Effects of Using IT

Computers and the Law

Knowledge and Understanding SECTION 6 - The Effects of Using IT

a) b) c) d) describe what is meant by software copyright; describe what is meant by hacking; describe what a computer virus is; explain the measures that must be taken in order to protect against hacking and viruses;.

e) describe the effects of information technology on patterns of employment, including areas of work where there is increased unemployment; f) describe the effects of microprocessor-controlled devices in the home, including their effects on leisure time, social interaction and the need to leave the home; g) describe the capabilities and limitations of IT; h) discuss issues relating to information found on the Internet, including unreliability, undesirability and the security of data transfer; i) describe the potential health problems related to the prolonged use of ICT equipment, for example repetitive strain injury (RSI), back problems, eye problems and some simple strategies for preventing these problems;

j) describe a range of safety issues related to using computers and measures for preventing accidents

Copyright
Copyright is the name given to the protection of the rights of the
person(s) responsible for creating such things as text, a piece of music, a painting or a computer program. The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1989 - a criminal offence to be caught copying or stealing software. The Act also makes it an offence to:
copy or distribute software without permission run copyright software that has been bought on two or more computers at the same time unless the software agreement (licence) allows it

The Federation Against Software Theft (FAST)

Copyright
The main types of piracy are: The copying of software (and its packaging) to try to make it look like a genuine product. The copying and selling of recordable CD-ROMs that contain pirated software.

Downloading copyright software from the Internet. Because software can be downloaded from certain sites does not mean that it is free or legal for you to download.
The use of software on more computers in a network than the number of computers for which there are software licenses. www.fast.org.uk

Hacking
Hackers are people who gain access to computer systems without
permission and who then may detrimentally interfere with the programs and data.

Computer Misuse Act, 1990 to gain unauthorized access to computer material.

Deliberately plant computer viruses that damage program files and data.
Hack into a computer with the intention of seeing or altering information.

Use a computer to commit crimes (frauds): e.g. to create a fictitious worker and get money paid into this non-existent person's bank account.
Use your employer's computer to carry out unauthorized work.

People found guilty under the Computer Misuse Act may receive a large fine or a prison sentence.

Hacking

Viruses 1
A program that infects computer files and makes them do something unexpected or damaging. The virus is inserted into a computer file, and when the file is loaded, other files become infected. In 1986, one known computer virus. Today, up to fifteen new viruses every day. A hoax virus - an e-mail that is intended to scare people about a non-existent virus threat and make them delete files. Some viruses can destroy a computer's hard disk. In 1999, Melissa virus resulted in many of the world's largest companies having to shut down their e-mail systems In the year 2000, millions of people opened an attachment to an e-mail headed 'I love you' and thus infected their computers and spread this virus.

Viruses 2
There are three main types of virus:
Those that infect program files. The virus code is attached to program files and when the program is loaded, the virus is also loaded.

Those that infect system/boot files - a small program that tells the computer how to load the rest of the operating system. By infecting this boot (start-up) file, the virus is loaded into memory runs whenever the computer is on. Macro viruses. These are written in a macro language with an application such as Microsoft Word. The macro virus is executed when the document is opened. Over half of the known viruses are macro viruses spread by e-mail attachments.

Keeping data about You

Information is kept about us in many places. People are always asking us to fill out forms Purchases made
Questionnaires And surveys Likes and dislikes Exams passed

Details From e-mails

Medical details

Criminal convictions Records of Phone calls Political beliefs Car and insurance details

Misuse of Computer-based Data

Easier to make a copy without being noticed Quicker to make a copy attach a file to a disk and email it to yourself Harder to spot if it has been altered Easier to search through a computer file to find what you want Networks give a wider access to hackers

Data Protection
Rules about what information can be kept about you.

Many people have their details held on other people's computers - your school, your doctor. Can lead to many problems and dangers. Information held on one computer can easily be transferred to another. Some companies make money out of selling personal information. The information held on you might be wrong - entered incorrectly, out of date, been confused with someone elses!. It could state that you had been in trouble with the police when you hadn't, or that you owed money when you didn't. The 1998 Data Protection Act sets out in law the rules for processing personal information. A Data Protection Commissioner is responsible for enforcing the Act. The Act applies to paper records, as well as computer. data subjects people who have data held about them . data controllers The organizations and people who have the data.

Data Protection Act

You have a legal right to find out what information is held about you on computer You can write to the person or organization which holds the information. You are not allowed to check information held on you concerning such things as national security, crime prevention/detection, salaries and income tax

Data Protection Act, 1998: The eight rules: 1. Fairly and lawfully processed 2. Processed for limited purposes 3. Adequate, relevant and not excessive 4. Accurate 5. Not kept longer than necessary 6. Processed in line with data subjects' rights 7. Secure 8. Not transferred to countries without adequate protection

Information Systems and Society

ICT revolution - changes in the workplace. Offices use computer systems, connected by a LAN or WAN. WP, databases and e-mail, mobile telephones Videoconferencing via WAN and Internet - meetings without participants leaving offices Millions of teleworkers work at home or move using a PC and a modem to communicate with employers and/or clients. The benefits: time and money saved by not having to travel to and from a main office; hours can be flexible; people can work together over a very large area employers save money not having to run large offices. Good for disabled people However, teleworking is isolating, as one of the enjoyable aspects of a job in an office is socializing with other people.

Computers and the Workplace

JOBS BEING REPLACED BY COMPUTERS

1. Manual jobs replaced by robots e.g. car assembly 2. Manual jobs replaced by computer systems print workers replaced by DTP 3. Office jobs replaced by computers filing clerks

4. Banking industry
Teleworking Hot desking, work-centre shared by different companies De-skilling - in some factories where 'new' jobs involve packing boxes and sweeping up.

Computers and the Workplace

JOBS BEING CREATED BY COMPUTERS

1. Jobs involving the design and manufacture of computer hardware 2. Systems analysts and programmers 3. Network managers and technicians 4. computer design & animation 5. Internet changed commerce Ecommerce
Pros: More work done Computers can do boring jobs Cons: Expensive to keep up with latest technology Some job losses

Is information technology a good thing?

Arguments in favour
jobs replaced by computers - mundane. People free to do more interesting tasks. Higher productivity means fewer hours same standard of living. More leisure time will improve quality of life. Other countries use IT. Our goods and services must become competitive. Many tasks - impossible without IT. Airtraffic control, credit cards, space travel and medical research. New jobs created by the introduction of IT e.g. programming, network managing.

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Is information technology a good thing?

Arguments against
Life without IT is slower and less stressful. Computers are cheaper than people lead to higher unemployment. New jobs created by IT are highly skilled Storage of personal data on computer has eroded people's privacy. Gap widened between countries able to afford new technologies and those that can't.

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Identity cards move a step closer

Driving licenses in credit card format a photograph. add a microchip to these cards, - a 'smart card'.
details of endorsements for motoring offences, whether the driver was willing to donate organs health details such as allergies. National Insurance details,

Many people worried - they see it as a possible identity card identity card help fight crime Britain - only European country not to have one.
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Social Effects - Good

More leisure time Growth of technology at home Living in a global village Development of problem solving skills More efficient ways of working - decrease in hours people work - more time on leisure

Personal computers used at home, mobile telephones and information system devices
Growth of telecommunications - Internet 'global village'. More tolerant with different cultures Computer games develops problem-solving skills and encourage collaboration and teamwork

Social Effects - Bad

Information Rich And Information Poor Development Of internet Over-reliance On Technology Impact On Literacy Faster Pace Of Life
Computers are expensive Two tier society Email & home shopping make us less fit Lose personal skills Children having mobile phones Possibly another millennium bug danger

Too many computer games less time reading Education standards will drop
Too much stress Changes in technology all the time The pace of computers means work harder

Environmental Effects
the need to power millions of computers has increased the electricity consumption but Consumption of electricity reduced as computers carefully control air-conditioning and heating systems

Some saving on the use of paper (and therefore trees) as data is communicated and stored digitally.
teleworking from home - less travel to and from work - a reduction in traffic pollution.

Social and Legal

How far should the law go in giving the police access to personal data, or e-mails, in order to fight crime or to defend national security?

Hacking and the pirating (stealing) of software

Health and Safety

RSI - Repetitive Strain Injury ('mouse arm) caused by long periods of typing or using the mouse. Also caused by poor workstation set-up. Can be extremely painful. Tens of thousands of people suffer from it. What can be done to stop RSI? Regular breaks or changes in activity. 5-10 minutes every hour Mouse immediately to the left or right of the keyboard. Hold mouse loosely - don't use continuously for long periods. Use wrist and/or arm rests. Keyboards should be easy to use, tilted and separate from the screen. Sufficient space in front of the keyboard to rest hands or arms. Stretch and move your hands, wrist and neck as a form of exercise.

Web 2.0 technologies

changing trends in the use of the internet and web design creativity, communications, collaboration dot-com collapse marked some kind of turning point for the web a set of principles and practices that tie together many Interaction is the hallmark of Web 2.0. A plethora of web based communities and hosted services like weblogs, wikis, podcasts

Blogs
commentary on a topic On-line diaries combines text, images, and links to other blogs readers can leave comments in an interactive format

Digital media uploading (YouTube)

Image and video sharing websites allow users to upload and share their pictures and video. Broadband internet, larger hard drives and faster CPUs allow more individuals to work with digital video files. Websites such as YouTube provide user interfaces that include support for text-based special-interest discussion groups as well as video blogs

Wikis
Wiki is a piece of server software that allows users to create and edit Web pages - Wiki Design Principles
Create group communication and collaboration across the internet project work Sound text, pictures, video Groups form around specific topics higher education authoritative but possible bias Need monitoring heavy in personnel Occasionally need authorised use http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7004.pdf Pride of ownership

Health and Safety

Back problems caused by incorrectly set furniture or equipment.
What can be done to stop back problems? Chairs - adjustable height, swivel, tilting backrest, correct height to use keyboard and screen. Sit in a comfortable position (posture). frequent short breaks, stand up, walk around.

Eyestrain linked to using computer screens for long periods, to poor

lighting, glare and being too close to, or too far from, the screen. Size of fonts and colours used in software can all affect the eyes.
What can be done to stop eye problems? Computer screens should: Not flicker Allow brightness and contrast settings to be easily changed Tilt and swivel positioned to avoid glare and reflections from lights or windows, and be fitted with glare-reduction filters.

Health and Safety

Pregnancy There are concerns that pregnant women's unborn babies may be affected by electromagnetic radiation from the computer screens used by these women. Computer manufacturers now produce lowemission screens to combat this.

Health and Safety

Safety Employers responsibilities
Computers are powered by electricity, so the following measures must be taken in all workplaces. Electric sockets are not to be overloaded with lots of plugs or long extension leads. No cables are to be left on the floor for anyone to trip over or damage. Cables should not be coiled the heat generated could start a fire. Computer equipment is to be regularly tested for safety. CO 2 fire extinguishers are to be available in case of fire. Food and drink are not to be consumed around a computer in case of spillage. Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974 on general health and safety issues. Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations, 1992 More specific legal standards for computer safety . For people who use computer screens continuously as part of their work - do not apply to students. Compaq has an excellent website dealing with health and safety issues and computers. http://www.compaq.com/comfortguide