Week 12 Social and Ethical Issues

Lecture 23/5/08

In this lecture, the problems with computers and connecting to the world wide web are identified and explained. Issues that can occur with connecting to the Internet and using or supplying information include:

• plagiarism
• privacy invasion and
• identity theft.

These can be a major hassle for big company's because important information and company details could get into the wrong hands. Throughout the lecture we were also told ways in which we could protect ourselves against these problems.

We can protect ourselves from these problems by:

• Referencing our work to avoid plagiarism.
• Using secure webpages and not supplying information to unfriendly sites (this will prevent you from getting viruses and enabling people to see your details).
• Don't give your personal details to sites you do not trust and not opening emails when you do not know who they are from. This will prevent anyone getting your personal details and using them to get into accounts on the web (for example bank details).

Tutorial

Task One: Collect five information sheets that are relevant to an undergraduate and record your findings.

1. Databases, compilations, tables and forms.

This information sheet informs the reader about copyright against tables of information, indexes and forms, directories, anthologies, short stories, essays, poetry and databases. The information sheet tells us about how copyright works within a company (if an employee creates a compilation the employer owns it), copyright for a compilation lasts 50 years from the end of the year that the compilation was first published, performed or broadcasted. There are also common questions which are answered about creating compilations.

2. Educational institutions: introduction to copyright

Within this information sheet it informs us what copyright protects in Australia. Some of the examples it gives includes:

• written materials (books, articles, essays etc.)
• computer programs
• sound recordings (Cd's, cassettes etc.)
• published editions

It also provides information on penalties when copyright has been breached and provides answers for common questions.

3. Internet: copying and downloading

This information sheet is for people who want to copy or download information off the Internet. It informs us on what is protected by copyright and how you obtain copyright protection. It also tells you how you might infringe copyright. This can come about in many different ways, however if you make sure you have permission to copy another persons work, you are then protecting yourself from legal action.

4. Libraries: introduction to copyright

Copyright in libraries protects:

• Literary works - Journal articles, novels, poems, song lyrics, letters and reports
• Artistic works - Paintings, drawings, cartoons and graphic arts
• Musical works
• Dramatic works - Dance, plays and screenplays
• Cinetography films
• Sound recordings and
• Broadcasts

The copyright notice is not necessary for protection in Australia. It notifies people that the work is protected and who is claiming rights to the work. It lasts for 70 years from creator's death or from first publish date.

5. Websites: creating and publishing on the Internet

The copyright for websites are basically the same as the copyright for libraries, but has some extras. These include:

• Computer programs
• Compilations and
• Sound recordings

A website as a whole is not protected by copyright, however the component parts can have protection and may be owned by different people. When there is a situation where someone is paid to create a website, there should be an agreement which points out important issues such as who owns copyright elements of the completed website etc.

Task Two: What you need to know about music and the web.

• Downloading music off the web means that musicians and composers don't get paid for their works.
• New technology avenues are opening up for musicians. These include digital downloads, mobile phone ringtones and on-demand streaming. These avenues help prevent "illegal" downloading off the Internet.
• Rights that are exploited when music is downloaded or steamed onto the Internet include reproduction and communication to the public.
• Use of music which has copyright restrictions need the appropriate permission or clearances.

Reading Summary

Eff's Top 12 Ways to Protect Your Online Privacy

1. Do not reveal personal information inadvertently - configure you webpages so that you do not 'shed' you detail, including email, without even knowing it. You can do this through 'setup', 'options' or 'preferences' on you browsers settings.
2. Turn on cookie notices in your web browser - cookies are information that web sites store on your computer and (for example) remembers you email for when you next visit the site.
3. Keep you email on the down low - this will prevent spammers finding your email address and sending you UBE.
4. Don't reveal your personal details to just met friends or strangers - This will prevent identity theft.
5. Realize you maybe monitored at work - If you are going to check personal sites such as banking sites or email, it is best to keep that until you get home. With monitoring systems in workplaces, it is easier to get your details for these accounts then clicking your fingers.
6. Beware of sites that offer rewards or prizes in exchange for your details - This will just be marketing scams which collect your details so that they can be sold to other marketers out there and widen the range of spam that you will receive.
7. Do not reply to spammers for any reason - This provides them with the knowledge that the mail is being read by a real person and you will be on more mailing lists within no time at all.
8. Be conscious of web security - Do not give out highly personal information such as credit card details unless you know that the site that you are using is secure or encrypted.
9. Be conscious of home computer security - If you have DLS, broadband or any other connection to the Internet 24/7, make sure that you turn off you computer because wireless has less protection then the normal dial-up connection.
10. Examine privacy policies - Checking these policies enables you to no what will happen with you details once you enter them into a website.
11. Remember you are the one that give out the details. Beware!
12. Use encryption - There is more then spammers, nosy bosses etc. There are more harmful threats such as government surveillance, industrial espionage and identity theft. To prevent these from harming you, use encryption.