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ETHICAL ISSUES IN COMPUTER AS AN INSTRUMENT TO TECHNOLOGY GROWTH

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The Ethics of a society deals with defining in concrete terms behaviors and conducts regarded as good or bad. Therefore every society sets a standard as to  whether certain acts are ethical or not. These rules have been established as a result of consensus in society and are often written into laws.

According to Walter Maner, the field examines "ethical problems intensified, changed or formed by computer technology". Her point of emphasis was that some of the problems confronting the ethical use of computer were new while others were old but are made worsened by the advent of computers. Deborah Johnson [1985] defined the computer ethics as the study of the moral challenges and dilemmas confronted in the use of computers.

Moor, (1985) considered computer ethics as a study concerned with "policy vacuums" and "conceptual muddles" with the regard to the manner information technology is applied. The issue has to do with the absence of policy to address the challenges of the wrong use of computers with respect to the existing moral values and also identifying the new policies which addresses the new options facing the use of computers. The study seeks to appraise the ethical issues in computer as an instrument of technology growth.

1.2   STATEMENT   OF   THE PROBLEM

The advent and the application of computers came with numerous benefits which were appreciated by the society. However the challenges which emanates seem to become a strategic issue requiring strategic solutions. Challenges such as computer "viruses" international spying by "hackers" attacks the clear essence of security in the field of Computer Ethics. According to Spafford, et al, 1989 other challenges included the lack of Privacy and confidentiality, Integrity, Unimpaired service, Consistency. Malicious kinds of software, or "programmed threats", provide a significant challenge to computer security.

The increase in computer crimes such as the include viruses inserted into other computer programs; embezzlement or planting of logic bombs, are normally committed by trusted personnel who have permission to use the computer system. Challenges of the attack of hacker who poses as computer risk, they break into peoples computer system without permission, steal data or commit vandalism, while others merely "explore" the system to see how it works and what files it contains. Hacking is harmful, because any known successful penetration of a computer system requires the owner to thoroughly check for damaged or lost data and programs. The problem confronting the study is to appraise ethical issues in computer as an instrument of technology growth.

1.3 OBJECTIVE   OF THE STUDY

The Main Objective of the study is to investigate ethical issues in computer as an instrument of technology growth; The specific objectives include:

1.  To determine the relevance of ethics in computer application.

2. To determine the ethical issues in computer as an instrument of technology growth.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.  What is the relevance of ethic in computer application?

2. What are the ethical issues in computer as an instrument of technology growth?

1.5  STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS

The statement of the hypothesis for the study is stated in Null as follows:

HO    The level of ethical challenges in computer application is high.

Ho   The effect of ethical issues on technology growth is high.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study shall proffer measure for combating the various ethical issues encountered in the use of computers as a means of enhancing technological growth.

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study was confronted with logistics and geographical factors.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

ETHICS: The Ethics of a society deals with defining in concrete terms behaviors and conducts regarded as good or bad. Therefore every society sets a standard as to  whether certain acts are ethical or not. These rules have been established as a result of consensus in society and are often written into laws.

COMPUTER ETHIC: Deborah Johnson [1985] defined the computer ethics as the study of the moral challenges and dilemmas confronted in the use of computers.

Moor, (1985) considered computer ethics as a study concerned with "policy vacuums" and "conceptual muddles" with the regard to the manner information technology is applied. The issue has to do with the absence of policy to address the challenges of the wrong use of computers with respect to the existing moral values and also identifying the new policies which addresses the new options facing the use of computers.

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