Bordoloi CMIS 108 Dr. Bijoy Bordoloi Privacy

Bordoloi Computers and Privacy These notes focus on the various topics associated with maintaining individual privacy rights in a computerized society. Specifically the topics of ethics and the potential illegal use of computers and other important topics such as data security are coveredThese notes focus on the various topics associated with maintaining individual privacy rights in a computerized society. Specifically the topics of ethics and the potential illegal use of computers and other important topics such as data security are covered

Bordoloi Databases and Personal Privacy Government Databases. The government maintains very large databases - over 2,000 of them - each containing millions of recordsGovernment Databases. The government maintains very large databases - over 2,000 of them - each containing millions of records –The Social Security Administration maintains welfare benefit and eligibility records –The Internal Revenue Service maintains income and tax records –The Department of Defense maintains military service records –The FBI maintains records about you, regardless of whether you were ever found guilty of a crime

Bordoloi Databases and Personal Privacy Computer matching can be used to match data from different databases to identify individuals engaged in wrongdoing, e.g. federal employees with delinquent student loans or use by the Internal Revenue Service to identify people underpaying taxesComputer matching can be used to match data from different databases to identify individuals engaged in wrongdoing, e.g. federal employees with delinquent student loans or use by the Internal Revenue Service to identify people underpaying taxes

Bordoloi Databases and Personal Privacy Databases and Personal Privacy Computer profiling is the use of records to identify individuals who fit a pre-determined "profile," for example, the IRS profiling of people they regard as likely tax evadersComputer profiling is the use of records to identify individuals who fit a pre-determined "profile," for example, the IRS profiling of people they regard as likely tax evaders

Bordoloi Databases and Personal Privacy Databases and Personal Privacy Private Databases. The greatest issue is with the privacy of personal issue because the computer offers access to invade an individual’s privacy Examples include:Private Databases. The greatest issue is with the privacy of personal issue because the computer offers access to invade an individual’s privacy Examples include: –Credit card usage that is tracked –Telephone usage that is tracked –Abuses include selling addresses/data to other businesses

Bordoloi Databases and Personal Privacy Databases and Personal Privacy Social Security Numbers. These are favorite targets of individuals who engage in fraudSocial Security Numbers. These are favorite targets of individuals who engage in fraud Database Inaccuracies. What happens when the information in the database is inaccurate?Database Inaccuracies. What happens when the information in the database is inaccurate?

Bordoloi Privacy Law under the Constitution The Supreme Court has ruled you have constitutional privacy rights that fall into three general areasThe Supreme Court has ruled you have constitutional privacy rights that fall into three general areas –The right to make personal choices about intimate matters such as child-rearing, education, marriage, medical care, etc. –The right to make personal choices about non- intimate matters, such as the clubs to which you belong or the people with whom you associate –The right to be left alone

Bordoloi Privacy Law under the Constitution So far, the Supreme Court has not recognized an individual's right to prevent the collection and dissemination of personal data by the governmentSo far, the Supreme Court has not recognized an individual's right to prevent the collection and dissemination of personal data by the government

Bordoloi Federal Legislation Electronic Communications Privacy Act of prohibits federal or state officials from accessing, intercepting, or disclosing or other electronic communications without a search warrantElectronic Communications Privacy Act of prohibits federal or state officials from accessing, intercepting, or disclosing or other electronic communications without a search warrant

Bordoloi Federal Legislation Fair Credit Reporting Act - gives consumers a right to obtain a copy of their credit report, and to challenge incorrect information. Also regulates the distribution of investigative consumer reports and requires consumers be notified when an investigative consumer report is requested by someoneFair Credit Reporting Act - gives consumers a right to obtain a copy of their credit report, and to challenge incorrect information. Also regulates the distribution of investigative consumer reports and requires consumers be notified when an investigative consumer report is requested by someone

Bordoloi State Legislation State laws vary widely. Illinois has a statute guaranteeing privacy protectionState laws vary widely. Illinois has a statute guaranteeing privacy protection

Bordoloi Privacy at Work Can your employer read your ? Three recent court cases upheld the employer's right to archive and review employee , as well as to terminate employees based on contentsCan your employer read your ? Three recent court cases upheld the employer's right to archive and review employee , as well as to terminate employees based on contents

Bordoloi Privacy at Work Privacy at Work Computer monitoring involves using computers to monitor employee activities and worker performance. For example, clerks can be monitored to determine if they are working at an appropriate speed. Workers complain that the monitoring adds stress to their jobsComputer monitoring involves using computers to monitor employee activities and worker performance. For example, clerks can be monitored to determine if they are working at an appropriate speed. Workers complain that the monitoring adds stress to their jobs

Bordoloi Privacy and Cryptography Public-key Cryptography - the science of keeping messages secret by encoding themPublic-key Cryptography - the science of keeping messages secret by encoding them A secret key (sequence of numbers/characters) is used with an algorithm to encrypt/decrypt messagesA secret key (sequence of numbers/characters) is used with an algorithm to encrypt/decrypt messages Important for Internet commerce where people send critical data such as credit card numbersImportant for Internet commerce where people send critical data such as credit card numbers

Bordoloi Ethics Society has reached a point where it is dependent on computers. Computers are found everywhere and are important in business and in our personal lives. An individual responsibility is to understand the use of computers so that we can better direct their application for society’s benefitSociety has reached a point where it is dependent on computers. Computers are found everywhere and are important in business and in our personal lives. An individual responsibility is to understand the use of computers so that we can better direct their application for society’s benefit

Bordoloi Ethics The standard code of ethics for computer professionals also applies to people who use computers. The main points from this code (from the textbook) include:The standard code of ethics for computer professionals also applies to people who use computers. The main points from this code (from the textbook) include: –Avoid situations that create a conflict of interest –Do not violate the confidentiality of your employer or those you service –Never misrepresent or withhold information that is germane to a problem or situation of public concern –Do not violate the rights or privacy of others

Bordoloi Ethics Take appropriate action when exposed to unethical or illegal practicesTake appropriate action when exposed to unethical or illegal practices Do not exploit the shortcomings of your employer’s computer system for personal gain (don’t steal by using the computerDo not exploit the shortcomings of your employer’s computer system for personal gain (don’t steal by using the computer

Bordoloi Computer Crime Each year it is estimated that the total cost of computer crime exceeds all robberiesEach year it is estimated that the total cost of computer crime exceeds all robberies The few laws dealing with computer crime are mostly federal and deal and make it a crime to illegally access a federal computer systemThe few laws dealing with computer crime are mostly federal and deal and make it a crime to illegally access a federal computer system Over 50% of computer frauds are internal - diverting funds, illegally copying softwareOver 50% of computer frauds are internal - diverting funds, illegally copying software Computer Hackers - these people attempt to tap into computer systems illegally, sometimes just for funComputer Hackers - these people attempt to tap into computer systems illegally, sometimes just for fun Software Piracy - This includes the theft of intellectual property and is covered by the Copyright Law of 1974Software Piracy - This includes the theft of intellectual property and is covered by the Copyright Law of 1974