The document is a student assignment on the topic of whether computer hacking is ethical. It begins with an introduction to ethics and definitions of key concepts like utilitarianism. It then provides context for why the topic was selected and introduces computer hacking and the original hacker ethics from the 1960s. The main section discusses whether hacking is ethical based on four views of ethics. It concludes that hacking can be considered ethical if it follows the principles of not harming systems and helps improve security.

1. COVER PAGE
Title : Computer hacking – Is it Ethical?
Subject : OVBE
Level / Semester : I / Feb 2010
Programme : MBA-FULL TIME
Subject Tutor : Dr. Jaishree Desai
Name of Student : Vivekanandan M
Student’s Registration Number : GPBL-B/F10/15
Date of Submission : Mar 26, 2010
Word Count : 921 words
Word Limit : 1000 words
i

2. Checklist
Students Name Vivekanandan M
Registration Number GPBL-B/F10/15
Date of submission of the Assignment
26/03/2010
Is the cover page in the correct format as indicated in the
“Guidelines to writing Assignments”?
Yes
Have I done a complete spell-check of the Assignment?
Yes
Have I done a complete word count for the Assignment?
Yes
Does the table of contents include numbers?
Yes
Are the pages numbered correctly?
Yes
Are the figures numbered correctly?
NA
Are the tables/charts numbered correctly?
NA
Are the captions for the tables and charts proper?
NA
Are the references/bibliography listed in the Assignment?
Yes
Are the references cited correctly in the text?
NA
All references material has been cited from the books & the
University of Wales online library. Any other internet
source quoted is with the permission of the module tutor.
NA
Are the references in the text in the proper format as
indicated in the “Guidelines to Writing Assignments”
Yes
Has the soft copy of the Assignment been enclosed?
Yes
Declaration:
All material written in this assignment is my own and I have not used any material,
content or information of others claiming them to be mine. Wherever materials have
been used, proper citation has been done in the text. I am fully aware of the rules
and regulations governing plagiarism. Should at any point of time my work be
suspected/investigated and established to have been plagiarized, I am aware of the
consequences. I have read the Student’s Handbook in detail.
___________________
Signature of the student Date: 26/03/2010
ii

3. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE No.
Introduction to Ethics 1
What is Ethics? 1
Reason for selecting this topic 2
Introduction to computer hacking 2
Ethics in computer hacking 2
Computer hacking – Is it Ethical? 3
Conclusion 4
Bibliography 5
iii

4. Introduction to Ethics:
During the past two centuries, world economy has grown drastically, per capita income rose
by 8 times when the world population has increased by 5 times. The rapid growth of
economic development has led to erosion of values and ethics. Today ethics has become a
tool for consistent economic growth and for managing complex economic problems.
What is Ethics?
Ethics is a field of study dealing with what is right or wrong for a given situation. Ethics can
also be defined as a method or procedure for deciding how to act.
There are 4 concepts of Ethics, developed by moral philosophers over a period of time, they
are,
1. Utilitarism
2. Deontologism
3. Relativism
4. Egoism
1. Utilitarism – In this view, morality of an action can be determined by its
consequences. An action is ethical if the consequences are good compared to bad for
the greatest number.
2. Deontologism – In this view, actions are not justified by their consequences. Factors
other than good determine the rightness of the action.
3. Relativism – In this view, there is no universal standard by which morality can be
judged. What is right for one society might be wrong for another society.
4. Egoism – In this view, one ought to act in his or her own self interest. This does not
mean that one should not obey laws.
Ethical Dilemma – Ethical dilemma is a complex situation in which none of the available
alternatives seems ethically acceptable. In other words, ethical dilemma is complex situations
in which guiding moral principle cannot determine which course of action is right or wrong.
1
Global warming is defined as the increase in the average temperature of earth surface. The major
reason for global warming is Pollution, (i.e) emission of carbon di oxide. Power plants which uses fossil fuel
to generate electricity, emits maximum carbon di oxide to the atmosphere. Automobiles using fossil fuel
pollute the atmosphere by emitting harmful gases like carbon di oxide, nitrous oxide. Other reasons for
pollution include, burning of oil during winter, deforestation and transportation industry (airways, railways
and roadways).
Effects of Global Warming:
Increase in earth surface temperature has impact on the following systems and the consequences have
chain reaction impact on its subsequent systems.
 Glaciers
 Weather
 Weather
 Business
Glaciers – Rise in temperature causes the glaciers to melt, resulting in increase in sea level. Increase in sea
level leads to flooding of land.
Mixing of pure water from melting glaciers with salty sea water alters the gulf-stream pattern which regulates
temperature.
Melting of glaciers alters the balance of eco system in the polar region which includes – animals, plants.
Weather – Rise in temperature causes delay in monsoon, short/prolonged season like – winter, summer, rainy.
Delay in monsoon affects agricultural sector.
Because of increase in sea level, some areas in the earth will be flooded and other part of the earth might
experience heat wave.
Mankind – Shortage of food, because of Weather change, leads to malnutrition and death in humans. Shortage

5. Reason for selecting this topic:
In the present computer age, computer has become an important house hold item. Home users
have misconception about hackers and think hackers are the one who involve in computer
and cyber crime. Following sections explain who are hackers and the principles followed by
them.
Introduction to computer hacking:
Computer hacking is defined as the practice of gaining control and using remote computer
hardware and software, without authorization or exceeding authorized access. Hacking was
started at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as a method to figure out how
computer systems worked. Hacker is a person who attempts to penetrate the security system
of the remote computer.
Hackers are intelligent people who want to know everything. Hackers do not break into a
system for stealing or destroying the data, instead they want to test their own security system
and gain deeper understanding of the system. Hackers use their hacking skills in legitimate
ways, such as becoming security consultant.
Ethics in computer hacking:
Every profession has code of practice adopted by professionals to regulate that profession.
Original hacker ethics was developed by MIT and Stanford during 1960s. Later during 1990s
new hacker ethics was published. Following are their principles,
1. Above all else, do not harm.
2. Protect Privacy
3. Waste not, want not
4. Right to communicate
5. Leave no traces
6. Share
7. Hacking helps security
8. Trust, but test
1. Above all else, do not harm – Do not destroy computer or delete data, if it is possible.
An ethical dilemma with this principle is when the data gets deleted accidentally.
2. Protect Privacy – Do not copy sensitive information from the remote computer.
2
Global warming is defined as the increase in the average temperature of earth surface. The major
reason for global warming is Pollution, (i.e) emission of carbon di oxide. Power plants which uses fossil fuel
to generate electricity, emits maximum carbon di oxide to the atmosphere. Automobiles using fossil fuel
pollute the atmosphere by emitting harmful gases like carbon di oxide, nitrous oxide. Other reasons for
pollution include, burning of oil during winter, deforestation and transportation industry (airways, railways
and roadways).
Effects of Global Warming:
Increase in earth surface temperature has impact on the following systems and the consequences have
chain reaction impact on its subsequent systems.
 Glaciers
 Weather
 Weather
 Business
Glaciers – Rise in temperature causes the glaciers to melt, resulting in increase in sea level. Increase in sea
level leads to flooding of land.
Mixing of pure water from melting glaciers with salty sea water alters the gulf-stream pattern which regulates
temperature.
Melting of glaciers alters the balance of eco system in the polar region which includes – animals, plants.
Weather – Rise in temperature causes delay in monsoon, short/prolonged season like – winter, summer, rainy.
Delay in monsoon affects agricultural sector.
Because of increase in sea level, some areas in the earth will be flooded and other part of the earth might
experience heat wave.
Mankind – Shortage of food, because of Weather change, leads to malnutrition and death in humans. Shortage

6. 3. Waste not, want not – Do not waste computer resource.
There are millions of computers connected over internet, which are not used for more
than 10 hours in a day. A hacker can utilize those unused resources without damaging
the remote computer and its data.
4. Right to communicate – Hackers have the right to communicate with fellow hackers
for free flow of information.
5. Leave no trace – Do not leave any trace or trail or log of the exploit.
6. Share – Do not hide or hoard information. Information increases its value by sharing
with people.
7. Hacking helps security – Offer help in identifying weakness/flaw in security. Suggest
ways to enhance the security.
8. Trust, but test – Constantly test the system and find new ways to enhance the existing
system.
Computer hacking – Is it Ethical?
In this section, hackers are assessed based on the 4 concepts of ethics.
1. From the view of utilitarism, hackers are ethical if their action does not damage the
remote computer and its data.
Eg. Hacker identifying a flaw in network security.
2. From the view of deontologism, hackers are ethical, if they follow their code of
ethics.
3. From the view of relativism, hackers act can be considered as ethical in one country,
but unethical in another country. Cyber laws are different for different country, so a
hacker act will be ethical in the country whose cyber law is relaxed and unethical in
the country which has stringent cyber laws.
4. From the view of egoism, hackers are ethical if their action promotes their long term
goal.
3
Global warming is defined as the increase in the average temperature of earth surface. The major
reason for global warming is Pollution, (i.e) emission of carbon di oxide. Power plants which uses fossil fuel
to generate electricity, emits maximum carbon di oxide to the atmosphere. Automobiles using fossil fuel
pollute the atmosphere by emitting harmful gases like carbon di oxide, nitrous oxide. Other reasons for
pollution include, burning of oil during winter, deforestation and transportation industry (airways, railways
and roadways).
Effects of Global Warming:
Increase in earth surface temperature has impact on the following systems and the consequences have
chain reaction impact on its subsequent systems.
 Glaciers
 Weather
 Weather
 Business
Glaciers – Rise in temperature causes the glaciers to melt, resulting in increase in sea level. Increase in sea
level leads to flooding of land.
Mixing of pure water from melting glaciers with salty sea water alters the gulf-stream pattern which regulates
temperature.
Melting of glaciers alters the balance of eco system in the polar region which includes – animals, plants.
Weather – Rise in temperature causes delay in monsoon, short/prolonged season like – winter, summer, rainy.
Delay in monsoon affects agricultural sector.
Because of increase in sea level, some areas in the earth will be flooded and other part of the earth might
experience heat wave.
Mankind – Shortage of food, because of Weather change, leads to malnutrition and death in humans. Shortage

7. Conclusion:
Computer hacking is a problem solving skill which hackers use to demonstrate their technical
capabilities and not as an opportunity to harm others.
Computer hacking has also lead to development of new technology, which include UNIX
operating system, developed by former hackers Dennis Ritchie and Ken Thompson.
Corporate actively utilize the service of hackers to test the robustness of their security system
and identify issues in their security system.
4

8. Bibliography:
1. Class Notes and Presentation
2. http://www.theworldeconomy.org/ (Mar 21, 2010)
3. http://www.paecon.net/PAEReview/ethics/PardoGuerra29.htm (Mar 21, 2010)
4. http://www.importanceofphilosophy.com/Ethics_Main.html (Mar 21, 2010)
5. http://www.asqsandiego.org/articles/ethics1.htm (Mar 21, 2010)
6. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-computer-hacking.htm (Mar 25, 2010)
7. http://www.hackingalert.com/hacking-articles/computer-hacking-explained.php (Mar
25, 2010)
8. http://www.fiu.edu/~mizrachs/hackethic.html (Mar 25, 2010)
9. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_code (Mar 25, 2010)
5
Global warming is defined as the increase in the average temperature of earth surface. The major
reason for global warming is Pollution, (i.e) emission of carbon di oxide. Power plants which uses fossil fuel
to generate electricity, emits maximum carbon di oxide to the atmosphere. Automobiles using fossil fuel
pollute the atmosphere by emitting harmful gases like carbon di oxide, nitrous oxide. Other reasons for
pollution include, burning of oil during winter, deforestation and transportation industry (airways, railways
and roadways).
Effects of Global Warming:
Increase in earth surface temperature has impact on the following systems and the consequences have
chain reaction impact on its subsequent systems.
 Glaciers
 Weather
 Weather
 Business
Glaciers – Rise in temperature causes the glaciers to melt, resulting in increase in sea level. Increase in sea
level leads to flooding of land.
Mixing of pure water from melting glaciers with salty sea water alters the gulf-stream pattern which regulates
temperature.
Melting of glaciers alters the balance of eco system in the polar region which includes – animals, plants.
Weather – Rise in temperature causes delay in monsoon, short/prolonged season like – winter, summer, rainy.
Delay in monsoon affects agricultural sector.
Because of increase in sea level, some areas in the earth will be flooded and other part of the earth might
experience heat wave.
Mankind – Shortage of food, because of Weather change, leads to malnutrition and death in humans. Shortage