Ethical, legal and environmental impacts

Question 1

List some legal issues of using computers

Answer 1

Data theft, corruption of data, identity theft, use of pirated software, fraud and harassment

Question 2

What are the provisions under the Computer Misuse Act (1990)

Answer 2

It states that it is illegal to make any unauthorised access to computers with the intent to blackmail people or modify files

Question 3

How can a computer be protected from hacking

Answer 3

Using anti-virus software, firewalls, authentication, digital signatures and secure socket layers

Question 4

What are the provisions under the Freedom of Information Act (2000)

Answer 4

It ensures that the public receives information held by public authorities such as government departments, local authorities, state schools and police when requested

Question 5

What does the Communications Act (2003) ensure

Answer 5

It ensures that the Wi-Fi of users is not misused and prohibits use of offensive language in any communication system

Question 6

What is the function of Data Protection Act (1998)

Answer 6

This act protects personal data stored in computer systems

Question 7

What type of data is exempted in the Data Protection Act (1998)

Answer 7

National security, crime, taxation and domestic purposes

Question 8

What are the provisions of CPDA act

Answer 8

CPDA act protects the intellectual property of an individual or organisation from being copied, modified and distributed without proper permission from owner

Question 9

What features are included in commercial software to prevent its illegal distribution

Answer 9

License agreement and license key

Question 10

How is CPDA referred to

Answer 10

‘all rights reserved’

Question 11

What is the function of creative commons

Answer 11

It is an organisation that issues license to owners where the holder may choose to reserve copyrights to some part of the work, while allowing other parts to be copyright free

Question 12

How are licenses issued by creative commons referred to

Answer 12

some rights reserved

Question 13

List some organisations that develop proprietary software

Answer 13

Microsoft, Adobe and Apple

Question 14

What are the advantages of using proprietary software

Answer 14

Owner of the software takes complete responsibility.
Support from organisation in commercial form and through community

Question 15

What are the advantages of using open-source software

Answer 15

Available for no cost, users may modify software according to their needs and can be installed on multiple computers

Question 16

What are the disadvantages of using open-source software

Answer 16

No one takes responsibility for failures and only community support is available

Question 17

List some ethical standards laid down by the British Computer Society for computer professionals

Answer 17

Not doing any activity that could dishonour the profession, not taking up work that is beyond his/her capabilities, not taking bribes and avoid injuring others

Question 18

List some the ethical and cultural issues

Answer 18

Privacy on social networking sites, censorship, work culture and automatic decision making

Question 19

How have computers changed the way everyone works

Answer 19

The skillset required for each job is now different. People with computer and IT skills are preferred over others

Question 20

How does artificial intelligence work

Answer 20

Artificial intelligence works by creating a knowledge base using conditional statements. An inference engine searches the knowledge base to obtain results. An interface interacts with the user or system connected

Question 21

State an application for artificial intelligence

Answer 21

Chatbots

Question 22

How do computers create environmental issues

Answer 22

Disposal of old computers releases harmful chemicals that are hazardous and have undesirable health impacts