwing around unsubstantiated rumors in a journalists' mailing list
will make you very unpopular there. And because Netiquette is different in different places, it's
important to know where you are. Thus, the next corollary:
Lurk before you leap
When you enter a domain of cyberspace that's new to you, take a look around. Spend a while
listening to the chat or reading the archives. Get a sense of how the people who are already their
act. Then go ahead and participate.
Rule 4: Respect other people's time and bandwidth
It's a formula that people today seem to have less time than ever before, even though (or perhaps
because) we sleep less and have more labor-saving devices than our grandparents did. When you
send email or post to a discussion group, you're taking up other people's time (or hoping to). It's
your responsibility to ensure that the time they spend reading your posting isn't wasted.
The word "bandwidth" is sometimes used synonymously with time, but it's really a different thing.
Bandwidth is the information-carrying capacity of the wires and channels that connect everyone
in cyberspace. There's a limit to the amount of data that any piece of wiring can carry at any given
moment -- even a state of-the-art fiber-optic cable. The word "bandwidth" is also sometimes used
to refer to the storage capacity of a host system. When you accidentally post the same note to the
same newsgroup five times, you are wasting both time (of the people who check all five copies of
the posting) and bandwidth (by sending repetitive information over the wires and requiring it to be
stored somewhere).

You are not the center of cyberspace.
Presumably, this reminder will be superfluous to most readers. But I include it anyway, because
when you're working hard on a project and deeply involved in it, it's easy to forget that other people
have concerns other than yours. So, don't expect instant responses to all your questions, and don't
assume that all readers will agree with -- or care about -- your passionate arguments.
Rule 5: Make yourself look good online
Take advantage of your secrecy
I don't want to give the impression that the net is a cold, cruel place full of people who just can't
wait to insult each other. As in the world at large, most people who communicate online just want
to be liked. Networks --particularly discussion groups -- let you reach out to people you'd otherwise
never meet. And none of them can see you. You won't be judged by the color of your skin, eyes,
or hair, your weight, your age, or your clothing. You will, however, be judged by the quality of
your writing. For most people who choose to communicate online, this is an advantage; if they
didn't enjoy using the written word, they wouldn't be there. So spelling and grammar do count.
Rule 6: Share expert knowledge
Finally, after all that negativity, some positive advice.
The strength of cyberspace is in its numbers. The reason asking questions online works is that a
lot of knowledgeable people are reading the questions. And if even a few of them offer intelligent
answers, the sum total of world knowledge increases. The Internet itself was founded and grew
because scientists wanted to share information. Gradually, the rest of us got in on the act.
Rule 7: Help keep flame wars under control
"Flaming" is what people do when they express a strongly held opinion without holding back any
emotion. It's the kind of message that makes people respond, "Oh come on, tell us how you really
feel." Tact is not its objective. Does Netiquette forbid flaming? Not at all. Flaming is a long-
standing network tradition (and Netiquette never messes with tradition). Flames can be lots of fun,
both to write and to read. And the recipients of flames sometimes deserve the heat.

Rule 8: Respect other people's privacy
Of course, you'd never dream of going through your colleagues' desk drawers. So naturally you
wouldn't read their email either. Unfortunately, a lot of people would. This topic actually rates a
separate section. For now, here's a cautionary tale. I call it
The case of the snoopy foreign correspondent In 1993, a highly regarded foreign correspondent in
the Moscow bureau of the Los Angeles Times was caught reading his coworkers' email. His
colleagues became suspicious when system records showed that someone had logged in to check
their email at times when they knew they hadn't been near the computer. So, they set up a sting
operation. They planted false information in messages from another one of the paper's foreign
bureaus. The reporter read the notes and later asked colleagues about the false information. Bingo!
As a disciplinary measure, he was immediately reassigned to another position at the paper's Los
Angeles bureau. The moral: Failing to respect other people's privacy is not just bad Netiquette. It
could also cost you your job.
Rule 9: Don't abuse your power
Some people in cyberspace have more power than others. There are wizards in MUDs (multi-user
dungeons), experts in every office, and system administrators in every system. Knowing more than
others, or having more power than they do, does not give you the right to take advantage of them.
For example, system administrators should never read private email.
Rule 10: Be forgiving of other people's mistakes
Everyone was a network newbie once. And not everyone has had the benefit of reading this book.
So, when someone makes a mistake -- whether it's a spelling error or a spelling flame, a stupid
question or an unnecessarily long answer - - be kind about it. If it's a minor error, you may not
need to say anything. Even if you feel strongly about it, think twice before reacting. Having good
manners, yourself doesn't give you license to correct everyone else.
If you do decide to inform someone of a mistake, point it out politely and preferably by private
email rather than in public. Give people the benefit of the doubt; assume they just don't know any
better. And never be arrogant or self-righteous about it. Just as it's a law of nature that spelling
flames always contain spelling errors, notes pointing out Netiquette violations are often examples
of poor Netiquette.

Reference/s:
https://teachcomputerscience.com/computer-ethics/
https://sites.google.com/site/pnusicte18/10-commandments-in-computer-ethics
http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/5499/computer-ethics
Prepared by:
IT INSTRUCTORS

University of Cagayan Valley: College Freshmen Program

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UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines

COLLEGE FRESHMEN PROGRAM

MODULE IN LIVING IN IT ERA

Course Code: GEEL 1 / Elective 1MT

At the end of this module, students are expected to:

Intended Learning Outcomes:

➢ Explain the basic concepts of ethics.

COLLEGE FRESHMEN PROGRAM

LESSON 12. COMPUTER ETHICS

What are Ethics?

COLLEGE FRESHMEN PROGRAM

Means malicious software which is created to impair a computer system. Common

Is a way of keeping a user’s identity masked through various applications.

Intellectual Property Rights

COLLEGE FRESHMEN PROGRAM

COLLEGE FRESHMEN PROGRAM

➢ Computer gaming influenced society both positively and negatively.

➢ Computer technology helps the government in improving services to its

➢ Computer technology aids businesses by automating processes, reports and

Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics

1. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.

This commandment makes clear that it is unethical to use a computer to harm

COLLEGE FRESHMEN PROGRAM

2. Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work.

3. Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's files.

We know that it is wrong to read another person's letters. On similar lines, it is

4. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.

The stealing of sensitive information such as the personal information of the

5. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.

COLLEGE FRESHMEN PROGRAM

7. Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without

8. Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output.

Programs developed by a programmer in an organization are his/her property.

COLLEGE FRESHMEN PROGRAM

Core Rules of Netiquette

Rule 1: Remember the human

COLLEGE FRESHMEN PROGRAM

Rule 3: Know where you are in cyberspace

Lurk before you leap

Rule 4: Respect other people's time and bandwidth

COLLEGE FRESHMEN PROGRAM

You are not the center of cyberspace.

Rule 5: Make yourself look good online

Take advantage of your secrecy

Rule 6: Share expert knowledge

Finally, after all that negativity, some positive advice.

Rule 7: Help keep flame wars under control

COLLEGE FRESHMEN PROGRAM

Rule 8: Respect other people's privacy

Rule 9: Don't abuse your power

Rule 10: Be forgiving of other people's mistakes

COLLEGE FRESHMEN PROGRAM

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