Module 6: Computer Ethics

If you are to choose your top 3 difficult-to-follow computer ethics commandments, what are these?

The top three difficult-to-follow computer ethics commandments are the following:

Thou shalt not snoop around other people’s files

Thou shalt not use or copy software for which you have not paid.

Thou shalt not use other people’s computer resources without authorization

I chose these three commandments because of many reasons. For the third commandment, it can’t be avoided and I admit that sometimes I can snoop other’s files. Like for example, the email messages of my sister. I am the one who open her account and check her email if there are new messages. But the reason behind this is that she doesn’t have the time to open her email because she doesn’t have an instant access to the internet. And not only email messages but also others files in Facebook. For the sixth commandment, I also find difficulty in following this because of the fact that programs are really expensive and I can’t afford for it. And also the software or copyrights of other people are being copied without paying. As student, we would prefer to download or copy their software because we can’t really afford of buying software. And for the seventh commandment it is the difficult task among the rest because honestly I can’t avoid from it. For example, if there is an emergency research and I really need to use the computer I failed to ask the owner’s permission and their authority.

What is ransomware? Which of the 10 computer ethics commandments is/are violated by ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware used for data kidnapping, an exploit in which the attacker encrypts the victim's data. A ransomware program can be installed from an e-mail attachment, an infected program, or a compromised or malicious web site. Most ransomware attacks are the result of clicking on an infected e-mail attachment or visiting a hacked website.Upon compromising a computer, ransomware will typically either lock a user's system or encrypt files on the computer and then demand payment before the system or files will be restored.

These are the commandments that are violated by ransomeware:

Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people. 

Thou shalt not interfere with other people’s computer work.

 Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you write.

Thou shalt use a computer in ways that show consideration and respect.

 

From the definition above it is obvious that it can really harm other people. And if one really thinks of the social consequence of his work, he should not implement this ransomeware. And above all, the person who would do this ransomeware really doesn’t have respect and doesn’t consider other people’s sake.

Suppose you are to add 2 more commandments to the existing 10 commandments of computer ethics, what are these? Are these 2 new commandments of equal importance to the existing ones?

The two commandments would be:

Though shall not use computer against religious organizations.

Though shall not use computer for fraud.

Yes, these two commandments are of equal importance with those existing ones. For the first commandment, this means that no one should use computer as a source that would destroy the image of persons involved in different religious organizations. Just like putting articles that brought negative feedback about the religious leaders in public. For the second commandment, this means that one should not use it for fraud like for example in conducting elections, and other activities.

Module 4: Finalist Theories

How often do you make an effort to practice your strengths and virtues? Are these traits key to a happy life?

Being a youth that grows from a community of religious people and god-fearing family, I believe that practicing one’s strengths and virtues are the key to a happy life. I can’t say that I practice these virtues every day, every minute, every second because I am just a human prone to mistakes and temptations. I can’t explain clearly how often but if I am going to rate myself from 1 to 10 my answer would be 8. 8 because most of my time I really did these.The 2, this could be the times that I can’t overcome my weaknesses and my negative traits. But I really tried my very best that if possible I can practice these virtues every second of my life because with it I can really feel the true happiness from my heart. I believe that these good virtues can be achieved if one really fears God and love Him because he will do the best things and acts that would really please God. And as what I have experienced every time I have done something good and practicing these virtues I can feel the contentment and a heavenly feeling within my heart - A happiness that no other things in this world can surpass.

For some, happiness relies on money. In some cases, hacking means money. Would you do hacking it if its outcome is a sure happiness of your family? What particular Aristotle theory contradicts this concept? 

It can’t be denied that majority of the people nowadays treat money as the main source of happiness. That he can’t be happy living in this world without it. And hacking is one source of having money. Hacking is unauthorized use of computer and network resources. It is the practice of modifying computer hardware and software to accomplish a goal outside of the creator’s original purpose. 

If I am to ask, I will not do hacking even though the outcome of it is a sure happiness of my family. Because I believe that it opposes the Aristotle’s concept that “Happiness is not pleasure nor it is a virtue. It is the exercise of the virtue.” Virtue is a trait that we cultivate and we may refer to it as goodness. And hacking is not a good virtue. Even though my whole family will benefit most of it but still it is not really good because the money comes from a wrong way. For example, let us assume that we have that money but still we can’t attain the real happiness from it because it can’t be taken by our conscience. And I believe that it is not a good virtue and God can’t be pleased if one will do such bad thing. And if I would not do hacking it is the same as that I am practicing the virtue of kindness.

Module 3: Preliminary Theories

"We are all here on earth to help others. What I can't figure out is what others are here for."  W.H.Auden
      God created us and we are existed here because of  different purposes. One of these may be because we are here to serve other people. We are here to realize that living here on Earth is not just about our own concerns, it's about considering others as well. That through other people around us we are able to see our sense of purpose of living. They let us realize our capabilities even if we have our own limitations. In other words, we are here because of the other people. We are created in order to become an instrument for them. Same is true with the other people, they are born to help us.

 Ethical egoists think that people will be happiest if they look out for themselves and not concern themselves with others but is this where true human happiness lies?
     True happiness can't be found on people who looked out for themselves but can be found to those people who value other. We can't be happy just because we satisfy our own wants. True happiness lies with the people whom we have offered our help. It's somewhat like an achievement. Though we are bound with limitations, by helping others we were able to realize that we could still offer them our helping hands without thinking of the things in return to our goodness.

What are the roots of egoism? Where does it come from? What do egotistical people FEAR?
       Pride, jealousy and greediness are the roots of egoism. These are within oneself. Egotistical people fear of being outdone by others because they are mostly self-centered and they always wanted to become superior.

Module 2: Ethics and Law

1. If I will become a part of the VSU team who will formulate a handbook to be implemented to the University or to CS students, the two policies would be :

a. Respecting rights of privacy.

Students must respect the privacy rights of all employees and administration. He must also respect the copyright of files and work of another and must not be shared and distributed without appropriate acknowledgment or permission from the owner (teachers) unless permission has been granted. Like for example at the department, students must not access to the administrator system and he must not copy some files from it neither put files to it without the approval of the teachers / staff.

• Once a student violates this policy, he must take the consequences. He will be interviewed by the staff and a series of queries will be raised to him.

• Then he will be writing and signing an agreement that he will never do it again.

• If he violates the second time around, he will be suspended for one month until he learns a lesson.

b.  Stealing the computer’s hardware parts and computer devices in any laboratory room / office at the department.

Student must not attempt to steal any computer devices at the department. This dev ices include the computer, mouse, cable wires and other hardware and all other devices owned by the department / university. Stealing is a sin and be reminded that the one whom you’ve cheated is not the person but God.

• Once a student will be caught, he will be punished. He will return or replace the devices he had stolen.

• He will ask apology to the staff / teachers.

• Next he will be interviewed and a series of queries will be post to him.

• Then, he will be send to the USSO for disciplinary action purposes.

2. There is a need to study computer ethics in order to guide and govern the use of computers and information systems as well as our moral behavior. As what we have observed nowadays in our society there is a rapid increase of conflicts because of ethical dilemmas brought by technology. And if there is no moral guidelines to be followed there will be a great chaos. People will continue to do the things what they wanted even if it is not already good, thus computer ethics is important. Like the different websites where pornography is found without computer ethics, viewers to these inappropriate websites will be rampant. Computer ethics are used from preventing these viewers especially the kids, teenagers of minor age from entering and watching to the sites where they don’t belong. Such sites may include inappropriate images and videos, violence and other information that the children shouldn’t know about. Websites with pornography can influence one’s behavior and attitudes and some of them are applying these to their lives which are not a good example. Thus, computer ethics is really important for us not only to be guided with the right moral values but as well as to be more knowledgeable enough in choosing the right decisions.

3. If I am to practice one type of the non-jural law for my entire existence I would choose the Divine law because it is the most powerful law among the other laws. And also this law comes directly from God’s will that man cannot change it, so it is independent from the will of man. Because divine law is eternal and infinite that other laws may fall under this. It includes not only the actions of human kind but as well as the whole universe, living or non-living things. And I do believe in the biblical saying “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you”. Just like in following rules or laws, I must prioritize or give more importance to the Divine law than the other laws for these laws shall just followed next. We human have brains and the other parts of the body like the hands, feet, and etc. I can compare these laws to our body. Wherein Divine law is the brain and the other laws correspond to the other parts. We can see that the Divine law directs or guides the other laws. This is because I can already apply and follow the biblical laws that I have known not only the Divine law but also the other laws. For example, in a certain situation if I am to choose between the good and the bad I will be able to determine what to choose because I am already guided with this Divine law. In other words Divine law is just like a package delivery that other laws are included.

PRAYER FOR PROTECTION

      PRAYER FOR PROTECTION 
 

I place myself in the presence of Jesus Christ and submit to his Lordship. I “put on God’s armor so as to be able to resist the deliver the devil’s tactics”. (Eph. 6:10-11) I stand my ground, “with truth buckled around my waist, and integrity of for a breastplate...(Eph. 6:14). I carry “the shield of faith” to put the burning arrows of the evil one...(Eph. 6:16). I accept “salvation from God to be my helmet, and receive the word of God from the Spirit to use a sword” (Eph. 6:17).

In the name of Jesus Christ, crucified, died and risen, I bind all spirits of the air, the water, the fire, the wind, the ground, the underground and the netherworld. I also bind the influence of any lost or fallen soul who may be present, and all emissaries of satanic headquarters, or any coven of witches or warlocks, or satan worshippers, who may be present in some preternatural way. I claim the Blood of Jesus in the air, the atmosphere, the water, the fire, the wind, the ground and the fruits all around us, the underground and the netherworld.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I forbid every adversary mentioned to communicate with or help one another in any way, or to communicate with me, or to do anything at all, except what I command in Jesus’ name.     

In the name of Jesus Christ, I seal this place and all present and all family and associates of those present and their places and possessions and sources of supply in the Blood of Jesus.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I forbid any lost spirits, covens, satanic groups or emissaries or any of their associates, or cause harm or take revenge on me, my family and my associates, or cause harm or damage to anything we have.

In the name of Jesus Christ and by the merits of His Precious Blood, I break and dissolve every curse, hex, seal, spell, sorcery, bond, snare, trap, device, lie, stumbling block, obstacle, deception, diversion or distraction, or spiritual chain of spiritual influence, also every disease of body, soul, mind or spirit placed upon us, or on this place and things mentioned, by any agent, or brought on us by our own mistakes and sins.

I now place the cross of Jesus Christ between myself and all generations in my family tree. I say in the name of Jesus Christ that there be no direct communications between the generation. All communications will be filtered through the Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mary the Immaculate clothe me in the light, power and energy of your faith. Father, please assign the holy angels and saints to assist me.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being my Wisdom, my Justice, my Sanctification, my Redemption. I surrender to the ministry of Your Holy Spirit, and receive Your truth concerning intergenerational healing.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end. AMEN.

Machine: Makes People Shine

      If I am a machine, I would like to be an airplane. Airplanes are flying vehicles powered by a  fuel. They cross to the different countries and continents all over the globe to send their passengers to the different places they wanted to go. Airplanes are also used as a medium of transporting goods and services to other places. But before an airplane can do all its tasks it needs a pilot that is in charge of the route of the travel. I choose this machine because my life is like an airplane. Like an airplane flying above the sky I wanted to soar up high reaching my dreams and ambitions in life. That before succeeding and reaching my goals , I need to exert and put up all my efforts, time, patience  and determination that serve as the fuel of my life. Airplanes cross all over the world. Just like me I will be dealing with different kinds of people with different attitudes and behaviors and I wanted to serve them and be an inspiration to their lives. And no matter how successful I am someday I will still be humble like airplanes that after flying always land .And I like airplane because it has a pilot that is in charged of the travel and it makes one's life shines and glows. And airplanes are useless if there will be no pilots.  Like life, each of us has a pilot that lead s and guides us  along our life's journey making our lives more meaningful . And we are nothing if we will not look upon on our pilot above which is the Almighty Father.

Moral Values: Portals of the Souls

      Moral values are the standard of good and evil, which govern an individual's behavior and choices. individual's morals may derive from society and government, religion, or self. 

      Promoting good moral values is a good habit, and as a concerned citizen I wanted to see myself doing it. And as a youth of today's generation, I would like to handle and conduct a seminar or a fellowship for the youths. This would be a three-day activity in which all the youths will be exposed to different public and religious activities like tree planting, cleaning the surroundings, prayers, and biblical readings. Lectures from the different spokespersons from the different areas will be discussed. Church representative like priests,municipal employees, teachers and businessmen are the prospective speakers for the seminar. They will tackle the different techniques, guidelines, good virtues ,ways and proper behavior in promoting and maintaining good moral values. And there will be an open forum after the  lectures. The participants or youths will be divided into groups and each group will have a bible sharing. This seminar will not just only build the camaraderie of the youths but will also teach the youths on promoting moral values.      

Life In The Future

 "What would I like to be after 5 years from now?