1. SOCIAL IMPACT OF COMPUTERS
Cashless Society
Computers & Employment
Easier-to-use computer systems
Presentation of Information
Issues of Computer Ethics

2. Cashless Society where NO one pays with CASH all you need is a CARD
one large database contains all accounts
it is no totally cashless now, except
credit cards
autopay systems
automatic teller machines
payment express terminals

3. Advantages & Disadvantages
reduces the risk of being robbed
saves time (queuing)
it is easy to spend more than you can afford
fraud

4. Computers & Employment
New jobs are created, for example:
data processing manager
systems analyst
applications programmer
systems programmer
database administrator
computer operator
data entry operator

5. Computers & Employment
However, it is expected that the no. of computer professionals will decline in future years
computers are made easier to use
unemployment will probably increase
more computers are used

6. Easier-to-use Computer Systems
hardware & software are being designed to meet the needs of a wider range of users
computer user-interface
becomes more ‘user-friendly’
special skills & training are not required
Advantages
cheaper computing
saving time in training staff
greater computer literacy

7. Presentation of Information
in the past
a design professional is needed
now
a presentation graphic software is enough

8. Issues of Computer Ethics
about what is right & what is wrong
many computer users adopt a code of ethics, for example
do not violate the confidentially of your employer
maintain system integrity at all times
do not violate the rights or privacy of others
do not break the law

9. Issues of Computer Ethics
Privacy
our personal information is store in many places, e.g., government departments
it may be misused
Confidentiality
Easy transfer
Accuracy

10. Issues of Computer Ethics
Piracy
the copyright law is broken when
people copying copyrighted software
and then even selling it
except for the purpose of back up, any reproduction of software is prohibited
Have you ever seen any pirated software for sale in Hong Kong?

11. Issues of Computer Ethics
Computer crime
is increasing every year
for example
a programmer change a program to transfer the money left in old accounts to his account
an employee at the public examinations office change his daughter’s results
its potential impact is huge
more thorough laws & better system security

12. Issues of Computer Ethics
Computer viruses
a subversive computer program that
can corrupt or erase data files
replicates itself & spread to other systems
can be imported to computer system through
disks
data transmission over networks
have many types (act quickly, slowly or like a time bomb)

13. Issues of Computer Ethics
Computer crimes
cost of retrieving lost programs & data is huge
to minimize the danger
avoid using disks that contain software from a doubtful source
scan the floppy disk with an anti-virus or ‘doctor’ program
to prevent infection through networks, only allow authorized users access, e.g., using passwords