Ethical and Social Issues in Information Systems

Vocabulary items based on Chapter 4 lecture notes regarding the ethical, social, and political issues raised by information systems, including privacy threats, malware terminology, and health risks.

Ethics

Principles of right and wrong that individuals, acting as free moral agents, use to make choices to guide their behaviors.

Ripple Effect of IT

A model where IT is viewed as a rock dropped in a calm pond (society), creating ripples of new situations not covered by old rules.

Information Rights and Obligations

One of the five moral dimensions of the information age concerning the rights individuals and organizations have regarding information.

Property Rights and Obligations

A moral dimension of the information age focused on intellectual property rights and the protections for those who create digital content.

Accountability and Control

A moral dimension of the information age dealing with who is responsible for actions taken in the digital environment.

System Quality

A moral dimension that addresses the standards of data and software quality needed to protect individual rights and the safety of society.

Quality of Life

A moral dimension that explores the values that should be preserved in an information-based society, such as family and leisure.

Responsibility

Accepting the potential costs, duties, and obligations for decisions.

Accountability

Mechanisms for identifying responsible parties.

Liability

A concept that permits individuals and firms to recover damages done to them through legal systems.

Due Process

A process where laws are well-known and understood, with an ability to appeal to higher authorities to ensure laws are applied correctly.

Privacy

The claim of individuals to be left alone, free from surveillance or interference from other individuals, organizations, or the state.

Cookies

Files that identify a browser and track visits to a site, created automatically and saved on the user's computer when opening a web page.

Web Beacons (Web bugs)

Tiny graphics embedded in e-mails and Web pages to monitor who is reading the message or visiting the site.

Spyware

Small programs installed surreptitiously on a user's computer to monitor Web surfing activity and serve up advertising.

Computer Crime

The commission of illegal acts through the use of a computer or against a computer system, where the computer may be the object or instrument of the crime.

Computer Abuse

Unethical acts that are not necessarily illegal, such as spreading spam.

Spam

Unsolicited e-mail that results in high costs for businesses to manage and filter.

Malware (Malicious Software)

A general term for rogue software programs such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.

Viruses

Rogue software programs that attach themselves to other software programs or data files in order to be executed.

Worms

Independent programs that copy themselves from one computer to other computers over a network.

Smartphone Malware

Malicious software targeting mobile devices; a study found approximately $13,000$ types of smartphone malware.

Trojan Horses

Software that appears benign but does something other than expected, often hiding malicious tasks.

SQL Injection Attacks

Attacks where hackers submit data to Web forms to exploit unprotected software and send rogue SQL queries to a database.

Key Loggers

Programs that record every keystroke on a computer to steal serial numbers, passwords, or launch Internet attacks.

Hacker

A computer expert who enters databases or systems for the challenge or to prove merit without intending to cause damage.

Cracker

A computer expert who performs illegal or criminal activities, such as destroying systems, planting viruses, or stealing information.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

A strain occurring when muscle groups are forced to repeat work, such as typing on a keyboard.

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)

A condition of eye strain associated with the use of display screens on computers and smartphones.

Technostress

A negative psychological condition experienced by people due to the introduction of new computer technologies.