-ANSWERS- CS 192 modules 11-13

What is computer crime?

A computer crime or the cybercrime is simply refers to any crime that involves a computer and a network. The computers may have been used in the commission of a crime, or it may be the target. 

Generally, it refers to criminal exploitation of the Internet. Issues surrounding these types of crime have become high-profile, particularly those surrounding with hacking, copyright infringement, child pornography and may more issues. The problem of privacy may also arise when confidential information is lost or intercepted, lawfully or otherwise.

Cyber-crimes are also grouped into three categories. The first are those in which the computer comprises the "object" of a crime and in which the perpetrator targets the computer itself. This includes theft of computer processor time and computerized services. The second category involves those in which the computer forms the "subject" of a crime, either as the physical site of the offense or as the source of some form of loss or damage. This category includes viruses and related attacks. Finally, the third category includes those in which the computer serves as the "instrument" used to commit traditional crimes in cyberspace. This encompasses offenses like cyber-fraud, online harassment, and child pornography.

Give an example of a computer crime not stated in the Computer Ethics blog.


Another example of a computer crime are HARASSMENT and DRUG TRAFFICKING. 


HARASSMENT refers to a direct obscenities and derogatory comments at specific individuals focusing on certain issues like for example on gender, religion, nationally, sexual orientation. This type of cyber crime is often occurs in chat rooms or in social networking sites such as in Facebook and twitter. This can be done through newsgroups and sending hate emails to interested parties. Any comment that may be found derogatory or offensive is considered harassment.
DRUG TRAFFICKING drug traffickers are increasingly taking advantage of the Internet to sell their illegal substances through encrypted e-mail and other Internet Technology. Some drug traffickers arrange deals at internet cafes, use courier Web sites to track illegal packages of pills, and swap recipes for amphetamines in restricted-access chat rooms.The rise in Internet drug trades could also be attributed to the lack of face-to-face communication. These virtual exchanges allow more intimidated individuals to more comfortably purchase illegal drugs. The sketchy effects that are often associated with drug trades are severely minimized and the filtering process that comes with physical interaction fades away.


What is stated in section 33a of Republic Act 8792?
Stated in Section 33a of Republic Act 8792 that...
(a) Hacking or crackling with refers to unauthorized access into or interference in a computer system/server or information and communication system; or any access in order to corrupt, alter, steal, or destroy using a computer or other similar information and communication devices, without the knowledge and consent of the owner of the computer or information and communications system, including the introduction of computer viruses and the like, resulting in the corruption, destruction, alteration, theft or loss of electronic data messages or electronic documents shall be punished by a minimum fine of One Hundred Thousand pesos (P 100,000.00) and a maximum commensurate to the damage incurred and a mandatory imprisonment of six (6) months to three (3) years;


In Visayas State University, there is an office that deals with protecting the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of those who publish their intellectual output works. What is this office that caters with IPR concerns? Who is the head of this office?


The office who caters with the IPR concerns is the Office of the Director of Research and Extension (ODREx) and the head of the office is Dr. Othello Capuno.

Midterm -Answers to Question-

Prostitution, human trafficking, slavery, exploitation especially towards women is no longer a new issue to us. It’s all been there way back the Spanish time, were they first abuses our Filipino women. Well, what I’m trying to say is, it has been in our history so long time ago and still we never learned for it and haven’t solved it. Many years, decades and centuries that passed-by and still it remains the biggest issue in the society.

 There are laws towards these things, but still that laws had nothing to do to make it totally stop. Thus, these wicked activities still continuously dominating our society like a virus.

And today, the people who are responsible of this are now using a new media which is the internet; it is the most dominating of all media. For which in just browsing the net you will see a loads of web pages that hosted activities like human trafficking and prostitution. And the most terrifying part is children can browse these web pages as well.

One of these web pages is www. Findsomeromance.com, in which in this site faces of young Filipinas are lined-up as if it is for sale. Nature of the site is to attract foreigners and made them pick for a bride. And so, is it now the new way of courting? How pathetic!

So, to make things clearer let me answer some of these questions…

What are the ethical issues that seem to enslave this growing industry?

Well for me the number 1 issue who enslaved this growing industry is the issue POVERTY. People who are indulging with poverty are so desperate to do anything just to survive, even if this means of losing their dignity.

The poverty I am referring to is not just all about lack of financial support but it also considers the lack of education, affection and love from their families and friends, guidance and the environment they grown-up with. These factors really affect a person and in some way can push her/him through doing these things. And thus, these factors are very much visible in our society. Have you noticed every now and then there are marriages who broke-up, which will result to a broken family and sometimes in this situation the children were mostly the one who will suffer most. In which will also usually end-up to their rebellion and for me that will be the start of their misfortune as well as the misfortune of the society as a whole if there is no proper guidance from the parents together with the help of the government.

Therefore, for me the issue of poverty is the main issue who enslaved this industry.

Is there much of a difference between the mail order brides industry and companies that provide escort services versus meeting someone over the Internet in a chat room?

Well in this case I depends in your purpose and to whom you chatting to. If you are just chatting with a friend or one of your family members then there’s nothing wrong at all.

But if the chatting you are doing is beyond the ordinary. In which what we call the cyber sex. Then, it gives no difference at all with the mail order brides and escort service industries. It all means prostitution. It is about selling ones dignity and humanity. And into our law it is a crime and to all who are involved it has a corresponding punishment. It is an unethical doing in the eyes of the society especially in the eyes of the church.

Does this industry differ much from arranged marriages that take place in some cultures or in the case of "female escorts", does this differ from prostitution?

I do believe that arranged marriages of some cultures are far more different from the industries sited above. For the reason that in arranged marriages parent or the families are involved. As a matter of fact they are the one responsible of it.

And why do you think they are doing this?... if you try to look at it from their perspective. They just want the best for their child. So, as a result they are the one who find the best partner they think is the best for their children.

Although there are some instances that the result of this arranged marriages are the misfortune of their children, especially for those who are forced to do so. But still we can’t consider it as an act of prostitution because of the idea that parent just want the best for their children and just want to ensure their future. As well as arranged marriages has been accepted in the society a long time ago. In some way it is the way of some cultures in preserving their race. Along with this set up there are still some arranged marriages that have worked out this situation all the way and now they are having a good family.  

Thus, for me arranged marriages will never be considered as act of prostitution because of its promise of a good future. This isn’t about selling ones dignity just to earned money. This is about building a family and staying together forever if possible.


Similar sites:
http://www.bridesbymail.com/mob/asia.html
http://ph.88db.com/Cebu/Business-Services/ad-1059972/

Non-jural Law --- DIVINE

There are 4 types of non-jural law. Divine, natural, moral and physical. If you are to practice just one type of the non-jural law for the entire existence of your life, what would it be and why?

Well for me I would rather choose “Divine”. For the reason that… uhmm, for me it’s a package!!! -- If you would practice this kind of non-jural law then it feels like you would also be able to practice the others as well. Because “Divine” isn’t about goodness for oneself, but goodness of everything. It is about pertaining to the entire system of faultlessness and perfection. As what I've said all other laws would fall under this law as it encompasses and governs not only the human action but the whole universe as well. 

Ethical VS Unethical

According to the definition of ethics, it can be connected to the norms or custom of the society. What could be ethical to one, could be unethical to another. If this is the case, in which ethics seem to be subjective in nature, why is there a need to study computer ethics at all? Support your opinion with facts.

Yes! Ethics is really connected to the norms or custom of the society; especially here in our country it is certainly our basis of what is moral. And for me “Homosexual” is one of the things which is ethical to other countries yet still considers unethical to us. It is because of the religion and beliefs we believed in. We believe that it is only man and women god had created; Hence, homosexual is still prohibited in the country. But nowadays, I can say that Filipinos are now open-minded and homosexuals are beginning to find their voices for equal rights.

Thus, ethics is really subjective in nature for it is pertaining to the characteristic of each individual and placing excessive emphasis on his own moods, attitudes and opinions and then it’s up to him to put it in action.

           And I also believe that studying about ethics is still an important one. We can never say that these things are so common that we have known this since childhood so we don’t have to study it now. Many things have changes as we grow up, some of our beliefs changes, our opinions due to some problems or modernization I supposed… So for me it’s nice to reminisce at one self right now. And bring back the values we've grown-up with. And don’t let the modernization of the world be the hindrance for executing these values in our daily lives. 

Policies

Visit this site. http://www.itc.virginia.edu/pubs/docs/RespComp/rchandbook.html (This is about the student handbook on computing for the students of Virginia University. Read and understand their handbook.)

If you are to become a part of the VSU team who will formulate a handbook like that of Virginia University, give at least 2 policies that you want to be implemented in VSU or even just for CS students like you, regarding computing. Also include sanction or sort of punishment to those who will violate the said policy.

Misuse and Inappropriate Behavior

• Using a computer system without proper authorization granted through the University, college, or department               management structure. Some activities such as “port scanning” are not expressly prohibited.  However, if the target of such scanning requests that an individual or system stop performing such actions, the person or system performing the scans must stop scanning the target machine unless the scans are being carried out by a system administrator who has the authority and responsibility over the machine(s) being scanned or for the network being used.
• The unauthorized removal of university or another’s computing equipment, which constitutes theft.
• Reselling of services based on the university network, such as web hosting, mailing services or the selling of shell accounts.

Privacy

• A user can explicitly grant access to his or her directories, files or to services run from his or her systems. However, users who issue general or vague invitations to browse through their files incur a special obligation to protect any material that they do not wish others to see.  Indeed, all users are urged to maintain protection levels on their files consistent with the access they are actually willing to give to other users.

Enforcement
Inappropriate behavior in the use of computers is punishable under the general university policies and regulations regarding faculty, students and staff. The offenses mentioned in this policy range from relatively minor to extremely serious, though even a minor offense may be treated severely if it is repeated or malicious.  


Appropriate disciplinary action depends not only on the nature of the offense, but also on the intent and previous history of the offender. The range of possible penalties includes reprimands, loss of computing privileges, course failures for students, disciplinary probation, suspension or dismissal from the university and/or criminal prosecution.


Offenses that are minor or appear to be accidental in nature are often handled in a very informal manner such as through electronic mail. More serious offenses will involve formal procedures pursued through the Division of Student Affairs for students, Human Resources and/or the hiring university department.