“Ethics is a set of moral principles that govern the behavior of a group or individual.
Therefore, computer ethics is set of moral principles that regulate the use of computers.”
(Christensson¬). Ethics are needed because often people are put in situations of “What
should I do?” and in order to properly answer that question and take the proper course of
action guidelines should be given. In the Information Technology world there is a lot of
trust given to those who work for companies and have a lot of confidential information at
hand. Of course companies are going to want to have their employees be able to properly
handle confidential information; whether it be access to private company policies,
employee account records, or access to employee’s passwords. That information needs to
be protected. There are people who do not understand the importance of privacy and ethics
or there may be a thin line that people think is okay to cross when in reality it is not and it
is actually breaking one of the ethic commandments for the computing industry.
The ACM Code of Ethics Ten Commandments are as stated as:
1. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.
2. Thou shalt not interfere with other people’s computer work.
3. Thou shalt not snoop around in other people’s files.
4. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
5. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.
6. Thou shalt not use or copy software for which you have not paid.
7. Thou shalt not use other people’s computer resources without authorization.
8. Thou shalt not appropriate other people’s intellectual output.
9. Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you write.
10. Thou shalt use a computer in ways that show consideration and respect.
The first commandment states “thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people”. This
rule was put in place because people should not have to worry about an actually computer
device or a person on a computer harming them. A computer is meant to be used a safe
resource whether it be used for business or leisure. This code can be violated by someone
who cyberbullies a person or other people online. The person who is the doing the
cyberbullying is intentionally using their computer, cell phone, or other electronic devices
to harm a person using words, videos, pictures, etc. The second commandment states “thou
shalt not interfere with other people’s computer work”. The significance of this rule is that
