DEFINITION OF ETHICS
In general, ethics is a moral philosophy where a person makes a specific moral choice and sticks to it. On the other hand, ethics in computing means moral guidelines to refer to when using the computer and computer networks. This includes the Internet.
DEFINITION OF LAW
Law is a legal system comprising of rules and principles that govern the affairs of a community and controlled by a political authority.
WHY DO WE NEED ETHICS AND LAW IN COMPUTING?
· Respecting Ownership
· Respecting Privacy
· Respecting Property
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ETHICS AND LAW
Both ethics and law are complimentary to each other and are made:
· to guide user from misusing computers
· to create a healthy computer society, so that computers are used to contribute to a better life
· to prevent any crime
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ETHICS AND LAWS
ETHICS -
GUIDELINE As a guideline to computer users.
MORAL STANDARDS Ethical behaviour is judged by moral standards.
FREE TO FOLLOW Computer users are free to follow or ignore the code of ethics.
NO PUNISHMENTS No punishment for anyone who violates ethics.
UNIVERSALS Universal, can be applied anywhere all over the world.
PRODUCE ETHICAL COMPUTER USERS To produce ethical computer users.
IMMORAL Not honouring computer ethics means ignoring the moral elements (immoral).
LAW -
CONTROL As a rule to control computer users.
JUDICIAL STANDARDS Law is judged by judicial standards.
MUST FOLLOW Computer users must follow the regulations and law.
PENALTIES, IMPRISONMENTS AND OTHER PUNISHMENTS
punishments for those who break the law.
DEPENDS ON COUNTRY Depends on country and state where the crime is committed.
PREVENT MISUSING OF COMPUTERS
To prevent misuse of computers.
CRIME
Not honouring the law means committing a crime.
UNETHICAL VS. LAW BREAKING CONDUCTS
Unethical:
· using the office computer to do personal things
· reading your friend’s e-mail without his or her permission
· plagiarising and using materials from the Internet for your class assignment without giving credit to the original author.
Law breaking:
· sending a computer virus via e-mail
· hacking into your school’s database to change your examination results.
· selling pirated software in a night market
