Our legal system is gradually developing a legal framework for working with computers and working on the Internet. The most prevalent breach of law in cyberspace is software piracy, or the illegal copying or use of a program. Several types of copy protection schemes can be used to stop or slow down pirates.
Computer Viruses
A computer virus is a parasitic program that can replicate itself, infect computers, and destroy data. Viruses are most commonly spread by infected disks and when users download infected files over a network or from the Internet. A new breed of e-mail viruses is spread via files attached to e-mail messages or in the body of an e-mail message. Users can protect their data and software by using an antivirus program and by keeping the program's virus definitions up to date.
Theft
Computer-related theft is a costly problem for organizations and individual users, especially those who use portable computers. Many companies literally lock their computer systems with anti-theft devices. Software theft is a common problem in organizations where software is left unattended. Companies can combat the problem by keeping software in a locked storage location and overseeing its installation on individual computers. Data theft is perhaps the greatest concern to organizations. Hackers steal data by accessing a computer's disks over a network. In addition to stealing data, hackers have been known to destroy data, crash computer networks, and steal funds electronically. Organizations can protect the data on their networks by taking appropriate security measures. Basic measures include requiring users to provide identification and passwords before accessing the network. More sophisticated measures include encrypting data to make it unusable to anyone without the proper decoding key.
Computers and the Environment
The computer industry has become known for planned obsolescence, with both hardware and software being replaced or upgraded every couple of years. When disposed of improperly, obsolete hardware and software contribute to pollution and negatively affect the environment. Many newer devices are designed under the Energy Star program, which sets power-consumption standards for computer equipment.
Ethical Issues in Computing
Widespread access to computer technologies has created many ethical dilemmas. Government, legal, and computing professionals continue to debate computer-related ethical questions and attempt to develop laws that protect the freedoms of computer users while limiting immoral or illegal use of computers.
