Being a good programmer also means being a responsible computer user. Computing ethics are the values that guide fair, legal and safe use of technology (ICSE Class 9).
1IPR, copyright & piracy
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protect creations of the mind — software, music, writing, designs — so creators control and benefit from their work. Copyright is the legal right that stops others copying a work without permission.
| Term | Means | |
|---|---|---|
| Software piracy | Copying, installing or sharing software without a proper licence | |
| Plagiarism | Presenting someone else's work as your own without credit |
- IPR protect creations of the mind; copyright stops others copying a work without permission.
- Software piracy is using/sharing software without a proper licence; plagiarism is passing off others' work as your own.
- Use licensed or open-source software and credit your sources.
2Privacy, data security & spam
Privacy is your right to control your personal information. Data security is keeping that information safe from theft or misuse:
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
- Share personal data only on trusted, secure (HTTPS) sites.
- Keep software updated and use antivirus.
Spam is unwanted bulk email/messages (often ads or scams). Don't open suspicious links or attachments, and mark spam as junk so it's filtered.
- Privacy = controlling your personal information; data security = keeping it safe from theft/misuse.
- Protect data with strong passwords, 2FA, HTTPS sites, updates and antivirus.
- Spam is unwanted bulk messages — don't open suspicious links/attachments; mark it as junk.
3Cybercrime, hacking & etiquette
Cybercrime is any crime committed using computers/the Internet — fraud, identity theft, spreading malware.
- Hacking — gaining unauthorised access to a computer or account. Doing it to steal or damage is illegal.
- Malicious code — viruses, worms and trojans that harm systems or steal data.
Good computing etiquette
- Be respectful and honest online; don't bully or troll.
- Respect others' privacy and copyright.
- Don't access systems or data you're not allowed to.
- Give credit, follow the rules of websites, and report wrongdoing.
- Cybercrime is any crime using computers/Internet; hacking is unauthorised access (illegal when used to steal/damage).
- Malicious code (viruses, worms, trojans) harms systems or steals data.
- Good etiquette: be respectful & honest, respect privacy & copyright, and don't access what you're not allowed to.
★ Practical: ethics in action
In your own words:
- Explain why using pirated software is unethical and illegal.
- List three ways you keep your personal data secure.
- Define spam and say what you should do with it.
- Write three rules of good online etiquette you will follow.
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