Using technology well isn't only about how — it's also about doing the right thing. Cyber ethics is the set of values that guide responsible behaviour online (CBSE 165, Unit 3).
1Netiquette — online etiquette
Netiquette ("Internet etiquette") is the set of good manners for online spaces — email, chat, forums and social media. Core rules:
- Be respectful and polite; remember a real person reads your message.
- Don't write in ALL CAPS — it reads as shouting.
- Don't spam, troll or post hurtful or false content.
- Respect others' privacy; don't share their information without consent.
- Check facts before forwarding; avoid spreading rumours.
- Netiquette is the etiquette (good manners) of communicating online.
- Be respectful, avoid ALL CAPS (shouting), and don't spam or troll.
- Respect privacy and verify facts before sharing or forwarding.
2Software licences & open source
A software licence is the legal agreement that says how you may use a program. Main types:
| Type | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Proprietary | Owned by a company; you buy a licence to use it, can't see or change the source code (e.g. Windows) |
| Open source | Source code is freely available to view, change and share (e.g. Linux, Firefox) |
| Freeware | Free to use, but source code not shared |
| Shareware | Free to try for a limited time/features, then pay |
- A software licence states how you are allowed to use a program.
- Proprietary software hides its source code; open source software shares it to view, change and share.
- Freeware is free to use; shareware is free to try then pay.
3IPR, plagiarism & digital property
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protect creations of the mind — writing, music, software, inventions — so creators control and benefit from their work. Tools include copyright, patents and trademarks.
- Plagiarism — presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own, without credit. It is dishonest and often illegal.
- Digital property rights — ownership of digital things (code, designs, e-books, domain names). Copying or selling them without permission is theft.
- IPR (copyright, patents, trademarks) protect creators' rights over their work.
- Plagiarism is passing off someone else's work/ideas as your own without credit.
- Avoid plagiarism by citing sources; piracy of software/media violates IPR.
4Digital divide & safe e-commerce
Freedom of information is the right to access information, especially from public bodies. But not everyone can access the Internet equally — the gap between those who have technology/Internet and those who don't is the digital divide (by income, region, age or education).
E-commerce security
E-commerce (buying and selling online) needs strong safeguards because money and personal data are involved:
- Privacy — protect customers' personal and payment data.
- Digital fraud — scams like fake sites, phishing and stolen card details.
- Secure data transmission — encrypt data in transit (HTTPS, the padlock) so it can't be read or stolen.
- The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to technology/Internet and those who don't.
- E-commerce must protect privacy, guard against digital fraud (phishing/fake sites), and use secure (HTTPS) transmission.
- Look for HTTPS (the padlock) and never share OTPs/passwords when paying online.
★ Practical: ethics in action
Answer in your own words:
- Give two netiquette rules you would follow in a class group chat.
- Name one open source program and one proprietary program you use.
- Explain one way to avoid plagiarism in a project report.
- List two things to check before paying for something online.
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