1. 10 PRIVACY AND SECURITY CHAPTER
Just because something is on a computer doesn’t mean it’s safe from fire, theft, or disaster.
Every time a person interacts with a computer, information is exchanged; at a checkout line, getting a license, etc.
How can you protect your information?
There are ethical questions raised by the incorporation of computers into our society:
Environmental consequences
Health risks
Business ethics
Privacy
Copyright violation

2. Competencies (Page 1 of 2)
Discuss the privacy issues related to the presence of large databases, private networks, the Internet, and the Web
Describe the major privacy laws and the Code of Fair Information Practice
Describe the security threats posted by computer criminals, computer crime, and other hazards
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3. Competencies (Page 2 of 2)
Discuss ways that individuals and organizations protect their security
Describe the common types of physical and mental risks associated with computer use and ways to protect yourself against these risks
Discuss what the computer industry is doing, and what you can do to protect the environment
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4. Information Systems hardware data connectivity people procedures
software
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5. Information Systems Concerns for People
Privacy – What are the threats to personal privacy and how can we protect our selves?
Security – How can access to sensitive information be controlled and how can we secure hardware and software?
Ergonomics – What are the physical and mental risks to technology and how can these risks be eliminated or controlled?
Environment – What can individuals and organizations do to minimize the impact of technology?
Privacy – What are the threats to personal privacy and how can we protect ourselves?
Security – How can access to sensitive information be controlled and how can we secure hardware and software?
Ergonomics – What are the physical and mental risks to technology and how can these risks be eliminated or controlled?
Environment – What can individuals and organizations do to minimize the impact of technology on our environment?
Let’s look at the definition of computer ethics and privacy first
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6. Private Networks Employers monitor e-mail
Legally done
Snoopware Software
Online services right to censor content
Screen and reject messages
Terminate user accounts
Currently legal for employers to monitor electronic mail; survey reported 75% do so using snoopware
Snoopware records virtually everything you do on your computer
Most online services reserve the right to censor content; libel, obscenity, or offensive material
Can terminate your account for unacceptable “behavior” towards company
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7. Security and Computer Criminals
Threats to computer security are criminals, computer crime, and hazards
Computer criminals are of five types:
Employees
Outside users
Hackers and crackers
Organized crime
Terrorists
Computer crime – illegal action in which the perpetrator uses special knowledge of computer technology
Computer criminals – those using computer technology to engage in illegal action, five types
Employees – the largest category; may be trying to steal hardware, software, proprietary information and could be doing this out of resentment and trying to get back at the company
Outside users – could include employees and clients or suppliers having access to a company’s computer system; could obtain confidential passwords
“Hackers” and “crackers” – hackers gain unauthorized access to computer systems “for fun” but crackers have malicious intent including stealing information or introducing a “bomb,” a destructive computer program
Organized crime – tracking illegal enterprises, forgery, counterfeiting
Terrorists – could potentially crash satellites and wage economic warfare by disrupting navigation and communication systems
Concerned with security – on and off the Internet
Most people don’t realize that security involves theft by employees as well as deliberate thefts from viruses, electronic break-ins, etc.
Re-emphasize ethics as an integral part of security – what belongs to the company, belongs to the company (computer time, software, floppies, getting into area in computer where you don’t need to be)
If you do happen to go somewhere in network or Internet you really didn’t intend to go, back out right away
Tell your supervisor of the error and document what happened (how you got there, whom you told, and when you told the person)
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8. Computer Crime Number of Computers Crimes Going Up
Malicious Programs
Viruses
Worms
Trojan horse
Denial of service (DoS)
Internet Scams
Theft
Hardware or software
Data
Computer time
Data Manipulation
Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986
$1.5 trillion estimated to be lost in the past year from computer crime
Computer crime can take various forms:
Creation of malicious programs – called malware which is short for malicious software
Viruses – (**Use link to show table of common viruses when talking about viruses) migrate through networks and operating systems and most attach themselves to different programs and databases; can alter and/or delete files; can damage system components
Worms – (**Use link to show table of common worm types when talking about worms) a special type of virus
Doesn’t attach to a program
Fills the computer with self-replicating information or can be a carrier of a more traditional virus
Trojan house – programs that are disguised as something else; like worms they are carriers of viruses; can be innocently downloaded from the Internet
Denial of service attacks – denies service from ISPs by flooding a computer or network with requests for information and data
Internet scams – a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation to trick someone into spending money
Theft – hardware, software, data, computer time
Data manipulation – unauthorized use of data – law states that it’s a crime for an unauthorized person to even view data using any computer across state lines
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9. Other Hazards Natural hazards Civil strife and terrorism
Fires & floods
Winds
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
Civil strife and terrorism
Wars
Riots
Terrorist acts
Technological failures
Voltage surge
Use surge protector
Human errors
There are plenty of other hazards to computer systems besides criminals
Natural hazards include fires, floods, winds, hurricanes, etc.
Civil strife – wars, riots, etc. are real risks
Technological failures – voltage surges or spikes
Human errors – data entry are commonplace mistakes; programming, faulty design mistakes
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10. Measures to Protect Computer Security
Encrypting messages
Restricting access
Anticipating disasters
Backing up data
Encrypted
Security involves protecting information, hardware, and software from unauthorized use, damage from intrusions, sabotage, and natural disasters
Security growing field; currently have courses on Network security as well as
Encryption – coding messages to prevent people from reading your messages
Restricting access through passwords and firewalls
Anticipating disasters – companies and individuals should prepare
Physical security – protecting hardware
Data security – protecting software and data from unauthorized tampering or damage
And have a disaster recovery plan – describing ways to continue operating until normal computer operations can be restored; can create special emergency facilities called hot sites which are fully equipped backup computer centers or cold sites if hardware must be installed to be utilized
Use physical backups – off-site storage using tapes or disks in case of loss of equipment (World Trade Center; Mississippi floods for example; hurricanes in Gulf states; fires in California and national parks)
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11. Ergonomics (Page 1 of 3)
Study of human factors related to things people use
Physical Health
Eyestrain and headache
Back and neck pain
Repetitive strain injury
The study of human factors related to things people use; concerned with fitting job to worker rather than worker to job
Take regular breaks (like every hour or two) from computer monitor to avoid eye strain, back strain, or even vibrations from the system. Avoid monitors that flicker; ensure adequate monitor brightness
By keeping all objects on which you are working at the same distance, you avoid eye strain, neck strain or arm/wrist injury
Keep equipment (keyboard and monitor) at comfortable level – get a chair that adjusts or rearrange your equipment
Avoid repetitive strain injury (RSI) by again having your equipment comfortable to ease the stress on tendons and muscles in your arms, wrists, back, and neck
Billions of dollars in claims and productivity losses every year
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12. Ergonomics (Page 2 of 3)
Recommendations for the ideal microcomputer work environment
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13. Ergonomics (Page 3 of 3)
Computer technology offers ways of improving productivity but can create irritants other than physical
Noise
Electronic monitoring
Technostress
Stress associated with computer use
Computers tend to emit very low frequency noise that can be stressful and/or damaging to some people. Some printers emit considerable noise. Networking of peripherals (requiring fewer printers) and the advances in technology have helped cut out a lot of this; however, still a factor to be considered.
Workers electronically monitored have more health problems
Recently researchers have discovered what a common sense manager already knew: human monitoring yields more productivity than electronic monitoring
Capabilities of microprocessor stimulate manufacturers to load on the features, which often results in a product that is difficult to use. Trend is towards including fewer features and only those that are needed for particular job
Technostress – tension that arises when trying to adapt to computers
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14. The Environment
Microcomputers use most of the electricity in work environment. Turn off when not using (like evenings or weekends)
They account for 5% of the electricity used
Most systems now come with energy-saving screens that go into “sleep mode” when not used for period of time
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has created the Energy Star program to discourage waste in the microcomputer industry
Goal to reduce power required
Organized the Green PC concept
Look for energy star that indicates PC is working to follow guidelines established by EPA. What are characteristics of “Green PC”?
The Green PC
System Unit –energy saving microprocessor, eliminates cooling fan, has sleep mode
Display – flat panels, power-down monitors, screen-saver software that clears the display when not in use
Manufacturing – use of fewer harmful chemicals
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15. Personal Responsibility to Help Protect the Environment
What can you do?
Conserve
Recycle
Educate
What can you do to protect the environment as a computer user?
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16. A Look to the Future Presence Technology
Presence technology alerts you that someone is trying to reach you
People can locate you
People can tell which device is best to contact you
Could become a standard feature of new cars, phones, and appliances
Ask students to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of presence technology
Is it always good to be found?
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17. Discussion Questions
Discuss the relationship between databases and privacy.
Discuss the Code of Fair Information Act. Why has this act not been made into law?
Discuss the various kinds of computer criminals.
What are the principal measures used to protect computer security? What is encryption? How is it used by corporations and individuals
What is ergonomics? How does computer use impact mental health? Physical health?
Have students turn to the end of Chapter 10 in their textbooks to view the same “Open-Ended” questions/statements
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