COMPUTER AND ETHICS

COMPUTER AND ETHICS

Computer Ethics is that branch of philosophy that is used to analyse the nature and social impact of computer technology as well as the standards of conduct with respect to proper use of computers . It involves social issues, such as access rights , working place monitoring, censorship and junk mail ; professional issues such as professional responsibility and code of conduct; legal issues such as legal obligations, data protection ,computer misuse and software piracy.

This field is sometimes referred to by other terms such as "cyberethics ", "information ethics" , " information and communication technology ethics", "global information ethics " , and "Internet ethics" .But whatever the field is called computer remains the essential technological feature .Computing technology, includes hardware, software, and networks, thereby, making highly flexible and powerful. Computers can be programmed to perform a wide range of functions. Because of this logical flexibility, computers carry out numerous and diverse applications in the society. Within a relative short period of time, compared to other technologies, computer technology has created huge new possibilities, and also the ethical and social implication on both business and an individual's life. However, ethical framework and laws that are developed, lag far behind all the new innovations. To fill this gap, it is essential to make timely efforts towards making laws, to corporate with company policy, personal policy and social conventions.