IFSM 310 – Stage 2 Assignment – Due Sunday

Chapter 7

Computers and Society

7.1 Computer Security

7.1.1 Hardware Loss or Damage

Brokenlaptop

Hardware loss is inevitable. With so many people want- ing the latest and greatest, you could imagine that others might get jealous, or desperate. Hardware theft is promi- nent and a large issue in the world. For whatever reason, peoples personal possessions are stolen. They could be stolen for valuable information, or just to pawn off the items for some quick money. With 1.6 million phones being stolen, this is an issue that needs to be dealt with.[1] Hardware loss is not the only way someone could lose their laptop or Android.[2] Hardware damage can render any of the latest and greatest useless. Whether is was a clogged fan, spilled water, or dropping it on the floor. When that moment arises, you know that it could all be gone within a matter of seconds. System Failure is the complete malfunction of a com- puter system. This may be due to hardware failure, se- vere issues with certain software on the computer, or even a computer virus. Frequently, system failure will cause the computer to freeze, reboot, or stop functioning al-

together and the repercussions of such an event can be devastating for a business. The result is often either the loss of important data, delays in the transfer of impor- tant information, and in some cases even the inability to function properly. An easy example of a system failure can be seen in the lawsuit California issued against SAP Public Services Inc.[3] California’s payroll was affected by SAP’s software solutions which cost the people of the state of California $250 million as well as delaying the paychecks of numerous employees of the California gov- ernment. In this case, there was no loss of data but rather delays in the transfer of information as well as the cor- ruption of it. Some checks were overpaid, others were underpaid. In some instances the incorrect spouses were paid for child support which could have culminated in the court intervening for an unpaid mother or father. Insur- ance benefits were also denied to others because of the system’s inability to transmit data regarding medical de- ductions. It can be easily seen how a system failure can affect multiple people on many levels with a case like this, and how quickly the ability to function properly can be the result. The corruption of data and the inability to transfer it swiftly produced one of the largest debacles in govern- ment at the state level in recent times. Along with hardware loss there are also ways to prevent and deal with unfortunate situations along these lines. Knowing about computer security can prevent many in- cidents from occurring that could result in the loss of per- sonal information as well as the money you have put into your computer. The first tool for containing computer se- curity can simply be just making sure what you have on your computer is information that could not damage your life if it was lost. But we do not live in a perfect world, and sometimes things slip and a credit card statement or a password to important information can be released. In this case, you should take all steps to prepare yourself to deal with that situation before it is too late. Software pro- grams are available and free, however, such as “Adeona” which can be installed very easily onto your desktop. This program tracks the location of laptops, and can even take pictures of the perpetrator if you have a Mac. There is a recovery tool which can send you a text file of the infor- mation contained about the theft of a laptop, which can then be taken to the police to hopefully resolve the issue

198

7.1. COMPUTER SECURITY 199

Computer locked

and bring liberty to the situation. There are other pro- grams like this are available, as well as alarms that can be put on your laptop if someone unplugs it or puts in a wrong password. Steps like this can be taken to pre- vent loss of your computer and help keep your informa- tion safe.[4]

Surge Suppressor

As discussed before, hardware loss is a very unfortunate situation that can result in the loss of important data. The loss of data can be influenced by many things, including power shortages. A way an individual can protect their data is by using different devices that are available to pur- chase and use with their device. Surge suppressors pro- vide an individual with the assurance that their hardware

will be protected from damage in case there are electri- cal fluctuations. Surge suppressors work in a very simple way with few steps. The device protects an individual’s hardware by channeling the extra voltage into the outlet’s grounding wire, preventing the extra voltage from going to the device. However, the device still enables the nor- mal amount of voltage to pass through to the device. An individual can also protect their hardware by investing in a uninterruptable power supplier, otherwise known as a UPS. These devices provide continuous power to the de- vice if the power were to go out for a period of time. Another way that enables individuals to protect their data is by backing up their data. It is important for both busi- nesses, as well as individuals to backup their data. There are multiple ways individuals can do so. One option that is available is to consider remote locations to store data, in case there is system failure at a main location. Another option is to store data through an internet “cloud” system. Overall, it is very important to backup data, regardless if an individual is convinced their data will not get stolen or destroyed. [5]

Locks

WD disk with kensington

One form of physical security that is available on most electronics is the “Kensington Lock” or “Kensington Se- curity Slot” (a.k.a. the “K-slot”). It’s ubiquity amongst electronics has allowed it to become an industry standard on everything from PC cases, to laptops, to monitors. This type of anti-theft protection was patented in 1999 by the company Kryptonite. [6] This security measure is most often used in the scenario of a coffee shop, as if someone was going to run off with a laptop, it would add another level of complexity, making the laptop cumber- some and also raise suspicion in the eyes of observers of a theft. There has not been any physical locking mecha- nism as common as this to date.

Mobile Device Management

The management of mobile devices is very common within institutions such as schools or companies that have mobile devices for their students or employees. The man- agement of mobile devices can apply to many different situations. For example, it can apply to the management of devices owned by the institution. It may also apply

200 CHAPTER 7. COMPUTERS AND SOCIETY

Many schools are now switching from textbooks to tablets so the use of mobile device management has grown

to the management of devices that are connected to the wireless network of the institution. Usually, the IT de- partment of the institution utilizes a third-party software that allows certain restrictions to be placed on particular mobile devices whether it be phones, tablets, or laptops.[7] Some popular softwares include AirWatch which is dis- tributed by VMWare [8] and maas360 which is distributed by IBM.[9] Apple also has their own device management software that is integrated into iOS devices.[10] Some restrictions that may be implemented by mobile device management include the restriction of certain websites or applications. IT may also completely block the ability to download applications or surf the Internet on the de- vices. Although restriction to apps can be implemented, the management of mobile devices also includes the in- stalling of apps onto devices. For example, if an entire company shares information and files through an applica- tion such as DropBox, then the IT department may simply install the application onto every device. This also allows for IT to update the app when needed instead of relying on the individual users to download the update. Another use of mobile device management is the restriction of fea- tures on the phone. For example, IT may restrict access to the camera to avoid pictures being taken within the workplace.[11]

Ruggedized Devices

Ruggedized devices are devices designed to withstand large amounts of physical abuse. There are two differ- ent classifications of ruggedized devices. Semi-rugged devices are able to withstand things like rain and dust, while ultra-rugged devices are able to withstand drops onto hard surfaces. These designs can also protect against accidental beverage spills and small burns. Ruggedized devices are often used by people who work outdoors. For example, construction workers, police officers, fire- fighters, and military personnel will often use ruggedized devices. Construction workers often use weatherproof stereos near worksites that prevent dust from getting in. Police officers will often have rugged laptops in their ve-

Panasonic Toughbook

hicles due to the possibility of extreme weather during investigations. Firefighters need their heart rate monitors and communication devices protected from high temper- atures and the possibility of stray flames. Military person- nel use rugged radios and video cameras during combat. Laptops and phones are among the most popular types of rugged devices.[12] Panasonic, an electronics company, produces a bestselling rugged laptop called a Toughbook. A Toughbook is usually very bulky and has a longer bat- tery life compared to regular laptops.[13] Samsung pro- duces a popular rugged cell phone called the Galaxy S5 Active. The Galaxy S5 Active was engineered for active lifestyles. It is water-resistant and shock-resistant.[14]

Mobile Devices As mobile devices become more com- mon place, new cases and mean of protecting them are becoming more and more common. This is especially prevalent for smart phones. Smart phone are a substan- tial investment, and as they are used quite often, there are many opportunities for the device to be dropped, soaked, or crushed. As people want to protect their device, cases are found on most phones. They can be quite simple, just a piece of formed plastic, or quite advanced, with some completely sealing off the phone from scratches, dust, and full water immersion. Phones are not alone re- garding protective cases. As tablets are used more and more, special cases are being made for their protection as well. Some cases protect the device, and provide a mounting point to use on steering wheels, dashboard, or vehicle windows. Many of the mounts are removable so the device can go from a navigation aid back to a phone in seconds.[15] Cases usually have some kind of screen pro- tector to protect against scratches and sun glare. These protectors are thin pieces of plastic, which stick to the screen of the device. The thin plastic allows for the con-

7.1. COMPUTER SECURITY 201

tinued use of the touch screen, and provides protection. As the plastic gets scratched, it can be replaced.

Front view of iPad Mini in a Pivot Case

The rear of the case with mounting hardware in view.

7.1.2 Encryption

Ordinary hard drives like these may in time be replaced by self- encrypting ones.

As discussed previously in this Wikibook, it is very im- portant to encrypt one’s data and prevent it from being accessed by outside individuals. Two specific encryp- tion measures are full-disk encryption (FDE) and self- encrypting hard drives. Full-disk encryption consists

of encrypting all of the data on a storage medium, not just the individual files. Self-encrypting hard drives are ones that automatically encrypt stored data without the user having to manually do anything to encrypt it. The encryption occurs completely automatically and invisibly to the user from the moment the hard drive is manufac- tured, and they provide full-disk encryption. The encryp- tion cannot be turned off and does not interrupt the work flow of the user. These devices protect data even when employees violate company policy by turning off network security features. SEDs are still rather expensive, so they are not as commonplace now as they might be in the future if costs decrease. They only started shipping in 2009, so it is likely that in the future, they will become cheaper and more common, increasing security standards and helping to keep the data of individual users, compa- nies and corporations, and governmental agencies inac- cessible to and safe from outside forces and hackers.[16]

7.1.3 Software Piracy

Software piracy, a common name for file sharing, is the illegal copying and distribution of software. It is unau- thorized by the copyright holder of the software, and it is a widespread recurrence in the computer era of to- day. If one purchases a software, he or she is not the owner of that particular software, but he or she is only licensed to the software. This means he or she can make copies, but for their own use only, or as stated in the End User License Agreement. In the United States and other countries, it is illegal to make copies of software, movies, CDs, etc., and then redistribute these copies to someone. In countries such as Sweden, copyright law restricts peo- ple to non-commercial sharing. A few common types of software piracy are the following: counterfeit software, OEM unbundling, soft lifting, hard disk loading, cor- porate software piracy, and Internet software piracy.[17] Software piracy is debated currently, with one side stat- ing that it has a negative effect on the economy because it reduces the funding for ongoing developmental efforts, and it prevents users from getting high quality technical support and product updates, while the pro-sharing argu- ment states that people should be allowed to share as they wish, and the financial benefit of corporations granted by Intellectual Property Law is unjust. However, BSA is a common software who is a global organization that forms to advance free, and open world transfer for legitimate software by advocating strong intellectual property pro- tection. The BSA works with many software and com- mercial companies to stop file sharing. What some people may not realize is that after purchasing software, they do not own the software, but have instead purchased a license to use the software. Upon purchasing software, the purchaser has agreed to certain limitations concerning the software, such as only using the software on one computer. The purchaser also agrees to not make any illegal copies or install it on a computer other than

202 CHAPTER 7. COMPUTERS AND SOCIETY

Piracy cartoon

their own. Any illegal act concerning misuse or dupli- cation of software is known as software piracy. There are many ways to prevent and protect against software piracy. One tip is to better educate consumers and busi- nesses of the threat of piracy. Some consumers may be purchasing pirated material without even having knowl- edge of it. It is important for people to use credible sources when purchasing software. Also, it may help to make people more aware of the damage that using pi- rated material can cause. According to the BSA, (Busi- ness Software Alliance) revenue loss in software compa- nies in 2008 reached fifty billion dollars. According to the BSA Global Software Piracy study, fifty seven percent of the Worlds computer users admitted to using pirated soft- ware. Whether it is the unauthorized installation of a pro- gram onto a computer, or the illegal distribution of soft- ware, it is considered software piracy and is punishable by the law. Perhaps educating people on the large deficits software companies experience due to piracy would make the act less prevalent.[18]

7.1.4 Electronic Profiling, Privacy Policy and Spam

Marketing Databases

Different Ways to Use Psychographic Data in Online Marketing

The most types of direct marketing require a database with customer information. With this information the seller can design communication taking into account the individual characteristics of prospective customers, both private individuals and companies. The database is be- ing formed for a considerable time, or being purchased from specialized companies, supplying various special- ized databases. Marketing databases - is the process of creation, maintenance and using of customer information for the purpose of contacting the latter and do the busi- ness. Along with information about the actual customer, has used the services of the company, they should be col- lected information about potential consumers. Databases should be constantly improved based on the accumula- tion of information about the value of the consumer - the frequency and the value of purchases made by him. This method of maintaining the database using the rank- ing values consumer received the name of the method RFM (Recency, Frequency, and Monetary) Value of Purchases. Other information required to replenish the database may include the payment method of purchase, Buyer, the character they buy goods or services. Mar- keting Database will be most effective if it is focused on building relationships. Direct marketing does not have to be like a “single shot”, which are intended to entice buy- ers to a rapid response before they become distrustful. Building relationships with customers should be based on their life values (method CLV). Only in this case they will be long-term and will bring tangible benefits. However, before you start to build a relationship, you need to care- fully select the most prospective buyers who can make the biggest contribution to the volume of sales made. To se- lect these buyers, marketers often develop consumer pro- files. Building relationships with customers by CLV is impossible without a comprehensive study of the charac- teristics and properties of consumer goods, as well as de- termine the degree of customer satisfaction and the avail- ability of personalized information. However, with the

7.1. COMPUTER SECURITY 203

information is too personal should be very careful, as their use in communication can lead to a negative reaction from consumers.[19]

Electronic Profiling

Amazon uses electronic profiling to make suggestions as to what people might like to purchase

Electronic profiling is when marketing companies collect information about an individual. They can get the infor- mation from purchases that a person makes on the Inter- net, as well as public information like births, marriages, vehicle registrations, etc. An electronic profile usually consists of a person’s name, age, telephone number, mar- ital status, number and age of children, spending habits, and previous purchases. This is how online websites like Amazon can make suggestions of what someone might want to buy.[20] That information can then be sold to com- panies who may ask for it for marketing purposes. Most businesses that collect personal information have a pri- vacy policy, which will tell you how your personal infor- mation is going to be used and as long as the business follows what they say in their privacy policy it is legal for them to sell your personal information. The prob- lem with this is that sometimes privacy policies can be unclear in their intentions and they can be hard to deci- pher. Companies may also change their privacy policy often and people don’t take the time to read through it. Electronic profiling also leads to behavioral advertising, where someone might see advertisements about things in their area or about people that are around the same age and gender as them. It is kind of crazy that the computer knows that about someone and then can apply it to the things that person looks at.[21]

The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) is the main advocator of electronic profiling. Electronic profiling has become an entire industry, thus the DMA voices

People’s Information is used for Marketing Databases.

against privacy policies that would keep consumer’s in- formation from being used for marketing and advertis- ing. Profiling data has been sold long before the inter- net, however, online tracking has made it develop even more. While most of this information is sold for mar- keting or spam purposes, it can also be used for individ- ual use. Websites such as whitepages.com and switch- board.com allow anyone to search for a person’s name and city, and results show up giving personal informa- tion including their house address, phone number, email address, and relatives. There are ways to avoid having your information out in the open. First of all, there are some common sense rules such as limiting how many or- ganizations or stores information is given to, not giving out an email address when it is optional, and not giving out your social security number. According to the Elec- tronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), other ways to self-defend your privacy include the following: reading privacy policies, no matter how tedious or long it may be; being aware of when companies change their privacy policies, as many companies change them often; opting- out from pre-approved credit companies and from infor- mation sharing; making sure that when you opt-out from these things, that the permanent box is selected or else many times you can be re-added after a period of time; requesting a “temporary” change of address when filling out a Postal Service Change of Address Card so that the information does end up in any database and thus cannot end up in a profiling database; and lastly, be careful of cat- alogue merchants and be sure to ask that they do not sell your information; never buy anything from a telemarketer call or an infomercial, as they almost always are putting your information on an automatic “responder list”. It is always good to be cautious when giving information out, no matter what organization or personal is receiving it.[22]

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Privacy Policy

25/06/2012 Privacy Policy « CubeMe

1/2cubeme.com/blog/privacy/

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Privacy Policy This privacy statement covers all of the CubeMe! Media Sites. Please read this statement carefully before accessing CubeMe! Media Sites. Your use of CubeMe! Media Sites indicates your agreement to abide by the Terms in effect.

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Third Party Cookies Some of our business partners may use cookies on our site (for example, advertisers). However, CubeMe! Media has no access to or control over these cookies, once we have given permission for them to set cookies for advertising. This privacy statement covers the use of cookies by CubeMe! Media only and does not cover the use of cookies by any advertisers.

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Business Transitions In the event CubeMe! Media goes through a business transition, such as a merger, acquisition by another company, or sale of a portion of its assets, users’ personal information will, in most instances, be part of the assets transferred.

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Privacy Policy « CubeMe

A privacy policy is a document that explains how an orga- nization handles any customer, client or employee infor- mation gathered in its operations.[23] It usually declares what specific information is collected and whether it is kept confidential or shared with or sold to other firms, researchers or sellers.[24] The policy should also explain if data may be left on a user’s computer, such as cook- ies. According to best practices, the policy should dis- close if data may be shared with or sold to third parties and if so, what the purpose is.[25] Personal information can be anything that can be used to identify an individ- ual, not limited to but including name, address, date of birth, marital status, contact information, ID issue and expiry date, financial records, credit information, medi- cal history, where one travels, and intentions to acquire goods and services. Most websites make their privacy policies available to site visitors.[26] For example, Face- book has updated its privacy policy to make it easier for users to understand, cutting around 70 percent of the previous privacy policy.[27] Critics also question if con- sumers even read privacy policies or can understand what they read. . A 2001 study by the Privacy Leadership Ini- tiative claimed only 3% of consumers read privacy poli- cies carefully, and 64% briefly glanced at, or never read, privacy policies.[28]

Spam

Spam

Spam, officially known as Unsolicited Commercial Email (UCE) or Unsolicited Bulk Email (UBE), is the use of electronic messaging systems to send unsolicited bulk messages.[29] Spam can be sent to personal email ad- dresses as well as to cell phones sent as a text message. Some frequently seen spam examples include advertising for specifically health-related products, pornography, and business opportunities, such as buying and selling stock. With a world full of technology and information around us, individuals can easily receive any email address from a number of ways. Companies receive email addresses either directly from the individual, or through 3rd par- ties that have a partnership with the other. Personal in- formation can be entered into a database and then spam can be sent out to those individuals. Spam can also be sent over social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, or Google+. Many email clients now have a separate folder marked “spam.” This is helpful to individuals because they will now be able to see what is considered “spam” before they open the email or attachment. With text mes- sages, most people ignore or delete those messages. Mar- keting databases are easy ways to get on a spam distribu- tion list.[30] Surprisingly, most spam is considered illegal, however there are certain guidelines that hackers can fol- low to be able to send spam emails or messages. It is difficult to stop the spamming, but in recent years, many have been convicted of spamming materials being sent to customers and individuals.

Protecting Against Spam

One way of safeguarding against spam is to protect the privacy of personal information. Individuals should pro- tect your e-mail address and other personal information.

7.1. COMPUTER SECURITY 205

Get rid of unwanted emails

Individuals can also surf the Web anonymously, opt out of some marketing activities, and use filters to limit your exposure to spam e-mails. One suggestion to avoid spam is to have two e-mail addresses. You should have one e- mail for personal address for family, friends, colleagues, and other trusted resources. The second e-mail should be a disposable or throw-away e-mail address which can be used for online shopping and signing up for free offers. One valuable piece of information is that less-legitimate sources of spam have unsubscribe links that do not work or that are present only to verify that your e-mail address is genuine! One online article suggests using the black- list option in your e-mail. Blacklists permanently block emails form selected senders or servers. Once you black- list a domain, server, or sender, those senders simply can- not contact you. The article also suggests to report spam to your e-mail provider, this will help over all to address the spam problem because the more you report spam the more your e-mail provider can work behind the scene to filter and block the sender, domain, or server from send- ing e-mails to you and other legitimate, personal e-mail addresses. Also, always be cautious of revealing personal information online. Lastly, make sure to use filters and opt out, which refers to following a predesigned proce- dure to remove yourself from marketing lists, or other- wise preventing your personal information from being obtained by or shared with others. When you opt out, you are instructing companies you do business with not to share your information with third parties.[31]

Properly Dispose of Hardware Containing Data

A perfect way to unintentionally, yet practically hand your sensitive information to computer thieves would be carelessly throwing away your hardware containing that information, thinking it is no longer worth anything.

Wipe, not just delete!

When throwing away an old computer, hard disk, or any other defective storage medium, it is more than crucial to make sure there is absolutely nothing left in that computer or storage medium. The simple “delete” button will not erase the data permanently. Instead, it merely deletes the pointer between the directory entry and the file so that new space is created for storage of new files. While old physical documents such as papers, CDs, and DVDs that are no longer needed should be shredded, the hard drives of computers should be disposed of by wiping the data using special disk-wiping software. While the data on a hard drive that is merely deleted can still be reformat- ted, and therefore recovered, completely wiping that data makes it very difficult, and even impossible for that data to be recovered. Two other ways to disposing old data is overwriting and degaussing. Overwriting data also makes it very difficult for the overwritten information to be recovered. Addi- tionally, old data can be degaussed by exposing the data to a very strong magnetic field so that the data is magnet- ically erased from the magnetic media. This concept of wiping any signs of data in an old medium is so important that even all businesses have to develop and implement a media sanitization or data destruction policy, for always destroying data that is no longer needed. [32]

7.1.5 Electronic Surveillance

Computer Monitoring Software

One popular tool of electronic surveillance is computer monitoring software. This software is used specifically for the purpose of recording keystrokes, logging the pro- grams or Web sites accessed, or otherwise monitoring someone’s computer activity. Some of the highest rated computer monitoring software includes SpyAgent and

206 CHAPTER 7. COMPUTERS AND SOCIETY

Do you get the feeling you're being watched?

WebWatcher.[33] It is legal to use this software, either on your own computer or the computers of your employees. However, installing it on another computer without the owner’s knowledge is typically illegal. Considering that this software is created to pretty much make sure your kids, spouse, or employees aren't doing anything on the computer that you don't want them to be doing, there are some ethical issues to consider. On the one hand, some- times kids need help building self-control and avoiding predators so having their internet time monitored can be helpful for parents to use as a teaching tool. On the other hand, if you are supposedly in a loving and trusting ro- mantic relationship, one could argue that you shouldn't be spying on them to be sure that they aren't cheating. As humans, we enjoy being trusted to do the right thing... and we get less credit for doing what we're supposed to do if put into an environment where there is no oppor- tunity to get away with something dishonest. Still, com- puter monitoring software continues to be popular, and that isn't likely to end in a global culture that grows in- creasingly paranoid.

Employee Monitoring

A typical surveillance system monitoring work production

Employees need to be very aware of their actions while working on the clock. Now, more than ever before, companies can monitor exactly what their employees

are doing or saying and how productive and efficient they are being while on the clock. Phone calls can be screened, emails can all be archived, website browsing can be tracked, and their every movement can be watched through cameras. Some practices are more common in different workplaces. For example, retail stores gen- erally keep their employees under close surveillance to make sure they are not allowing for theft, or partaking in it themselves. Other office positions can remote to the desktop of its employees and see exactly what is open on their screen. Some more extreme cases include GPS based systems that are installed in company cars, for ex- ample, to make sure the vehicle is within the designated areas. Some individuals see this as a breach of their pri- vacy, but employers are more concerned with the pro- ductivity, safety, and liability of their employees. An al- ternative to the continuous monitoring would be frequent training and education. Employers worry about the new avenues for individuals to misbehave at work due to the advances in technology.[34]

Video Surveillance

Video surveillance

Essentially, the idea of video surveillance is exactly what it sounds like: the use of video cameras to survey an area of monitor what is going on. We see examples of this ev- ery day: traffic cameras, police car cameras, ATMs, most retail stores, and even many mobile phones. The world of technology expanding so much that it is becoming in- creasingly difficult to find places that are not under some sort of surveillance. Many offices and schools implement these systems to keep track of students/employees and en- sure they have a visual record of an incident if anything were to happen. Police use this in their cars to obtain

7.1. COMPUTER SECURITY 207

Video surveillance sign

a record of their activities on the job. Retail stores and ATMs use them to reduce crime/theft. Most of us have, at one point or another, waved at those small black and white television screens that show us “on TV” in stores, when the truth is we were waving at the video camera recording our every action for someone to review later on. And, more shockingly, the photos and videos peo- ple take today just using their phones can be used to link persons to crimes, events, locations, and so much more. while the expansion of video surveillance does cre- ate some privacy concerns, it has been useful (especially combined with other technology like facial recognition) in solving crimes like discovering the people responsible for the Boston bombing, as well as many other crimes.[35] There are multiple problems with video surveillance other than privacy concerns. First off, politicians are trying to push for more video surveillance cameras to curb violent activities like terrorist attacks or murders. The only prob- lem is that video surveillance will not stop these actions, even though it might help find the culprit. The person committing the action is not deterred by the fact of them being on camera, and in some cases the individual ac- tually wants to be filmed to become infamous on news coverage of their actions. Another issue is the abuse of the video surveillance cameras. Reviewers of video cam- eras, mostly government officials, can blackmail people they are observing. An instance of this was when an of- ficial reviewed tape near a gay club and searched license plates to find the backgrounds of the men in the club to see if they were married in order to extort money. Other situations where this can happen are to prevent activists from meeting for racial, ethnic, or religious causes. A third issue is the fact that there aren’t many limits or con- trols on surveillance systems, and soon enough our every move will be watched by our government. This does lead to a privacy concern, but it should be noted. Many peo- ple like their privacy and video surveillance cameras are

slowly chipping away at this right of the people. In to- tal, there are many advantages and disadvantages to video surveillance.[36]

The military using electronic surveillance

As technology evolved so did the advancements in video surveillance. One of these many advances is All-Weather Radio Frequency Surveillance. This security system makes use of radio frequency detection to detect things even under heavy weather conditions such as fog. This is used by the military in detecting intruders. Another in- novation is something called SafeZone, which is a tech- nology that can spot the presence of weapons by detecting the shape of firearms. The technology also triggers things such as calling law enforcemnt or locking doors. Maybe one of the most useful innnovations is that of High Def- inition Video. Thanks to high definition video it has be- come easier for video surveillance to detect threats and compare faces to the criminal database. One innovation that is helpful for retailers is that of surveillance feeds on smartphones. By being able to put the surveillance feeds of cameras on smartphones it makes it easier for retail- ers to check their stores even while on the go. There’s also the fact that surveillance is now offered as a ser- vice. This makes having video surveillance more acces- sible even for those who don't know how to use video surveillance. Even though video surveillance is some- thing that some people don't accept, hopefully technology can still further improve video surveillance in order to at least try and make the world a little safer.[37]

Employee Monitoring

Employee monitoring refers to companies recording or observing the actions of employees while on the job. Common employee monitoring activities include screen- ing telephone calls, reviewing e-mail, and tracking com- puter and internet usage. Usually, the primary motive is to monitor internet usage for legal liability, but monitor- ing employee productivity can be another reason. Em- ployee monitoring may sound unethical to the point of it being illegal; however, legally, employees have little re- course, and the few cases brought up to court tend to go against the employee.[38] An increasingly popular way of

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Always watching

tracking employees comes in the form of smart of RFID- enabled ID cards. These cards are often used for ac- cess control (entering a building; automatically locking a computer when a certain distance is reached), but track- ing an employee using GPS is also possible. Compre- hensive employee monitoring systems can be expensive, so alternatives such as employee training and education are explored. Regardless of the techniques used, busi- nesses should inform employees about their monitoring practices, even though they are not required to by U.S. law. However, legislation is starting to address employee monitoring. For example, several states are considering to prevent employers from implanting employees with RFID chips without the employee’s consent. As of cur- rent, there are no strict laws in the U.S. surrounding em- ployee monitoring as the benefits of security, productivity measurement, and legal compliance outweigh the poten- tial negatives.

Presence Technology

Presence technology is the ability of one device con- nected to a network to recognize and identify another de- vice on the same network. This gives the ability for one device to tell the other device’s status, such as if it is being used or available for communication. There are many dif- ferent ways to implement this technology, including soft- ware, GPS, or RFID. A good example of this technology can be seen in Instant Messaging programs. A user is able to see whether or not other people are online and active on the messenger. Presence technology is an important part of the 3G wireless network.[39] Mobile phones use this technology all the time, such as being able to share your location with someone through GPS or seeing if the other person is typing on iMessage. Not only is this tech- nology good for personal use but also for corporate use. Presence management can be used in many methods, for example to see if a certain employee is available to help

Instant Messengers use presence technology so users can see who is available to chat.

a customer at the moment. Most of the time the user can change settings in order to allow certain features of pres- ence technology to be activated or not in order to protect their privacy.

7.1.6 Software Piracy and Digital Coun- terfeiting

Digital Counterfeiting

100 USD watermark

7.1. COMPUTER SECURITY 209

Digital counterfeiting is using computers and other digi- tal equipment to make illegal copies of currency, checks, collectibles, and others. It is important to be able to pre- vent digital counterfeiting that way the value of the cur- rency (if that is what is being counterfeited) will not lose its value. The prevention of counterfeiting is a concern of everyone and should not be taken lightly. The Trea- sury Department makes a new design of the currency ev- ery 7 to 10 years in order to not have the money all stay the same. New features on the currency help to make it harder or even impossible to remake. Watermarks and security threads are a few ways that the Treasury uses to help make the digital counterfeiting not possible. Wa- termarks are recognizable images on papers that can be viewed through transmitting light. On the 5 dollar bill, a 5 was added to the right of the portrait, while previously it was a watermark of Abraham Lincoln. Another water- mark was added on the 5 dollar bill, it was a column of three smaller 5s and they are to the left of the portrait.[40] These small changes really do overall help with being able to prevent counterfeiting since they are harder to remake.

Software Piracy

Anti-Stop Online Piracy Act

The unauthorized (and therefore illegal) copying of a computer program is known as Software Piracy. It is a widespread problem that often proves difficult to harness because computers are quickly and easily able to create exact copies of a single program. It is estimated that 42% of all software installed on personal computers globally (about 20% of all software in the U.S. and at least 90% in five countries) is installed illegally, leading to an an- nual monetary loss of $59 billion worldwide to software vendors. The act of pirating software includes, but is not limited to -- making illegal copies of programs and dis- tributing them to others, businesses extending software to more devices than permitted in the end-user license

agreement, retailers installing unlicensed copies of soft- ware on purchased computers, and illegally duplicating software and its packaging which are then passed off as legitimate. Pirated software, CDs, and DVDs may be downloaded from Web sites and peer-to-peer file sharing services, sold at online auctions, or disseminated other ways (regardless of profit), all of which are illegal. The SOPA has aimed to stop the illegality of pirating online materials, but it still remains illegal in the United States and most other countries. [41]

7.1.7 Computer Security and Privacy Leg- islation

Computer Security

Security Block

Computer security is the protection of computing sys- tems and data that can be stored or accessed. Being educated about the computers security will benefit the user by enabling people to carry out their jobs, educa- tion, and research supporting critical business process, as well as, protecting personal and sensitive information. Good security standards found that 10% of the security safeguards are technical and the other 90% security safe- guards rely on the computer user to adhere to good com- puting practices. When using a computer, it benefits the user by understanding how to keep their computer and data secure. Some key steps are to use secured passwords, making sure it’s personal that no one will discover and that you always will remember it, in addition to, making sure the computer is protected, not clicking on unknown links, and not downloading unknown files or programs onto the computer. To help reduce the risk, look out for padlocks that appear in the URL bar before entering any personal information. This leads to the risks of the security of per- sonal information, loss of business information or loss of employee and public trust. Other risks can be known for expensive reporting requirements in case of securing per- sonal, financial or health information.[42]

210 CHAPTER 7. COMPUTERS AND SOCIETY

The U.S. Safe Web Act of 2006

The U.S. Safe Web Act was brought about in December 2006; the purpose of which was claimed to protect con- sumers from Internet fraud. With the growing popularity and growth of the Internet, this has become an increas- ingly dangerous threat. The Internet is consumed with fraudulent users, spyware, and telemarketing, and this law sought to put an end to some of this fraud. It gave the Fed- eral Trade Commission (FTC) a decent deal more author- ity than they had previously had before it was passed, in hopes of protecting the consumers that use the Internet on a daily basis. There are a few things that the law changed that had not previously been allowed. First, it allowed the FTC to share information with foreign law enforcements and also aid them in investigations. In addition, it allows them to gain information from public law enforcement of- ficials that they would not have previously been allowed to receive lawfully. This act also gave them more power and tools in consumer investigations. Finally, the act seems to strengthen the United States powers with other foreign countries, and allows them to share and work together in ways that previously would not have been allowed. In conclusion, it seems as though the whole purpose of the bill was to give the government more power, and to allow them to lawfully impose in more ways than before.[43]

Other Legislation Related to Privacy

Privacy is a contentious issue in current discussion

Related to the issues of computer privacy and personal privacy in general are the Do-Not-Call Implementation Act of 2003 and the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003. Both laws were created with the hopes of ensuring protection of privacy, yet whether or not these laws have accom- plished this remains in question. The Do-Not-Call Im- plementation Act was designed to work in unison with the National Do Not Call Registry, which began in 2003 as

well. This was developed to give individuals more con- trol over the telemarketing calls that reach their house- holds. The Do-Not-Call Implementation Act relates to the National Do Not Call Registry specifically in that it allowed for the enforcement of the registry by allowing for the Federal Trade Commision to collect fees for its maintenance.[44] U.S. Consumers can register by phone or online, and phone numbers now remain on the registry permanently because of the Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007. The CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 was designed to address the issue of unsolicited email messages (e.g. spam). Ac- cording to the Bureau of Consumer Protection, the law covers all commercial messages, and it applies to not just business-to-customer messages but business-to-business messages as well.[45] The maximum penalty is $16,000 per violation, yet the effectiveness of this act remains in question because it remains largely unenforced. Critics assert that the law creates problems for state laws that would have “provided victims with practical means of redress.”[46]

7.1.8 Review

7.1.9 Key Terms

Hardware theft The theft of computer hardware [47]

System failure The complete malfunction of a com- puter system

Freeware Copyrighted software that may be used free of charge [48]

Full disk encryption (FDE) A technology that en- crypts everything stored on a storage medium automatically, without any user interaction.[49]

Self-encrypting hard drive A hard drive that uses full disk encryption (FDE) [50]

Ruggedized device A device (such as a portable com- puter or mobile phone) that is designed to with- stand much more physical abuse than its conven- tional counterpart [51]

Surge suppressor A device that protects a computer system from damage due to electrical fluctuations [52]

Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) A device con- taining a built-in battery that provides continuous power to a computer and other connected compo- nents when the electricity goes out [53]

7.1. COMPUTER SECURITY 211

Disaster recovery plan A written plan that describes the steps a company will take following the occur- rence of a disaster [54]

Software piracy The unauthorized copying of a com- puter program

Digital counterfeiting The use of computers or other types of digital equipment to make illegal copies of currency, checks, collectibles, and other items.[55]

Marketing database A collection of data about people that is stored in a large database and used for mar- keting purposes

Opt out To request that you be removed from marketing activities or that your information not be shared with other companies [56]

Presence technology Technology that enables one computing device (such as a computer or mobile phone) to locate and identify the current status of another device on the same network [57]

7.1.10 Review Questions

1. Observing or reviewing employees’ actions while they are on the job is _____. 2. _____ _____ Software can be used to record an indi- vidual’s computer usage, such as capturing images of the screen, recording the actual keystrokes used, or creating a summary of Web sites and programs accessed. 3. ______ _____ is the use of video cameras to monitor activities of individuals, such as employees or individuals in public locations, for work-related or crime-prevention purposes. 4. True or False. Electronic profiling is the act of using electronic means to collect a variety of in-depth informa- tion about an individual, such as name, address, income, and buying habits. 5. Unsolicited, bulk e-mail sent over the Internet is ____. 6. A device that protects a computer system from damage due to electrical fluctuations is ____. 7. True or False. Encryption can be used for privacy purposes, in addition to security purposes. 8. Color copying money is an example of ____. 9. True or False. Very few major U.S. companies moni- tor the online activities of their employees. 10. The rights of individuals and companies to control how information about them is collected and used. Answers 1. Employee Monitoring 2. Computer Monitoring 3. Video Surveillance 4. True 5. spam 6. Surge suppres- sor 7. True 8. Filter 9. False 10. Information privacy

[1] http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/06/ with-1-6-million-smart-phones-stolen-last-year-efforts-under-way-to-stem-the-losses/ index.htm

[2] http://www.android.com/

[3] http://www.allgov.com/usa/ca/news/top-stories/ state-sues-sap-over-failed-payroll-system-in-yet-another-tech-failure-131122? news=851725

[4] http://adeona.cs.washington.edu/

[5] http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/surge_protector. html

[6] Security anchor/tether assemblage for portable articles: U.S. Patent 6,081,9746,317,936 and 6,360,405 (Cor- nelius McDaid, John Ristuccia, Kryptonite Corporation - priority date: 1999-06-21)

[7] http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/M/mobile_device_ management.html

[8] http://www.air-watch.com/solutions/ mobile-device-management

[9] http://www.maas360.com/products/ mobile-device-management/

[10] https://www.apple.com/ipad/business/it/management. html

[11] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_device_ management

[12] Understanding Computers 14th Ed. by Deborah Morley & Charles Parker

[13] http://www.panasonic.com/business/toughbook/ fully-rugged-laptop-toughbook-31.asp

[14] http://www.att.com/cellphones/samsung/ galaxy-s-5-active.html#fbid=pGXpDqukON3

[15] http://www.pivotcase.com

[16] http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/ Self-encrypting-drives-SED-the-best-kept-secret-in-hard-drive-encryption-security

[17] http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/software_piracy. html

[18] http://www.safenet-inc.com/software-monetization/ software-protection/

[19] http://www.marketing-schools.org/types-of-marketing/ database-marketing.html

[20] http://www.geek.com/mobile/ automated-electronic-profiling-the-art-and-science-550246/

[21] http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/73966.html

[22] https://epic.org/privacy/profiling/

[23] http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/privacy-policy

[24] http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/ privacy-policy.html

[25] http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/privacy-policy

212 CHAPTER 7. COMPUTERS AND SOCIETY

[26] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privacy_policy

[27] http://www.techtimes.com/articles/20324/20141117/ facebook-updates-privacy-policy-releases-basics-help-protect. htm

[28] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privacy_policy

[29] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_(electronic)

[30] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database_marketing

[31] https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/ openforum/articles/7-ways-to-get-rid-of-spam-forever/

[32] http://www.infosec.gov.hk/english/computer/disposal. html

[33] http://monitoring-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

[34] http://www.huizenga.nova.edu/Jame/articles/ employee-monitoring.cfm

[35] http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/26/tech/innovation/ security-cameras-boston-bombings/

[36] https://www.aclu.org/technology-and-liberty/ whats-wrong-public-video-surveillance

[37] http://www.cio.com/article/2375438/physical-security/ 5-innovations-that-make-video-surveillance-more-effective. html

[38] http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/iie/v9n2/ brother.html

[39] http://searchunifiedcommunications.techtarget.com/ definition/presence-technology

[40] http://www.newmoney.gov/currency/5.htm

[41] http://ng.cengage.com/static/nb/ui/index.html?nbId= 7345&nbNodeId=1013914#!&parentId=1013950

[42] http://it.ucmerced.edu/security/ information-security-awareness-training/ what-computer-security

[43] http://www.ftc.gov/reports/ us-safe-web-act-first-three-years-federal-trade-commission-report-congress

[44] https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/108/hr395

[45] http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/ bus61-can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business

[46] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAN-SPAM_Act_of_ 2003

[47] http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_hardware_theft_ and_vandalism

[48] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeware

[49] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_encryption

[50] http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/ Self-encrypting-drives-Whats-holding-back-SED-hard-drive-encryption-security

[51] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugged_computer

[52] http://www.thefreedictionary.com/surge+suppressor

[53] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninterruptible_power_ supply

[54] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disaster_recovery_plan

[55] http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/The_Computer_ Revolution/Digital_Counterfeiting

[56] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opt-out

[57] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telepresence

7.2 Ethics

7.2.1 Intellectual Property Rights

FAQ Trademark License FAQ

Intellectual property rights are the legal rights which cre- ators are entitled to. Creators are the people who pro- duced intellectual property which are creative works that they have originally made. With these rights, creators can choose what can legally be done to the work and other rules that need to be followed. There are a vari- ety of original works that can have property rights. Some of these include: written work, drawings, graphics, and many more. Having rights is very important because respect should be given to someone who has original thoughts and can put those thoughts into creative work. There is a company called WIPO which are a self-funding agency that has copyrights, patents, trademarks, indus- trial designs, and also geographical indications used in e- commerce. This system is around because they recognize that creative works need to be protected by law and that they are around to support a creative environment. This company even has a magazine which displays the work that they have protected and boosts the work of creators worldwide. They also run workshops and have different forms of training to help innovators improve their skills and become familiar with new developments. The ability to have an agency support you and your work is a great step in the world of creativity, and keeping those intellec- tual property rights is what will continue to help creators flourish.[1]

7.2. ETHICS 213

Copyright

Copyrights are there to protect individuals’ work, such as literature, art and music. Enacted in 1976, Copyrights give the original creator rights over what they created. Even if you die, you still retain rights 70 years after your death. So let’s say you buy a CD from Zomboy,[2] that does not give you the right to do whatever you want with his music. Even though it is now your property, the artist still holds rights over the songs. Often times with trying to prevent piracy, many things will have digital watermarks, a slight change to content that most cannot see but iden- tifies copyright holder.

Trademark Symbols

Trademarks are words, phrases, symbols, designs, or a combination of these that are used as an identifier in or- der to help consumers identify and distinguish one prod- uct/service from another one which might be similar. This is also referred to as their “logo”. Trademarks are

usually registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPO)and use the letter R enveloped in a cir- cle next to the logo to signify this. Trademarks which are claimed but unregistered are allowed to use the print tm alongside they're logo to represent that a claim has been made so as to deter others from using it. The purpose of a trademark is to protect the logo from being used by competitors who may want to “knock off” a more rep- utable company, though trademarks also protect domain names as well. Many companies want to set up a website using a domain name which matches their product so a consumer can instinctively find they're web address, and a trademark will often safeguard against another company using it.[3]

Patents are similar to Copyrights and Trademarks but protect a person’s invention rather than their literary ac- complishments or company logos. Patents are usually granted for a 20 year period and legally authorize the sole rights of an individual to manufacture or produce that which s/he invented. Often it is a unique product but it can also be a unique process such as the Born-Haber Cycle.

7.2.2 Ethics

do YOU have computer ethics?

The general definition of the word “ethics” defines the elements important to humans’ morals. Ethics could be referred to as specific values, standards, rules, and agree- ments. For example, not being involved in software piracy is a matter of ethics. Computer ethics is a set of morals that regulate the use of computers. It is impor- tant for computer users to be aware of the ethical use of copyrighted material, the ethical use of resources and in- formation, and ethical use of school, company, and em- ployee information.[4] Common issues of computer ethics are the following: privacy concerns, how computer af-

214 CHAPTER 7. COMPUTERS AND SOCIETY

fects society, and intellectual property rights. It is a very common and easy practice to burn a CD or movie for a friend. However, another option would be to tell the friend to buy the CD or movie as an ethical alternative. The privacy of another person is also an ethical issue of today. People’s information is easily accessible through the computer; the ethical solution would be to not access another person’s private information unless given permis- sion. Ethics certainly guide our behavior, and it is the source of the acts we will and will not part take in.[5]

Young people use cell phones so often that they might not even realize that using them on a test is cheating.

One ethical issue introduced by the increased prevalence of new technology is the rise in cheating among students using technology. As students have more technology, they naturally have more ways to cheat—ways that adult teachers who don't use all the new technology might not be aware of. 35% of students in one study admitted to cheating by using a phone. This can be done by storing notes on a phone and looking at it in class, texting some- one outside of the class for an answer, and so on. A shock- ingly large number of teenagers seem to not even 'realize' that this is cheating; around or over 20% didn't think that it was. They're so used to having their cell phones at- tached to themselves as a part of their body that they don't realize that it actually isn't something they're supposed to be using at all times, and they saw no difference between screaming an answer across a class room and covertly tex- ting it to a friend.[6] Young people need to be aware that cheating is cheating even with technology so they don't get in trouble for academic dishonesty, and faculty need

to be aware of how students might be cheating using their phones, iPads, etc. to prevent it in the classroom.

7.2.3 History of Computer Ethics

1980’s Employee

Computer ethics is a concept that is growing larger ev- ery day with new advanced technology. Computer ethics first came about in the 1970’s as computers were becom- ing integrated into homes. Computers today are used at home, in schools, and in powerful companies. This field has taken ethics to a whole new level, especially due to privacy issues found throughout various businesses. This form of ethics is also now offered to study at many uni- versities around the world. Computer ethics includes the various philosophical aspects of ethics, as well as psycho- logical and sociological interpretations. When the field was first discovered in the 1970’s, applied ethics was used to describe the new concept. Applied ethics consisted of a combination of utilitarianism, as well as Kant ethics. At the time there was much controversy to what comput- ers would bring to society. Some thought that computers would create more ethical issues, whereas others thought it put a so-called “twist” on old ethics. In the 1980’s the computer was thought to be the closest object to a univer- sal tool available to individuals. In essence, the integra- tion of the computer into every day society was not easy. The generation of the computer was new, as well as excit- ing. But nobody had used it before, including businesses and individuals. There would have to be some form of ethical guidelines to using these new products that nobody had much experience with. Nowadays, computer ethics covers a wide variety of topics such as: computers in the workplace, computer crime, professional responsibility, and privacy and anonymity. [7]

7.2. ETHICS 215

Napster Logo

Ethical Use of Music

The sharing of music over the internet has continuously been a problem over the past few years and it is still a major problem today. The music controversy began with Napster, a peer-to-peer file sharing web application that was created to allow users to share music files via the in- ternet. Napster originally started as a small web applica- tion for a few friends to share music on, but as the ap- plication grew in users, it began to strike the attention of the music industry. Some artists, specifically Metal- lica and Dr. Dre who filed a law suit against Napster, were outraged at the web application and in 2001, Nap- ster finally closed due to the losing of a lawsuit against the Recording Industry Association of America. Napster and other peer-to-peer sharing websites that still exist to- day, such as The Pirate Bay, Mediafire, and Megaupload, are a large controversy because the copying of songs for non-commercial use is legal under the fair use concept,[8] however, downloading files from a peer-to-peer website without compensating the artist is a violation of copyright law under Digital Millennium Copyright Act There are several websites that can be used to convert YouTube videos to a MP3 format you can down load to your computer. The most well known of these pro- grams is called ClipConverter, but there are other pro- grams. ClipConverter is a free online-based service con- verts and online video to a MP4 or MP3, and then these files can be downloaded to your computer. There have been similar programs in the past, but these have been deactivated due to pressure from Google, the owner of YouTube[9]. ClipConverter converter continues to oper- ate because of the guidelines and rules placed on users. Users are allowed to download the videos for fair use, meaning personal, non-commercial use. Personal use of a video is legal, but if a user sells the video for profit, or passes it off as his/her own, that is a copyright violation,

and illegal. As a condition of using the ClipConverter service, the user agrees to only use the video for personal use, and agrees to not involve ClipConverter in any type of copyright lawsuit brought against the user. It is because of this policy and other strict user rules and policies that allow ClipConverter to operate in a legal way.

New youtube logo

To combat the infringement of copyright law due to il- legal file sharing, the music industry began placing Dig- ital Rights Management (DRM) control on downloaded files so that they couldn’t be shared. However, this also stopped users from being able to transfer the files to other personal devices. Today, many music downloading ser- vices, such as Apple’s iTunes, have switched to MP3 or MP4 formats to allow users to view files on multiple per- sonal devices.

Film Piracy

The illegal copying and distribution of movies and TV shows is called film piracy. The rate of which people commit film piracy has been growing exponentially since 2004. This is most likely due to the fact that online peer- to-peer file sharing has become a lot easier.[10] According to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), film piracy causes an estimated loss of $18 billion dollars per year worldwide. This statistic is estimated because the MPAA has to determine how many people would have actually watched the film if it weren’t for free, or at a discounted price. Ever since 2004, authorities have been pushing to reduce film piracy. In 2005 the Family Enter- tainment and Copyright Act was put into place. This act makes recording a movie in a theatre illegal in the United States. Besides laws, there have also been things like vi- sual FBI Anti-Piracy Warning Seal’s added to DVD’s. This seal is shown when the DVD is played, and be- fore the actual movie starts. However, this doesn’t al-

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FBI Anti-Piracy Warning Seal

ways effectively stop a pirate from stealing the movie.[11] There are many software programs used by authorities and private companies to prevent the illegal trade of pi- rated movies. This software is able to monitor websites that host peer-to-peer file trading. If a company’s film is being misused over the internet, the software is capable of sending infringement notices and collecting important data. All of this information could be used to build a court case against the violator.[12]

Computer Hoaxes and Digital Manipulation

Example of a photo that has been digitally manipulated (edited)

A computer hoax, or virus hoax, is an inaccurate statement or story spread through computers, typically through am email. Usually the email warns the user about a virus or worm and instructs the user to forward the mes- sage (which spreads the virus) or recommends that the re- ceivers download an infected file attachment. These virus hoaxes can often be distinguished by their lofty and en- ticing wording or by claims that sound formal and autho- rized. These types of emails use people’s fear of the in- ternet to manipulate their actions and thus spread a virus or computer hoax; many consider these fake emails to be worms in and of themselves because of this.[13]

Digital Manipulation is editing or altering any type of dig-

ital content. The most commonly thought of is photo- shop, which is editing an image so that it has little to no resemblance of the original image. This can be any- thing from adjusting the “exposure” or a photo or us- ing an airbrush tool, to combing two photos to make one or adding portions that were not in the original (such as a large moon covering half the sky behind the Chicago skyline).[14] But digital manipulation also includes alter- ing text, music, movies, or voice interviews. The main is- sue when it comes to ethics in digital manipulation is that copyrights cannot be violated and the original digital in- formation cannot be misused or misinterpreted. Also, in- tentions and purpose are key in deciding “how far is to far” when it comes to photo-shop or other editing methods.[15]

7.2.4 Computers and Your Health

Physical Health

There are some physical problems that can be caused by computer use such as eyestrain, blurred vision, fatigue, headaches, backaches, and wrist and finger pain. One kind of health problem that occurs is repetitive stress in- juries, which is when doing the same thing over and over causes hand, wrist, shoulder, or neck pain. Using the keyboard and the mouse can cause repetitive stress in- juries. One repetitive stress injury that is related to repet- itive finger movement is carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a painful condition of the hands and wrists.[16] An- other repetitive stress injury is related with typing on the smaller keyboards of mobile devices and this is called De- Quervain’s tendonitis. There can also be many eye prob- lems caused by looking at a computer screen for too long. Another concern is hearing loss because many portable media devices can be turned up too loud and cause hear- ing problems. There is also a concern with radiation that can be emitted from wireless devices. There are ways to avoid these physical health problems caused by comput- ers. One way is to make sure that you are comfortable while at the computer and that you use a good chair that will be supportive for your back and neck. It is also im- portant to just be aware of these possible physical health risks caused by computers because it is something that is often overlooked.[17]

As mentioned before, most people today interact with

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Computer Workstation Variables cleanup

some type of computer daily. We have learned that there are many risk factors associated with the extended use of computers. Some of those risk factors include eye strain, fatigue and upper and lower body discomfort. Luckily, there is a solution to these problems. It is called er- gonomics. Ergonomics is a technology which focuses on making the workspace as functional, safe and comfort- able as possible. One thing computer users should con- sider when using the computer is wrist strain. It is impor- tant for the user to keep his wrists as straight as possible. Some causes for a bent wrist can be the keyboard being too low or high, or it being tilted upward. A solution to this can be to adjust the keyboard to the appropriate height or adjust the height of the chair. Another solution could be to use a split keyboard or what is known as an ergonomic keyboard. Another risk people face with ex- tended use of the computer is back discomfort or even back disorder. This can be caused by an inadequate chair that lacks support for the back. It can also be caused from lack of foot support or from slouching due to fatigue. Some solutions to these problems would be to use a lum- bar cushion or to utilize a foot rest. It is also important for a user to take frequent breaks and change positions often. Many people today are exposed to extended com- puter use whether it is for a job or for entertainment. It is important for computer users to know the risks associ- ated with over-usage and to be familiar with ergonomics in order to create the safest and most comfortable envi-

ronment for themselves.[18]

Computers in Medicine

Fitibit Flex

In the same way that computers can be hazardous to one’s long term health, they can also be used to monitor and, in-fact, encourage healthy habits. Sitting at a computer sedentary for hours on end day-in and day-out can lead to eyestrain, headaches, etc. as was previously discussed. However, in recent years, health and medicine have cap- italized on the use of computers to further their industry. In hospitals and labs, CAT scans, X-rays, EEGs, EKGs, heart monitors, blood pressure and blood sugar scanners, and much more have been used to assess and monitor an individual’s health. Certainly these additions to the medical field have made medicine a much more precise science and helped countless individuals who were suf- fering. However, computers have not only been used in reactive situations. They now can also help an individ- ual be proactive about their health with the introduction to embedded computers, monitors, and biometrics. One example of this is the three-dimensional accelerometer (better known by the brand name “Fitbit”). These tech- nologies allow the mechanism to gather data about the human body, interpret the data into usable information, and also store it in case a medical professional needs ac- cess to real-time health records. They can give an individ- ual information about heartbeat/heart rate, sleep patterns, amount of physical activity, etc. and, in some cases, can even recommend that a person change certain behavior to combat unhealthy habits. [19]

Stress of Ever-Changing Technology

Today we see a lot of kinds of changes that are causing a great deal of stress and anxiety. Most of these changes are directly related to the digital revolution and have only become problems in the last 10 to 20 years.[20] Some peo- ple can’t figure out how to connect the game station to the TV. The cell phone rings just as the person about to walk out the door. Modern technology has infiltrated the

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Relaxation

workplaces, people’s cars and their homes. According to the Angus Reid, 14% of Canadian workers identified new technology in the workplace as a significant source of stress. Never before have individuals been asked to adapt as rapidly. Instant communication and exponen- tially growing technology lead us to one of the few ab- solute truths – Technology change is constant. Technol- ogy has reconfigured the nature of work and our social relationships on the job.[21] People feel overwhelmed by the volume of emails and calls that they receive. Though people cannot stop this technology roller coaster, they can use a variety of practical strategies to develop resilience and renew and replenish themselves. Some of the sim- plest skills that the people can learn to be more resilient to stress are deep relaxation and self-care. It can convert fatigue into energy and restlessness into calmness.[22]

Emotional Health

Burnout

Because of our fast growth and use of technology there are many positive advantages of using computers and much more; however, in recent years emotional health has become an important factor with the use of comput- ers and technology. The use of computers in general can cause much stress and anxiety for workers in different

fields today. When computers were first introduced to the working field, secretaries had to learn how to change from a typewriter to a keyboard. Many people now widely un- derstand the use of computers, but the downfall is keeping up with the changing technology. Every few years a new system, computer design, etc. are updated and sent out to the market. This makes operating a company more diffi- cult when programs and systems need to be updated. Be- cause the Internet can be accessed 24/7 the stress of being “on-call” is worrisome to many workers. They worry they do not have enough down time to themselves, after they come home from work that day. In the U.S. information is right at citizens’ fingertips, which can sometimes cre- ate an information overload. There is always news to be caught up with, as well as catching up with email, text messages, and social media as well. Many can become exhausted from being on the computer (or cell phone) too much. This is called burnout which is long-term exhaus- tion and diminished interest in work. A more common type of “emotional health” deals with teenagers who have a technology addiction. Social media plays a huge role in this now today.

Avatar of virtual world

Internet Addiction The virtual world has much simi- lar with reality. His mysterious and unpredictable are like the uncertainty and volatility of the world. People can play their chosen online roles, similar to the masks, peo- ple put in everyday life. At the same time virtual world declares easy available advantages over the real world. You can achieve success through creativity, concealing defects. It gives individuals the opportunity to take any role which can be also easily be replaced by another one. And all this is given without any responsibility, without fear of the consequences of rejection or condemnation. The network person feels protected and inaccessible, can easily express their opinions, which could hardly express in real life. The virtual world gives the illusion of pro-

7.2. ETHICS 219

tection from loneliness. At the same time it provides an opportunity to get away from communicating with real people, whose opinion would have to be considered. Net- work allows you to simulate reality by creative a state of endless possibilities and the search of discovery. A surf- ing the Net gives the feeling of being in the “flow” and a full immersion into an effect disconnection from the external reality with a sense of being in another world, another time, another dimension. [23]

Internet addiction

Many people today are addicted to the internet. Addi- tionally many people do not know that they are addicted to the internet. There are many signs of internet addiction as well. For example if you ever feel like you are always thinking about the internet that would be a good sign. If a person is using the internet increasingly in order to re- ceive satisfaction, and if you are continually failing to cut back on using the internet, those are also signs of addic- tion. If you ever feel restless or depressed while not on the internet, or feel like you are on longer then intended to be, those add to come signs of internet addiction. If some or all of these signs describe a person then they are addicted to the internet. Some tips on breaking this in- ternet addiction on your own are to understand that you have a problem with the internet. Next is to build coping skills. Many people become addicted to the internet be- cause it is their outlet for stress and anger. Being able to change the way a person copes with their problems would be extremely beneficial. There is also therapy, counsel- ing and support groups to take advantage of and help with this addiction like any other.[24] It is important to be able to overcome an internet addiction to be able to fully ap- preciate life and not be concentrated on intangible items and ideas like the ones on the internet.

Cyberbullying

According to stopcyberbullying.org, cyberbullying occurs when a minor is tormented, threatened, harassed, humili- ated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another minor using the Internet. These acts can be committed through interactive and digital technologies, or mobile phones. To be considered a true cyberbullying incident, minors must

Stop Cyberbullying

be involved on both sides, or at least instigated by one in an attempt to harm, another. If and when adults be- come involved, it then becomes cyber-harassment or cy- berstalking, and is wholly different from cyberbullying. For most, it is usually not a one time event, unless it is a legitimate threat of serious harm. Children are typically aware of the extent of present danger or hurtful ideas, while parents may be more concerned about offensive language used.Ultimately, cyberbullying could lead to a misdemeanor charge, though if the child is young enough, it juvenile delinquency is an option. Often, it does not go that far, yet many parents try to pursue criminal charges. If hacking, password breach, or identity theft is involved, it can be a crime of state and federal law. [25]

7.2.5 Technology Access

The U.S. Digital Divide

Helping each other understand and use the Internet builds strong bridges for humanity

220 CHAPTER 7. COMPUTERS AND SOCIETY

Though the exact percentage is argued over by the ex- perts, we can be happy to know that in the United States the digital divide continues to shrink. About 80% of the population of the United States uses the Internet. They use the Internet at school, work, home, and everywhere else. It’s rare to find a Mcdonalds, one of the lowest com- mon denominator eating establishments, that doesn't have a Wi-Fi connection. Computers and Internet access are always getting cheaper, which is great news because stay- ing connected to the world is such an important quality. We stay alive and thrive through building relationships of all different kinds and the Internet is a powerful means of obtaining these relationships. Not only that, but most jobs today require the use of the Internet in one way or another. Due to the importance of the Internet however, ideally the statistic of users in the United States would be closer to 99%. According to Forbes, there are sev- eral reasons why some people have never used the Inter- net or don't use it very often. The biggest percentage of them said they don't want or need to go online, because they're either too busy or because they think the Internet is a waste of time. A slightly smaller number of them said it is difficult or frustrating to go online, either be- cause they don't understand or are physically unable.[26] Ultimately, the importance of the Internet is understood the world over, meaning that the digital divide in the U.S. will continue to shrink so our country can stay competi- tive with Europe and Asia especially.

Global Digital Divide

XO-Beta

The Global digital divide is an issue that our world seems to be facing more and more as time goes on. Like the US Digital divide, it is a comparison of groups of peo- ple with access to technology but on a global scale in- stead of a country scale. The problem arrises when one country’s people has more access to technology and /or communications than another country. Most developed countries have a majority of their population with some access to technology, however it seems that many devel-

oping countries lack the technological accessibility that the others have. The largest problem caused by this is the lack of education. The internet today is such a source of information that one could potentially gain their entire college degree while hardly ever stepping foot in a class- room. Many people around the world lack the opportu- nity to gain an education because of their lack of access to the internet and other technology that would help them to learn things at a faster, easier, or more efficient rate. The internet has so many uses: school courses, communica- tion, language tutoring, translations, calculations, and so many more.[27]

More on the Digital Divide

Global Digital Divide1

The concept that is called the digital divide is the reality that technology, specifically computers and the Internet, is not available to all individuals. The digital divide is thought to be based on physical access to computers, In- ternet, and related technology. Some people consider the people that have access to computers and the Internet but do not understand how to use it are also part of the cate- gory of people that do not have true access to digital tech- nology. One article explains that there are multiple di- mensions to the digital divide. It claims the difference in not necessarily determined by the access to the Internet, but by access to ICT (Information and Communications Technologies) and to Media that the different segments of society can use. Other factors that should be consid- ered are the quality of connection to the Internet and the cost of access to the Internet. Researchers also report that disadvantages can take such forms as lower-performance computers, lower-quality or high price connections, dif- ficulty of obtaining technical assistance, and lower ac- cess to subscription-based contents.[28] The reason that the digital gap is a concern for society is that information and communication technologies are vital to quality civic life. One article explains that access to new technology splits clearly along socio-economic class lines. Accord- ing to U.S. census data, more than 30 million homes have no broadband access, most of them concentrate in some

7.2. ETHICS 221

of the poorest parts of the country. According to an- other survey 84% of the teachers surveyed felt that today’s digital gap is leading to greater disparities between afflu- ent and disadvantaged schools.[29] Technology can inform people by creating mutual understanding about different cultures and societies; technology also plays a part in ed- ucation and governmental reform. By lessening the digi- tal gap economic equality, social mobility, and economic growth will be more readily available.

Assistive Technology

Toby Churchill shown with assistive technology

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires companies with more than 15 employees to make reasonable accom- modations for anyone that has known limitations. Nowa- days, there is hardware and software specifically designed to aid individuals with physical disabilities. The most common technology that has been introduced is used to help those who are visually impaired or hard of hearing. There are various input devices available today to assist users communicate, usually on the computer. Braille or large-print keyboards, one-handed keyboards, switches, eye tracking systems, pointing devices, and voice input devices are all used today. In addition to the various in- put devices, there are output systems as well. The most common one is a screen reader that can read text informa- tion for the blind. There are also printers that can print in Braille instead of the conventional ink. Assistive technol- ogy is not always the best option, however. Often times it can be too expensive for the individual and not match

their exact needs. [30] Devices should be researched and tried out before purchasing. Training for these devices also needs to be taken into consideration. For example, what if this technology stops working for the user?

Braille, the text language for the visually impaired.

So how do some of these assistive devices such as Braille keyboards, one-handed keyboards, eye tracking systems, pointing devices, and voice input devices work? First off, made up of raised dots that signify a “language,” and thus can be read by touch, Braille keyboards allow the visu- ally impaired population to type and enter any text for the computer in Braille. Secondly, to assist people with lim- ited movement of only one hand, each of the one-handed keyboard’s key contains two letters (accommodating both the left and right side keys on a conventional keyboard), making it easier for all keys to be reached with just one hand. They also provide with the ability to input data to the computer hands-free through speech recognition systems. To act as mouse alternatives, many other point- ing devices like foot-controlled mice (controlled solely by the feet), head pointing systems (directed using simple head movements), and eye tracking systems (tracking the movement of the eye) are commonly used. To add on to all these types of outstanding assistive technology, there is also another alternative input system known as “sip- and-puff” system, which is activated by one’s inhaling or exhaling! [31]

Next, once the data has been input into the computer us- ing any of these assistive input devices, assistive output devices come into play. These devices include screen readers, which read aloud all the text information on the screen; Braille displays act similar to Braille keyboards as they continuously convert screen output into Braille form. Lastly, there are also Braille printers—sometimes known as Braille embossers—which transfer and print computer generated text into embossed Braille output. Therefore, instead of the traditional ink, the embosser creates raised dots on a page for the visually impaired to read.[32]

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Assistive devices

Assistive Technology in the Classroom Assistive technology can be especially helpful in the education set- ting. Thanks in large part to the mainstreaming and inclu- sion efforts in schools today, students of every ability are integrated into traditional classrooms. This integration can be greatly aided by the use of assistive technology. [33] Assistive technology allows students with disabilities to learn and complete lessons more independently. Edu- cators can use a variety of tools to help all types of stu- dents. Screen readers can be used to read text to visu- ally impaired students. There are many programs avail- able (some are even free) that can be used to read doc- uments aloud to students. This can be helpful for both visually impaired students, as well as students that are cognitively impaired and unable to read. Close caption- ing and subtitling help students that are hearing impaired. Eye tracking systems as well as sip and puff systems are especially helpful for students with mobility impairments. Voice recognition software can also provide a way for stu- dents to write more efficiently without the use of a key- board. Adding these technological advancements to the classroom allows students to participate in lessons and ac- tivities that would not otherwise be available to them.

7.2.6 Environmental Issues

Green Computing

This refers to the use of computers in an environmen- tally friendly manner, but computing is not currently as environmental friendly. According to threener electron- ics only 2 out of 18 of the Pc are considered on the green rating. The reason is because companies are subjected to make energy and hence cost saving in the face of ris- ing electricity prices. One of the activates that could help environmental savings is existing hardware which can be in place of it there are software’s called LittleGreenGe- nie. This software permit certain individuals to measure reduce and carbon offset from computer use. Its stats that it takes about 1.8 tons of chemicals, fossil fuels and water to produce a typical desktop computer and there’s about one billion PCs sold. Although putting a computer

The color Green...

on standby or sleep mode will save a lot of power, peo- ple are unaware that shutting down a computer doesn't completely turn it off because the computer power sup- ply will remain physically switched on. This leads the motherboard still partially on waiting for a signal to boot up again. The following are certain tasks that can be ben- eficial in reducing energy consumption which are lower power hard drive, visualization, cloud computing, energy effecting coding, improved repair, re-use recycling and disposable and less pollutant manufacture.[34][35]

Solar Power

Instead of reducing energy consumption and electricity costs, another option is to use solar power. Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity using photo- voltaic cells. These cells can be packaged into a frame, and a frame into an array, based on how much solar power is needed for the building or area. The process has slowly become cheaper due to our increase in technology and knowledge of solar power. As of right now, we are con- sidered to be in our third generation of solar power be- cause of our use of new materials like nanotubes, silicon wires, and solar inks. This is a step up from the first gen- eration, which used solely silicon as a material, and then the second generation, which used thin-film solar pan- els. As the capability of solar power becomes cheaper, more products are incorporating solar power as a power

7.2. ETHICS 223

Solar Panel

source. Examples of this are the solar powered phone charger and solar powered calculator. Solar powered cal- culators have been around for a while because calculators do not require much energy, so the solar panel is very small and therefore cheap. The solar powered charger has come out more recently because the newer flexible technology made it feasible to produce. Solar power has been a greener way to consume energy.[36]

Recycling of Computers and Other Electronics

Given the reliance of the commercial world on computer technology it is easy to overlook the inherent unsustain- ability of computer production. Computers have become embedded in contemporary culture and play a crucial role in the global economy, but as the industrialized world continues to degrade the environment one must become aware of the negative impacts of computer use and con- sequently work with possible ways to reduce them. The Chicago Recycling Coalition states that, on average, 240 kg of fossil fuels are consumed in the process of pro- ducing a desktop PC.[37] In a time when fossil fuel sup- plies are decreasing at an alarming rate it is important now more than ever to be conscious of consumer deci- sions. The issue of fossil fuels aside, computers con- tain arsenic and mercury while computer monitors can contain several pounds of lead. This is one reason why simply disposing computers into landfills is problematic. Instead, the Chicago Recycling Coalition advises con- sumers to donate computers to various organizations and charities, give older computers to family and friends who

Find a recycling center that accepts electronics

need them, and find locations that offer recycling ser- vices. The EPA provides a utility that helps consumers and manufacturers know where they can donate or recycle their electronics.[38] Mobile devices, PCs and TVs make up the “Electronic Devices” category, and after selecting a device one can choose a company to see what services are offered.

You should recycle computers. Don't throw them away.

Before recycling your computers you may want to do a few things. In order to protect your information and pri- vacy, you should wipe out your hard drive. However, just deleting files is not enough. Cyber criminals are very ca-

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pable people and they will find a way to find informa- tion on your hard drive that you “deleted” the informa- tion. There are programs on the internet that you can use to “sanitize” your hard drive. An even easier way is to just remove the hard drive altogether. Other ways to recycle your devices is to donate them. You could even help your community out by having a fundraiser to col- lect everyone’s technological garbage and then you can donate them. This not only helps the community but also the environment. Now if you’re not looking to get rid of your entire computer you do have a printer. You will al- ways come to the problem of running out of ink. Instead of throwing out these old cartridges, you could just have them refilled. Not only is this good for the environment, but it can also help you save money because refilling ink cartridges is worth a fraction of the cost of buying new ones.[39]

E-Waste

Huge amounts of e-waste is not disposed of properly.

E-trash, or e-waste, is a growing problem in modern soci- ety. The issue of dealing with the huge amounts of elec- tronics that are being outdated and thrown away asks the question; what do we do with all this junk? Although e-waste only makes up about 2% of America’s trash in landfills, it comprises 70% of the country’s toxic waste. A lot of this toxicity is because of the huge amounts of lead that can be found in electronics. Between 20 and 50 million metric tons of e-waste is disposed of every year, but only about 12.5% of e-waste is actually recycled prop- erly. It is important to recycle e-waste not just to protect the environment but also to harvest the high amounts of precious metals within the electronics. Just in cell phones alone, over $60 million in gold and silver is dumped ever year.[40] A lot of “e-waste” is actually not waste at all, and can be recycled and reused if dealt with properly. E-waste is unfortunately shipped to developing countries illegally, which is not a responsible or ethical way of managing the waste.[41] In order to ensure that your e-waste is properly recycled you should find a recycling center near you. You can use this website http://search.earth911.com to find a

local center and learn how to properly dispose of your electronic waste! [42]

Family Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005

Movie Copyright Laws

There’s no question that copyright laws are pushed to the side when it comes to copying illegal things such as movies, music, and videos. People act as if there is noth- ing to risk, and it does not matter if you break the law. However, the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act, which was passed in 2005, made these offenses just a lit- tle bit more serious. The law worked to make three of- fenses more defined and punishable than they were be- fore. First, it made sure that no one was allowed to bring a camcorder into a movie and record it. This works to stop people from selling movies that they do not have le- gal copyrights to. Second, it worked to make sure that there was no illegal prerelease of movies that had not yet been released to the public. The act actually states that this offense is punishable by a large fine or even time in jail. Finally, it allowed certain technology to be in- stalled into DVD players that permits the user to auto- matically skip or mute entire portions of a DVD, allowing them to get passed crude, violent, or inappropriate parts that they would not have wanted to watch. Basically, the law just worked to reinforce previous copyright laws that seemed to be pushed aside without users giving them any consideration.[43]

Other Related Legislation

The Family Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005 is just one example of the several laws surrounding in- tellectual property rights. The U.S. Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act of 1999 makes domain name cybersquatting illegal. This law was targeted at “cyber- squatters” who register internet domain names contain- ing trademarks with no intention of creating a legitimate website, but instead plan to sell the domain name to the