Visual Summary at a Glance – Privacy and Security
Privacy
Large Databases
Private Networks
Privacy
Internet and the Web
Traditional Cookies
Ad Network (Adware) Cookies
Major Privacy Laws
Security
Threats to Computer Security
Computer Crime
Malicious Programs
Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks
Internet Scams
Theft
Data Manipulation
Security
Measures to Protect Computer Security
Encrypting
Restricting Access
Anticipating Disasters
Backing Up Data
Ergonomics
Physical Health
Eyestrain and Headache
Back and Neck Pain
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
Mental Health
Noise
Stress/Technostress
Design
The Environment
The Green PC
System Units
Display Units
Manufacturing Process
Personal Responsibility
Conserving Energy
Recycling
Educating
Open-Ended
Discuss the Relationship Between Databases and Privacy
Every day, data is gathered about us and stored in large databases.
The federal government alone has over 2,000 databases.
Our Social Security number has become a national identification number.
Information resellers (aka information brokers) make up an entire industry that collects and sells personal data.
Electronic profiles are built containing highly detailed and personalized descriptions of individuals.
Some concerns involve the possibility of:
Identity Theft
The illegal assumption of someone’s identity for the purposes of economic gain.
Mistaken Identity
The electronic profile of one person can be switched with another.
The Freedom of Information Act entitles you to look at information kept by credit bureaus and government agencies.
Discuss the Code of Fair Practice. Why Has This Practice Not Been Made Into Law?
The Code of Fair Practice is a set of guidelines established by former Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Elliot Richardson. It addresses a number of privacy concerns and is supported by many privacy advocates.
The fact that it is not law can be argued for a variety of reasons, some political.
Discuss the Various Kinds of Computer Criminals.
Several types can include employees, outside users, hackers and crackers, organized criminals, and terrorists.
What Are the Principal Measures Used to Protect Computer Security? What Is Encryption? How Is It Used by Corporations and Individuals?
Some methods include using encrypted messages, restricting access via login/password combinations, biometric scanning, firewalls, anticipating disasters, and backing up data.
Encryption takes an email message and scrambles it so it is unreadable by anyone but the intended recipient.
Both corporations and individuals can send email this way, including the use of Pretty Good Privacy (PGP).
What Is Ergonomics? How Does Computer Use Impact Mental Health? Physical Health? What Steps Can Be Taken to Alleviate Technostress? What Is Ergonomic Design?
Ergonomics is the study of human factors related to things people use.
Impacts on mental health can include noise, electronic monitoring, and technostress.
Impacts on physical health can include problems with eyestrain and headaches, back and neck pain, and repetitive strain injuries such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Steps to alleviate technostress include trying to adapt computers to users rather than the other way around. Other ways to reduce stress include taking breaks, using ergonomically designed equipment, and eliminating electronic monitoring.
Using Technology
Spyware
This section refers you to Making IT Work.
Ergonomic Workstations
This section refers you to Tim’s toolbox section on Ergonomics.
Privacy Avocation Online
Air Travel Database
Have students search the web to find information about the Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-screening System (CAPPS).
Discuss the usefulness of such a system – what are the advantages and disadvantages of using this in terms of security and privacy.
Firewalls
Students are asked to write a one-page paper titled “Firewall Security” and answer questions discussed in the text, such as a) Define firewall, etc.
Plagiarism
Students are asked to write a one-page paper titled “Plagiarism” and answer questions discussed in the text, such as a) How is copying another person’s work easier, etc.
What Are Four Primary Computer Ethics Issues?
Privacy
Concerns the collection and use of data about individuals.
Accuracy
Relates to the responsibility of those who collect data to ensure that the data is correct.
Property
Relates to who owns data and rights to software.
Access
Relates to the responsibility of those who have data to control and who is able to use that data.
What Is an Information Broker? What Is Identity Theft? What Is Mistaken Identity?
An information broker is an organization that collects and sells information about private individuals.
Identity theft is the illegal assumption of someone’s identity for the purposes of economic gain.
Mistaken identity is when the electronic profile of one person can be switched with another. The Freedom of Information Act entitles you to look at information kept by credit bureaus and government agencies, helping you to avoid mistaken identity.
What Are History Files? What Are Cookies? Describe the Two Types of Cookies.
Your use of the Web may be monitored, including the creation of a “history file” including a list of all the sites you’ve visited.
Cookies are special files that capture information about the websites that you visit. Two basic types include:
Traditional Cookies
Monitor your activities at a single site.
Often used to provide customer service.
Ad Network (aka Adware) Cookies
Monitor activities across all sites you visit.
Examples include DoubleClick and Avenue A.
Programs called “cookie cutter programs” help to filter out these “bad” cookies.
Spyware is software that is designed to secretly record and report on an individual’s activities on the Internet. Adware is just one type of spyware.
Describe the Code of Fair Information Practice.
The Code of Fair Information Practice has been established to encourage organizations to follow its recommended practices. Note it is not law, but a recommended practice.
Identify Five Types of Computer Criminals.
Employees
The largest category of computer criminals.
Outside Users
Criminal suppliers and clients that have access to an organization’s computers.
Hackers and Crackers
Hackers are people who gain unauthorized access to a computer for the fun and challenge of it.
Crackers do the same for malicious reasons.
A “bomb” is a destructive computer program put into a system.
Organized Crime
Use computers just like legitimate businesses, only for illegal purposes.
Counterfeiters and forgers use computer technology.
Terrorists
Knowledgeable terrorist groups can disrupt computer and communication systems.
Describe Five Forms of Computer Crime.
Malicious Program
Viruses
Programs that migrate through networks and operating systems, most attach themselves to programs and databases.
Computer Abuse Amendments Act of 1994.
Worms
Special type of virus that doesn’t attach itself to programs or databases but fills a system with self-replicating information.
Trojan Horses
Programs that come into a system disguised as something else.
Denial of Service
Like a worm, it attempts to slow down a system.
DoS attacks flood a system with requests for information or data, typically via the Internet.
Internet Scams
A scam is a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation designed to trick an individual into spending their time or money for little or no return.
An Internet scam is a scam using the Internet.
Theft
Can take many forms, including theft of hardware, software, data, or computer time.
Software piracy is the unauthorized copying of programs for personal gain.
The Software Copyright Act of 1980 says it is legal to make a backup copy of software; however, these copies may not be sold or given away.
Data Manipulation
Finding entry into a system and leaving a message may seem like a prank, but it is against the law.
Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 makes it a crime for unauthorized persons to view, copy, or damage data using any computer across state lines.
It also prohibits the unauthorized use of any federal (or federally insured financial institution’s) computer.
List Four Ways to Protect Computer Security.
Encrypting Messages
Encoding messages and data so it cannot be read by someone without the decoding scheme.
Restricting Access
Keep unauthorized people away from systems by using some things such as:
- Biometric scanning devices such as fingerprint or retinal (eye) scanners.
- Passwords – secret words or codes that must be entered to access the system.
- Firewalls – hardware and software that acts as a security buffer between the corporation’s private network and all external networks, including the Internet.
Anticipating Disasters
- Physical security: protecting hardware from human and natural disasters.
- Data security: protecting software and information from unauthorized tampering or damage.
- Disaster Recovery Plans: contingencies for continuing operations during an emergency until normal operations can be restored.
- Hot sites: fully equipped backup computer centers.
- Cold sites: buildings with hookups, but no equipment.
Backing Up Data
Equipment can usually be replaced, but data may be irreplaceable.
Data should be encrypted if sent over networks, restricted from unauthorized viewing and modification, and backed up at a remote location.
What Is Ergonomics and Why Is It Important?
Ergonomics is the study of human factors related to things people use.
It is concerned with fitting the job to the worker rather than forcing the worker to contort to fit the job.
Discuss the Most Significant Physical Concerns (with Computers) and How They Can Be Avoided.
Sitting too long and working with computers can lead to:
Eyestrain and Headache
- Take a 15-minute break every hour or two.
- Avoid computer screens that flicker.
- Screen should be 3-4 times brighter than the background light.
Back and Neck Pain
- Make sure tables and chairs are adjustable.
- Monitor should be at or slightly below eye level.
- Keyboards should be detachable.
- Use a footrest to avoid leg strain.
Repetitive Strain Injury
RSI (aka cumulative trauma disorder) is a name given to a number of injuries.
Carpal tunnel syndrome consists of damage to nerves and tendons in the hands.
May use ergonomically designed keyboards, take breaks and rests from working on computers.
Discuss the Most Significant Mental Concerns (with Computers) and How They Can Be Avoided.
Noise
Women have been found to be more sensitive to noisy conditions, especially high-pitched equipment noises.
Use head-mounted microphones and earphones, as well as room soundproofing to reduce noise.
Electronic Monitoring
Research shows that people suffer more from electronic surveillance than from human.
FedEx and Bell Canada removed some electronic surveillance and found that productivity went up.
Technostress is the tension that arises when we have to unnaturally adapt to computers rather than having computers adapt to us.
What Is a Green PC?
Microcomputers use 5% of the electricity used in the workplace.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created the Energy Star program to discourage waste in the microcomputer industry.
The microcomputer industry has responded with the Green PC to address the reduction of power consumption by computers.
What Are the Basic Elements of a Green PC?
System Unit
- Use an energy-saving microprocessor.
- Employ microprocessor and hard drives that switch to sleep mode when not in operation.
- Replace supply unit with an adapter that uses less electricity.
- Eliminate the cooling fan.
Display
- Use flat panel displays (which use less electricity than CRT).
- Use “power-down” monitors.
- Use screen saver software that clears the display.
Manufacturing
- Reduce the amounts of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the manufacturing process.
- Other toxic chemicals and metals (nickel, other heavy metals) are removed from the manufacturing process.
What Other Actions Can You Take to Help Protect the Environment?
Conserve
EPA estimates 30-40% of computers are left on all the time.
EPA estimates that 80% of the time no one is looking at a monitor.
You can use a screen saver to help save energy.
Recycle
You can recycle paper, ink cartridges, packaging materials, as well as computer components yourself.
Educate
You can learn more on how to recycle, and encourage others to do the same.
