This textbook highlights the essential need for a strong ethical framework in our approach to teaching of and working in computer, information and engineering sciences.
Through thought-provoking questions and case studies, the reader is challenged to consider the deeper implications arising from the use of today’s rapidly evolving computing technologies and ever-changing communication ecosystems.
This thoroughly revised and updated third edition features revised chapters with new and updated content and hardened the ethical framework. To cope with the rapidly changing computing and telecommunication ecosystem, a new chapter, Ethics and Social Responsibility in the Metaverse, has been added. The interface between our current universe and the evolving metaverse presents a security quagmire. The discussion throughout the book is candid and intended to ignite students’ and professionals’ interest and active participation in discussions of the issues we are facing now and those likely to emerge in the near future.
Topics and features―including fully updated content:
- Introduces a philosophical framework and tools for understanding and analyzing computer ethics in personal, public, and professional spheres
- Describes the impact of computer technology on issues of security, privacy, anonymity, and civil liberties
- Discusses the security and ethical quagmire in the platforms of the developing metaverse (NEW chapter)
- Examines intellectual property rights in the context of computing, including the risks and liabilities associated with software
- Discusses such key social issues in computing as the digital divide, employee monitoring in the workplace, and risks to physical and mental health
- Reviews the history of computer crime, and the threat of digitally facilitated bullying, harassment, and discrimination
- Considers the ethical challenges arising from online social networks, mobile telecommunication technologies, virtual reality, the Internet of Things and 5G technologies
- Includes learning objectives, discussion questions and exercises throughout
This concise and accessible work addresses the critical ethical and moral issues important to all designers and users of computer technologies. The text incorporates the latest curricula requirements for undergraduate courses in computer science, as well as offers invaluable insights into the social impact and legal challenges posed by the latest generation of computing devices and networks.
Author(s): Joseph Migga Kizza
Series: Undergraduate Topics in Computer Science
Edition: 3
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 342
City: Cham
Preface
Chapter Overview
Audience
Associate-Degree Computing Curricula
CSTA K-12 CS Standards, 2017 Edition
Contents
1 Morality and the Law
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Morality
1.2.1 Moral Theories
1.2.2 Moral Decision Making
1.2.3 Moral Codes
1.2.4 Moral Standards
1.2.5 Guilt and Conscience
1.2.6 Morality and Religion
1.3 Law
1.3.1 The Natural Law
1.3.2 Conventional Law
1.3.3 The Purpose of Law
1.3.4 The Penal Code
1.4 Morality and the Law
1.5 Morality, Etiquettes, and Manners
References
2 Ethics and Ethical Analysis
2.1 Traditional Definition
2.2 Ethical Theories
2.2.1 Consequentialism
2.2.2 Deontology
2.2.3 Human Nature
2.2.4 Relativism
2.2.5 Hedonism
2.2.6 Emotivism
2.3 Functional Definition of Ethics
2.4 Ethical Reasoning and Decision Making
2.4.1 A Framework for Ethical Decision Making
2.4.2 Making and Evaluating Ethical Arguments
2.5 Codes of Ethics
2.5.1 Objectives of Codes of Ethics
2.6 Reflections on Computer Ethics
2.6.1 New Wine in an Old Bottle
2.7 Technology and Values
References
3 Ethics and the Professions
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Evolution of Professions
3.2.1 Origins of Professions
3.2.2 Requirements of a Professional
3.2.3 Pillars of Professionalism
3.3 The Making of an Ethical Professional: Education and Licensing
3.3.1 Formal Education
3.3.2 Licensing Authorities
3.3.3 Professional Codes of Conduct
3.4 Professional Decision Making and Ethics
3.4.1 Professional Dilemmas in Decision Making
3.4.2 Guilt and Making Ethical Decisions
3.5 Professionalism and Ethical Responsibilities
3.5.1 Whistle-Blowing
3.5.2 Harassment and Discrimination
3.5.3 Ethical and Moral Implications
References
4 Anonymity, Security, Privacy, and Civil Liberties
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Anonymity
4.2.1 Anonymity and the Internet
4.2.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Anonymity
4.2.3 Legal View of Anonymity
4.3 Security
4.3.1 Physical Security
4.3.2 Physical Access Controls
4.3.3 Information Security Controls
4.3.4 Operational Security
4.4 Privacy
4.4.1 Definition
4.4.2 Types of Privacy
4.4.3 Value of Privacy
4.4.4 Privacy Implications of the Database System
4.4.5 Privacy Violations and Legal Implications
4.4.6 Privacy Protection and Civil Liberties
4.5 Ethical and Legal Framework for Information
4.5.1 Ethics and Privacy
4.5.2 Ethical and Legal Basis for Privacy Protection
References
5 Intellectual Property Rights and Computer Technology
5.1 Definitions
5.2 Computer Products and Services
5.3 Foundations of Intellectual Property
5.3.1 Copyrights
5.3.2 Patents
5.3.3 Trade Secrets
5.3.4 Trademarks
5.3.5 Personal Identity
5.4 Ownership
5.4.1 The Politics of Ownership
5.4.2 The Psychology of Ownership
5.5 Intellectual Property Crimes
5.5.1 Infringement
5.5.2 The First Sale Doctrine
5.5.3 The Fair Use Doctrine
5.6 Protection of Ownership Rights
5.6.1 Domain of Protection
5.6.2 Source and Types of Protection
5.6.3 Duration of Protection
5.6.4 Strategies of Protection
5.7 Protecting Computer Software Under the IP
5.7.1 Software Piracy
5.7.2 Protection of Software Under Copyright Laws
5.7.3 Protection of Software Under Patent Laws
5.7.4 Protection of Software Under Trademarks
5.7.5 Protection of Software Under Trade Secrets
5.8 Transnational Issues and Intellectual Property
References
6 Social Context of Computing
6.1 Introduction
6.2 The Digital Divide
6.2.1 Access
6.2.2 Technology
6.2.3 Humanware (Human Capacity)
6.2.4 Infrastructure
6.2.5 Enabling Environments
6.3 Obstacles to Overcoming the Digital Divide
6.4 ICT in the Workplace
6.4.1 The Electronic Office
6.4.2 Office on Wheels and Wings
6.4.3 The Virtual Workplace
6.4.4 The Quiet Revolution: The Growth of Telecommuting
6.4.5 Employee Social and Ethical Issues
6.5 Employee Monitoring
6.5.1 Workplace Privacy and Surveillance
6.5.2 Electronic Monitoring
6.6 Employee Health and Productivity in the Workplace
6.6.1 Ergonomics
References
7 Software Issues: Risks and Liabilities
7.1 Definitions
7.1.1 Standards
7.1.2 Reliability
7.1.3 Security
7.1.4 Safety
7.1.5 Quality
7.1.6 Quality of Service
7.2 Causes of Software Failures
7.2.1 Human Factors
7.2.2 Nature of Software: Complexity
7.3 Risk
7.3.1 Risk Assessment and Management
7.3.2 Risks and Hazards in Workplace Systems
7.3.3 Historic Examples of Software Risks
7.4 Consumer Protection
7.4.1 Buyers’ Rights
7.4.2 Classification of Computer Software
7.4.3 The Contract Option
7.4.4 The Tort Option
7.5 Improving Software Quality
7.5.1 Techniques for Improving Software Quality
7.6 Producer Protection
References
8 Computer Crimes
8.1 Introduction
8.2 History of Computer Crimes
8.3 Types of Computer Systems Attacks
8.3.1 Penetration
8.3.2 Denial of Service
8.4 Motives of Computer Crimes
8.5 Costs and Social Consequences
8.5.1 Lack of Cost Estimate Model for Cyberspace Attacks
8.5.2 Social and Ethical Consequences
8.6 Computer Crime Prevention Strategies
8.6.1 Protecting Your Computer
8.6.2 The Computer Criminal
8.6.3 The Innocent Victim
References
9 Cyberbullying, Cyberstalking and Cyber Harassment
9.1 Definitions
9.1.1 Cyberbullying
9.1.2 Cyberstalking
9.1.3 Cyber Harassment
9.2 Types of Cyberbullying
9.2.1 Harassment
9.2.2 Flaming
9.2.3 Exclusion
9.2.4 Outing
9.2.5 Masquerading
9.3 Areas of Society Most Affected by Cyberbullying
9.3.1 Schools
9.3.2 Cyberbullying in the Workplace
9.4 Legislation Against Cyberbullying
9.4.1 Federal Laws
9.4.2 State Laws
9.4.3 International Laws
9.5 Effects of Cyberbullying
9.6 Dealing with Cyberbullying
9.6.1 Awareness
9.6.2 Legislations
9.6.3 Community Support
9.7 Resources
References
10 Evolving Realities: Ethical and Secure Computing in the New Technological Spaces
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Artificial Intelligence
10.2.1 Advances in Artificial Intelligence
10.3 Cyberspace and the Concept of Telepresence
10.4 Securing Cyberspace
10.4.1 Detecting Attacks in Cyberspace
10.4.2 Vulnerability Scanning in Cyberspace
10.4.3 Privacy in Cyberspace
10.5 Social Issues in Cyberspace
10.6 Artificial Intelligence and Ethics
References
11 Ethical, Privacy, and Security Issues in the Online Social Network Ecosystems
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Introduction to Computer Networks
11.2.1 Computer Network Models
11.2.2 Computer Network Types
11.3 Social Networks (SNs)
11.4 Online Social Networks (OSNs)
11.4.1 Types of Online Social Networks
11.4.2 Online Social Networking Services
11.4.3 The Growth of Online Social Networks
11.5 Ethical and Privacy Issues in Online Social Networks
11.5.1 Privacy Issues in OSNs
11.5.2 Strengthening Privacy in OSNs
11.5.3 Ethical Issues in Online Social Networks
11.6 Security and Crimes in Online Social Networks
11.6.1 Beware of Ways to Perpetrate Crimes in Online Social Networks
11.6.2 Defense Against Crimes in Online Social Networks
11.7 Proven Security Protocols and Best Practices in Online Social Networks
11.7.1 Authentication
11.7.2 Access Control
11.7.3 Legislation
11.7.4 Self-regulation
11.7.5 Detection
11.7.6 Recovery
References
12 Virtualization, Virtual Reality and Ethics
12.1 Virtualization
12.2 Different Aspects of Virtualization
12.3 Virtualization of Computing Resources
12.3.1 History of Computing Virtualization
12.3.2 Computing Virtualization Terminologies
12.3.3 Types of Computing System Virtualization
12.3.4 The Benefits of Computing Virtualization
12.4 Virtual Reality/(Virtual Presence)
12.4.1 Different Types of Virtual Reality
12.5 Virtualization and Ethics
12.6 Social and Ethical Implication of Virtualization
12.7 Virtualization Security as an Ethical Imperative
12.7.1 Hypervisor Security
12.7.2 Securing Communications Between Desktop and Virtual Environment
12.7.3 Security of Communication Between Virtual Environments
12.7.4 Threats and Vulnerabilities Originating from a Virtual Environment
References
13 Artificial Intelligence: Ethical and Social Problems of Large Language Models and the Future of Technology
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Definition
13.2.1 Language Models
13.2.2 Large Language Models (LLMs)
13.2.3 Problems with Large Language Models (LLMs)
13.3 Ethical and Social Problems with Large Language Models
13.3.1 Discrimination and Biases
13.3.2 Information Hazards
13.3.3 Misinformation
13.3.4 Privacy and Security Concerns
13.4 The Role of Big Technology Companies
13.5 Overcoming Challenges
13.5.1 Legislative Oversight
13.5.2 Sound AI Ethical Framework
13.6 Next Steps and the Future of AI
References
14 Evolving Cyberspace: The Marriage of 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) Technologies
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Fifth Generation (5G) Technology (G5)
14.2.1 Overview of 5G Wireless Communications
14.2.2 5G Network Architecture and Protocol Stack Perspectives
14.2.3 Technical Challenges of 5G Technology
14.3 The Internet of Things (IoT)
14.3.1 Overview and Growth of Internet of Things
14.3.2 Architecture and Networking of IoT
14.3.3 Challenges of Using TCP/IP Architecture Over the IoT
14.3.4 IoT Governance, Privacy and Security Challenges
14.3.5 Governance and Privacy Concerns
14.3.6 Security Challenges
14.3.7 Autonomy
14.3.8 Computational Constraints
14.3.9 Discovery
14.3.10 Trust Relationships
14.4 Ethical, Social and Legal Impacts of 5G and IoT
14.4.1 Environment
14.4.2 E-waste
14.4.3 Conflict Minerals
14.4.4 Healthy Issues Emanating from 5G and IoT Technologies
14.4.5 Ethics
References
15 Metaverse, the Evolving Realities and Ethics
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Definition
15.3 The Evolution of Metaverse
15.4 The Architecture of Metaverse
15.4.1 Metaverse Avatars
15.4.2 Metaverse Platforms
15.5 Actualization of Metaverse
15.5.1 The Concept of Telepresence
15.5.2 Localization
15.6 Benefits of Metaverse
15.6.1 E-Commerce in Metaverse
15.6.2 Metaverse Billing and Payment Systems
15.7 Social and Ethical Concerns of the Metaverse
15.7.1 Metaverse Immersion and Autonomy
15.7.2 Metaverse and Transparency
15.7.3 Metaverse and Trustworthiness
15.7.4 Metaverse and Privacy
15.7.5 Metaverse and Access Inequality
15.7.6 Interoperability in Metaverse
15.7.7 Metaverse and Freedom of Expression
References
Index
