2. Computer Ethics
• deals with how computing professionals
should make decisions regarding professional
and social conduct.
3. Ten Commandments of Computer
Ethics
• Commandment - an instruction; a
requirement
• Ethics – a code of conduct on how a person
should live
4. 1. You shall not use a computer to harm other
people
– Intentionally interfering with other people’s work
– Invading the privacy of individuals
5. 2. You shall not interfere with other people's
computer work
– Degrading or disrupting equipment, software, or
system performance.
– Using resources to interfere with the proper
operation of any computer, or destroy data.
– Intentionally interfering with other people’s work
– Invading the privacy of individuals
6. 3. You shall not snoop around in other people's
computer files.
– Using an account owned by another user, or
allowing another user to access your account.
– Invading the privacy of individuals
4. You shall not use a computer to steal.
– Using resources in any manner that breaks the law
or violates company policy. This can include the
unauthorised copying or transmission of software
7. 5. You shall not use a computer to bear false
witness.
– You should not be responsible for creating or
forwarding “chain” letters.
– You should not download, store, print, or
distributing files or messages that are profane,
obscene, threatening, or that use language that
offends or is aimed at degrading others.
8. 6. You shall not copy or use proprietary software
for which you have not paid.
– You should not use resources in any manner that
violates company policy or breaks the law,
including the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act.
This means that you should not be copying or
transmitting software for which you do not have a
licence
9. 7. You shall not use other people's computer
resources without authorisation or proper
compensation.
– You should not try to pass off information
obtained via the Internet or as part of your
working life as your own. You should always give
proper credit to the source.
– You should not post personal communication
without the original author’s consent.
10. 8. You shall not appropriate other people's
intellectual output.
– Posting personal communication without the
original author’s consent.
– Using information obtained through network and
computer resources without giving proper credit
to the source (plagiarism).
11. 9. You shall think about the social consequences
of the program you are writing or the system
you are designing.
– Downloading, storing, printing, or distributing files
or messages that are profane, obscene,
threatening, or that use language that offends or
tends to degrade others.
12. 10. You shall always use a computer in ways that
show consideration and respect for your fellow
humans.
– Downloading, storing, printing, or distributing files
or messages that contain information considered
dangerous to the public at large.
