Week 12: Social & Ethical Issues

LECTURE:

This lecture discussed the risk of web identity theft. People who put their personal details on social internet sites could be at serious risk of fraud.

Problems on the net:
*Intellectual Property
*Copyright
*Plagiarism
*Security
*Privacy
*Freedom of Speech

How to protect yourself?

*Install a Firewall
*Install Antivirus software
*Beware of Attachments
*Be aware of Spyware
*DO NOT give personal information about yourself
*Do not reply to SPAM mail
*Set online programs like ICQ, MSN Messenger & Internet Browsers to maximum security settings
*Use Peer 2 Peer (P2P) software with caution
*Update your Antivirus software at least weekly
*Always scan documents (with Antivirus software) before you open them for the first time.

TUTORIAL:

5 Information sheets from http://www.copyright.org.au

1. Artworks
2. Artworks: Getting permission
3. Assigning & licensing rights
4. Computer software
5. Fair dealing

All of the above information sheets discuss the law of copyright, reproducing work, using someone else's work and referencing. These information sheets are very useful when you need to find out a certain law or rules about the copyright of a particular subject. I will most certainly search for these information sheets if I need to know something about the copyright or reproducing of someone else's work.

ONLINE MUSIC, DOWNLOADING and MUSIC COPYRIGHT
APRA from http://www.apra.com.au/music-users/online_mobile/online_mobile.asp

Often people are under the impression that downloading music is free, although, the artists do not actually get payed and it is concidered theft. The APRA has licensed the use of music online and are able to ensure that composers, songwriters and music publishers are properly reimbursed for the exercise of their rights. There are a number of rights which can be exploited. These include:

*the reproduction of a musical work
*the communication to the public of a musical work

PLAN TO PROTECT MYSELF FROM ATTACKS ON MY PRIVACY AND SECURITY:
from http://netsecurity.about.com, http://computer.howstuffworks.com/virus6.htm and http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2100282,00.asp

How to protect yourself?

*Install a Firewall
*Install Antivirus software
*Beware of Attachments
*Be aware of Spyware
*DO NOT give personal information about yourself
*Do not reply to SPAM mail
*Set online programs like ICQ, MSN Messenger & Internet Browsers to maximum security settings
*Use Peer 2 Peer (P2P) software with caution
*Update your Antivirus software at least weekly
*Always scan documents (with Antivirus software) before you open them for the first time.
*run a more secure operating system like UNIX.
*buy a virus protection software
*avoid programs from unknown sources
*Enable Macro Virus Protection in all Microsoft applications
*NEVER run macros in a document unless you know what they do
*never double-click on an e-mail attachment that contains an executable.

It is thought that Windows Vista is actually weaker, or more prone to malware infection and compromise than Windows 2000

READING 1: "EFF's Top 12 Ways to Protect Your Online Privacy"

This reading gave us 12 easy ways to protect yourself.
1. Do not reveal personal information inadvertently.
2. Turn on cookie notices in your Web browser, and/or use cookie management software or infomediaries.
3. Keep a "clean" e-mail address.
4. Don't reveal personal details to strangers or just-met "friends".
5. Realize you may be monitored at work, avoid sending highly personal e-mail to mailing lists, and keep sensitive files on your home computer.
6. Beware sites that offer some sort of reward or prize in exchange for your contact information or other personal details.
7. Do not reply to spammers, for any reason.
8. Be conscious of Web security.
9. Be conscious of home computer security.
10. Examine privacy policies and seals.
11.Remember that YOU decide what information about yourself to reveal, when, why, and to whom.
12.Use encryption!

READING 2: "Ethics in Computing - Social Justice Issues: Electronic Monitoring"

This reading is very similar to all the readings I have read so far. It talks about ways to protect yourself and the DO's and DON'Ts of giving out information.

READING 3: "Brown & Michaels - Overview of Intellectual Property"

The reading tells you what software to install in order to protect yourelf. I thought this was very useful as a resource.