Computer Hacking and Ethics   Term Paper ID:39243 Click to get this paper

Essay Subject: This paper discusses computer hackers and hacking and ethics including both ...... More...

6 Pages / 1350 Words 6 sources, 13 Citations, MLA Format $24.00 Return to List of Papers

Paper Abstract: This paper discusses computer hackers and hacking and ethics, including both the ethics of hackers who hack for positive reasons (White Hats) and those who hack for what are considered harmful reasons (Black Hats). Various definitions of hacker ethics are provided. Paper Introduction: Computer Hacking Introduction A basic definition of a hacker is an individual who attempts topenetrate security systems on remote computers Mizrach As computertechnology has evolved so has both the nature of hackers and hacking Ina security context there are ethical and unethical hackers Originallyhackers Steve Jobs and Bill Wozniak discovered how to create the personalcomputer and co-founded Apple computers In contrast to ethical hackersknown as white hats the black-hat hackers are unethical and penetratecomputers for harmful reasons like David L Smith who\'s Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. (Stone 1) Even among ethical hackers and within the ethical hacker ethos onecan see that issues of privacy, harm, and other ethical concerns arise. 28 February 2 7. http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/wp/crime-2 2/hacking.htm, 1-4.Mizrach, Steven. The FBI arrested him and he was sentenced to 4 years in jail(Hacker 4). These are as follows: . As computertechnology has evolved, so has both the nature of hackers and hacking. This is because it is a subculturespawned by the technology revolution in American society that continues toevolve at a rapid pace. Astechnology has evolved, so has an ethics that is related to its design anduse. Thisanalysis will provide a discussion of the ethics of hacking, from both apositive and negative perspective. As Harvey (5)writes, "New users share the values of the community. "Computer Ethics: Basic Concepts and Historical Overview." 14 August 2 1. . In "What is Computer Ethics," Moor provides a definition of computerethics that reveals many of the same ethical issues involved in ethicsrelated to hackers and hacking. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-computer/, 1-24.Harvey, Brian. Hacking isnecessary in this view, because it is ethical to test a complex systemshould it fail where needed. Thou shalt think about the social consequences of actions taken using a computer. . "Computer Hacking and Ethics." 28 February 2 7. . "Black Hat" hackers arewillfully "malicious or criminal" hackers who purposefully destroy, damage,or harm computer systems, files, and networks or cause other costlyproblems like denial of service attacks (Hacker 1). Hacking and hackers, whether ethical or unethical, involvesissues of ethics from privacy and security to community and autonomy. 28 February 2 7. The belief that information sharing is a powerful good and that it is the ethical duty of hackers to share their expertise by writing free software and facilitating access to information to computer resources. Manyadopt a Unabomber stance and view technology as the root of all evil. Smith was responsible formillions of dollars of willful damage when he released the Melissa Worm in1999. In thismanner, ethical hackers view themselves as promoting such values. http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/wp/crime/hacking.htm, 1-2. Other hackers who adoptunethical approaches are often perverting technology to send a politicalmessage, often called "Hacktivists" (Hacker 1). Even at the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory researchers havecreated a computer system with a liberal password and visitor policy.Researchers feel that the threat of unethical hackers is outweighed by anethical concern for the greater good such a system promotes. As such, the hacking subculture is here to stay for theforeseeable future for both good and bad. "Computer Hacking." 9 May 1999. In light of this, the ComputerEthics Institute has developed the "Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics" todistinguish ethical from unethical hackers. As such, technology, like any other human development,can be used ethically or unethically but the line is often blurred. (Kastor 2)Works Cited"Hacker." Wikipedia. In contrast to ethical hackersknown as "white hats," the "black-hat" hackers are unethical and penetratecomputers for harmful reasons like David L. Such hackers adopta "means justifies the ends" view of hacking. Within the hacker subculture; however, as with any othersubculture there are internal divisions and differences in ideology andexpression. As Moor defines it, computer ethics"identifies and analyzes the impacts of information technology upon humanvalues like health wealth, opportunity, freedom, democracy, knowledge,privacy, security, self-fulfillment, and so on" (Bynum 18). Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without authorization or proper compensation. Smith who's unleashing of theMelissa Worm in 1999 caused over $8 million of damages to businesses(Hacker 4). 2. . . . "Computer Hacking." August 2 2. One type knownas a "Grey Hat" hacker "frankly admits...ambiguous ethics and/or borderlinelegality" in their hacking choices (Hackers 1). Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid. Parker outlines two principles that form thefoundation ethical hackers adopt: 1. Some hackers are merely explorers who like to test how far theycan enter forbidden cyberspaces. http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~bh/hackers.html, 1-7.Kastor, Ginger. Fromthis perspective, unethical hackers often view themselves as championingthe good despite the damage they cause to achieve it. In his book FightingComputer Crime, Donn B. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness. Despite the unethical nature of his actions, he was releasedafter serving 2 months when he agreed to work for the FBI undercover as ahacker (Hacker 4). Yet some hackers are highly unethical andcriminal, causing enormous economic and property damage from negativelyintended hacking. http://www.fiu.edu/~mizrachs/ hackethic.html, 1-16.Stone, David M. . Thou shalt not use a computer to steal. Originallyhackers, Steve Jobs and Bill Wozniak discovered how to create the personalcomputer and co-founded Apple computers. If anything shows thedualistic nature of the ethics behind positive or seemingly negativehacking it is the case of David L. Some of these hackersview themselves as ethical, however, because they see themselves associalists undermining the unjust power and control of capitalism andcapitalists in society. 28 February 2 7. Many view hacking as not only an ethical rightof freedom and access to information but also a constitutional rightbecause it serves as a check and balance on system power. . Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's computer files. Unethical hackers often express a mistrust of authority, resent thestatus quo, and feel they are isolated from society and its values. 74898 Computer Hacking Introduction A basic definition of a "hacker" is an individual who "attempts topenetrate security systems on remote computers" (Mizrach 1). 28 February 2 7. Mizrach (11) explains the hackers who areethical adopt the following duties: 1) protect data and hardware; 2)respect and protect privacy; 3) utilize what is being wasted by others; 4)exceed unnecessary restrictions; 5) promote peoples' right to communicate;6) leave no traces; 7) share data and software; 8) be vigilant againstcyber-tyranny; and 9) test security and system integrity of computersystems. Ethical hackers view themselves as a savvy subculture withtechnological expertise far above the average individual or amateurcomputer user. Hackers can range from very ethical and positive for societyto extremely unethical and criminal in their impact. Body The fact is that despite highly publicized incidents of unethicalhacking responsible for millions of dollars in damage to businesses orsociety, there are hackers whose sole aim is to maintain a code of ethicsthat avoids causing damage or harm to others computers, businesses, orindividuals from hacking. "Is There a Hacker Ethic for 9 s Hackers?" 2 7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker_(computer_security), 1-4.Bynum, Terrell. The belief that system hacking for fun and exploitation is ethically OK as long as the hacker commits no theft, vandalism, or breach of confidentiality. Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work. Thou shalt always use a computer to insure consideration and respect to fellow human beings. Forexample, many hackers who are not unethical in their hacking believe thatthey are advancing democracy by expanding freedom from providing greateraccess to knowledge. Some hackers use their skills to advance securitysystems, while others engage in hacking to find flaws in computer securitysystems. For example,environmental activist hackers have disrupted networks of organizationsthey believe responsible for environmental degradation. Conclusion Whether an individual is an ethical or unethical hacker, hacking isa phenomenon that is here to stay. 28 February 2 7. Unethical hackers also vary in type and nature. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people. 2 7. They are taught thatthe vulnerability of MIT's system is a price researchers willingly pay forthe open exchange of information that that vulnerability allows." In contrast to ethical hackers, unethical hackers are viewed more ascriminals by hackers who hack for what they consider ethical purposes.Unethical hackers can range from those who wish to spy on coworkers orsignificant others to those who intentionally wish to crash entire systemsor costs businesses, governments, or society millions of dollars indamages. Smith. Others believe they are helping advance security byfinding security flaws that threaten privacy, wealth, and opportunity.Still more hackers, like Dennis Ritchie and Ken Thompson, used theirhacking skills and experiences to create the operating system UNIX (Kastor1). Ina security context, there are ethical and unethical hackers. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.