Includes bibliographical references and index.

Series preface ix Preface xi About the website xiii 1 A general introduction 1 1.1 Computer ethics: an overview 2 1.2 Identifying an ethical issue 4 1.3 Ethics and the law 6 1.4 Ethical theories 7 1.5 Professional codes of conduct 11 1.6 An ethical dilemma 11 1.7 A framework for ethical decision making 12 1.8 Summary 13 1.9 Review questions 14 1.10 Feedback on activities 14 2 Computer hacking 17 2.1 Introduction 18 2.2 Definitions of hacking 18 2.3 Destructive programs 20 2.4 Hacker ethics 23 2.5 Legal constraints: the Computer Misuse Act, 1990 24 2.6 Professional constraints: BCS Code of Conduct 25 2.7 To hack or not to hack? Ethical positions on hacking 26 2.8 An ethical dilemma 27 2.9 Summary 28 2.10 Review questions 29 2.11 Feedback on activities 30 3 Aspects of computer crime 35 3.1 Introduction 36 3.2 What is computer crime? 36 3.3 Computer security measures 43 3.4 The Computer Misuse Act, 1990 48 3.5 Professional duties and obligations 50 3.6 An ethical dilemma 50 3.7 Summary 52 3.8 Review questions 53 3.9 Feedback on activities 54 4 Intellectual property rights 57 4.1 Introduction 58 4.2 The nature of intellectual property 58 4.3 Intellectual property legislation 59 4.4 The extent and nature of software piracy 64 4.5 Ethical and professional issues 68 4.6 Free software and open source code 71 4.7 An ethical dilemma 72 4.8 Summary 73 4.9 Review questions 74 4.10 Feedback on activities 75 5 Regulating Internet content 79 5.1 Introduction 80 5.2 In defence of freedom of expression 80 5.3 Censorship 81 5.4 Laws upholding free speech 84 5.5 Free speech and the Internet 86 5.6 Ethical and professional issues 91 5.7 An ethical dilemma 93 5.8 Summary 94 5.9 Review questions 94 5.10 Feedback on activities 95 6 Personal privacy and computer technologies 99 6.1 Introduction 100 6.2 Valuing privacy 100 6.3 Internet technologies and privacy 102 6.4 Privacy legislation 107 6.5 The Data Protection Act, 1998 111 6.6 Professional and ethical issues 116 6.7 An ethical dilemma 119 6.8 Summary 119 6.9 Review questions 120 6.10 Feedback on activities 121 7 Computer technologies: accessibility issues 127 7.1 Introduction 128 7.2 Principle of equal access 128 7.3 Obstacles to access for individuals 129 7.4 Legislation 130 7.5 Enabling the disabled 131 7.6 Professional responsibility 134 7.7 An ethical dilemma 135 7.8 Summary 135 7.9 Review questions 136 7.10 Feedback on activities 136 8 Empowering computers in the workplace 139 8.1 Introduction 140 8.2 Computers and employment 140 8.3 Computers and the quality of work 141 8.4 Computerised monitoring in the workplace 143 8.5 Telecommuting 147 8.6 An ethical dilemma 149 8.7 Summary 150 8.8 Review questions 151 8.9 Feedback on activities 151 9 The use of artificial intelligence and expert systems 157 9.1 Introduction 158 9.2 Origins of Al and expert systems 158 9.3 The debate on computer intelligence 159 9.4 Applying intelligence 161 9.5 Implications on agent-based decision making 163 9.6 Social, legal and professional issues 165 9.7 An ethical dilemma 168 9.8 Summary 169 9.9 Review questions 169 9.10 Feedback on activities 170 10 The failure of IT projects 175 10.1 Introduction 176 10.2 The problems of producing successful IT projects 179 10.3 How the profession is addressing the problem of IT failure 180 10.4 The relationship between professional codes of conduct and IT projects 183 10.5 An overview of national legislation 185 10.6 Summary 187 10.7 Review questions 188 10.8 Feedback on activities 189 11 Codes of conduct 193 11.1 Introduction 194 11.2 Professional bodies and the British Computer Society 194 11.3 The role of codes of conduct 197 11.4 Key aspects of the BCS Code of Conduct 198 11.5 An ethical dilemma 199 11.6 Summary 200 11.7 Review questions 200 11.8 Feedback on activities 201 12 Towards the future: some ethical and social questions 205 12.1 Introduction 206 12.2 The database society 206 12.3 Restricting choice: digital rights management 213 12.4 Review of the ethical dilemmas 215 12.5 The pace of change 219 12.6 Summary 222 12.7 Feedback on activities 223 Answers to review questions 225 Index 249.

There are very few spheres of life where computers and computing technologies have no impact. Homes, hospitals, transport systems and entertainment join businesses and organisations in depending on robust, reliable and secure software systems. It is therefore vital that people who will work on future IT developments have the opportunity to understand the ramifications of building such technologies - particularly from a viewpoint of the social consequences new systems and applications may have and the way in which they can affect personal freedom and privacy.Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Computing reviews many important aspects of this area helping students on computing and IT related degrees to understand the issues and to define their own personal position in relation to ethical matters. --BOOK JACKET.