4.10 Legal Implications Flashcards
Define hacker.
A person who gains unauthorised access to a computer system.
Define hacking.
To gain unauthorised access to data in a system or computer, usually done remotely using telecommunications links through the internet.
What is a virus?
A program or piece of software that has been designed to damage the normal operation of a computer. Generally they tend to destroy user files, display annoying messages or graphics or store themselves as ‘hidden’ files on the hard drive.
What is spyware?
A program installed on a computer which automatically collects user information over a period of time without the user’s knowledge or consent. Since spyware is secretly installed on the user’s hard drive and hidden, it can be difficult for the user to detect its presence.
It can collect various types of personal information relating to the user, such as internet sites visited, usernames and passwords, and financial information such as bank account numbers.
How do you eliminate the problem with spyware programs?
Anti-spyware software can be installed, which prevents unauthorised access to your personal information.
What is the main aim of the Computer Misuse Act 1990?
To deal with problems involving hacking, viruses and other nuisances by making the following illegal:
• Unauthorised access to computer programs and data, such as hacking into a computer system.
• Unauthorised access to a computer system with intent to commit a serious crime, such as planning a virus.
• Unauthorised modification of computer material.
Describe the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
This protects the property rights of people and organisations that create and produce material based on original ideas, also known as ‘intellectual property’. This applies to all individual creations including books, articles, music, films, software and artwork. The law prevents this material from being circulated or copied freely.
Define piracy.
The illegal copying or distribution of other people’s work.
State 4 examples of situations where copyright can be breached.
- Photocopying pages from a textbook and distributing them without the author’s permission.
- Using photographs from a website or text book without permission.
- Copying films on DVD and distributing them.
- Using music in advertisements or presentations without the composer’s permission.
Define plagiarism.
Presenting someone else’s material or ideas as your own.
What is software piracy?
The illegal copying or downloading of software.
What 4 main areas are covered by the Copyright legislation?
- Software piracy.
- The ‘theft’ by one company of the ideas and methods of other ICT companies.
- The use of ICT (including the internet) to copy or download material such as music/video/text-based files, thus avoiding the price of purchase
- Using unlicensed software.
What are the 2 main forms of software piracy?
- Individual users borrowing CDs or DVDs or using the internet to copy a piece of software to install on their computers.
- Professional criminals making copies in bulk and selling them through illegal outlets.
State 3 negative effects of software piracy.
- It results in higher prices for those customers who are buying software legally.
- It discourages software houses and programming experts from being innovative.
- It means that artists and creators are not getting the correct and rightful income from the sale of their products.
What does a software license do?
When a company buys a piece of software, they must also purchase a license to cover the number of users. They are then legally permitted to distribute the software to the specified number of users.
