This document is a module on ethics in using computers from the Ministry of Education Malaysia. It discusses important concepts around computer ethics including copyright, plagiarism, and unethical computer use. The module aims to teach students the proper ethics around topics such as requesting permission before sharing or using others' work, respecting copyright laws, and avoiding plagiarism. It includes activities for students to learn about these issues through examples and exercises.

1. KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN MALAYSIA
Self Access Learning Module
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SSeeccondarryy SScchooll
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Ethics In Using
Computer
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION MALAYSIA

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MODULE 1
Ethics In Using
Computer
Curriculum Development Division
Ministry of Education Malaysia
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1. Name of Module : Ethics in using computer
2. Learning Outcomes: The students should be able to:
a. state the ethics of computer usage
b. define the meaning of copyright.
c. state the effects of copyright violation.
d. list at least 3 unethical use of computers
e. state the effects of unethical use of computers
f. define the meaning of plagiarism
g. state the effects of plagiarism
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3. Knowledge and Skills
1. Explaining the ethics of computer usage
4. Module Summary: At the end of the module, students should be able to explain
the ethics of computer usage, and give their opinions on copyright and plagiarism.
Activity 1 : Notes on Ethics in using computers
Activity 2 : Exercises on Ethics and Copyright
Activity 3 : Notes on Plagiarism
Activity 4 : Exercises on Plagiarism
.

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Activity 1
3. Ethics in using computer
Have you ever asked for permission to download materials from the internet such as
music, articles, graphic and other material. If you have, you are following the computer
code of conducts. There are many web sites with restriction where the public is allowed
to use their material. Users may have to pay royalty (fee) to the owner or quote the
website in their assignment or project, in order to be able to use this material.
Examples of ethical computer code of conducts include:
• sending warning about viruses to other computer users
• asking permission before sending any business advertisements to others
• using information with authorization
Ethics in general
1. We often see pirated CDs, software and VCD being sold at the night market. Buying
pirated software is an example of unethical activity in computer ethic.
2. A guideline is needed to stop the current technology products from being exploited
for example copying originals CDs and selling them as pirated software, this
unethical behavior can be controlled by the code of conducts.
3. Under the Malaysia Copyright act 1987, any individual charge with piracy will be fine
up to 10,000 for each copy or up to 5 years imprisonment or both.
4. Computer ethics is a system of moral standards or values used as a guideline for
computer users.

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Ten important instructions of computer ethics
The United States Institute of Computer Ethics has come out with 10 instructions of
Computer Ethics as follows:
a. You shall not use a computer to harm other people.
b. You shall not interfere with other people’s computer work.
c. You shall not use a computer to steal
d. You shall not copy or use software for which you have not paid illegally.
e. You shall not use other people’s computer resources without
permission or proper compensation.
f. You shall not look around in other people’s computer files.
g. You shall not use a computer to give false identity.
h. You shall not correct other people’s ideas or works.
i. You shall think about the social effects of the program you
are writing or the system you are designing.
j. You shall always use a computer in ways that ensure consideration
and respect for your fellow friends.
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3.1 Copyright
What Is Copyright?
Copyright is the legal right given to the owner of a copyright to prevent others from
copying an artistic works, literary, dramatic or music work. Only the copyright owner
has the legal right to reproduce the work in any form and has the right to sue others
who copy or distribute unauthorized work without the copyright owner’s permission.
The owner of copyright has the special right to do and authorize the following:
• To reproduce the work;
• To prepare copied works based upon the work;
• To distribute copies of the work to the public by sale or transfer of
ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending;
• To disallow other persons from using the work without permission;
• To carry out the work publicly.
Copyright protection in Malaysia is governed by the Copyright Act 1987. There is no
system of registration for copyright in Malaysia. A work that is eligible is protected
automatically upon fulfillment of the following conditions:-
• sufficient effort has been expected to make the work original in
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character;
• the work has been written down, recorded or reduced to a material
form;
• the author is qualified person or the work is made in Malaysia or the work is first
published in Malaysia
Copyright symbol
Abbreviated as (c) or ©.

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Copyright violation (Breaking of copyright law)
A person who does not own the copyright, and without license from the owner or
does not have permission in any of the following acts has broken the copyright law.
• Use resources only for academic assignments and official education and research
and not reproduced in any material form to the public.
• Resources are not to be used for business purposes or private gain.
• Changing of system settings is not allowed.
• Respect and abide by all copyright laws.
• Downloading, installation, or removal of software or hardware is not allowed.
• E-mail messages should be brief, occasional and should indicate the sender’s true
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identity.
• Send no obscene or harassing messages in any format in violation of any
applicable law.
• Respect the rights and property of others by not accessing other members’ data.
• No one should purposely attempt to weaken the system security or disturb the
system performance through “hacking” .

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3.2 Unethical use of computers
1. Have you copied materials from the internet and claims that it is your own and submit
them as an assignment? If you have, you are reaching the computer code of
conducts (manners). In other word, you are breaking the law of intellectual property
by stealing someone else’s idea. Intellectual property refers to any products of
human intellect that is unique and has a value in the market place. This covers ideas,
inventions, unique names, computer program codes and many more.
2. Examples of unethical computer code of conducts include:
a) modifying certain information on the internet, affecting the accuracy of the
information
b) selling information to other parties without the owner’s permission
c) using information without permission.
d) involvement in stealing software
e) invasion of privacy
3. With the advancement of ICT, it is easy for anyone to get back your information from
the Internet. You may not realize that when you fill a form on the Internet, your
information may be exposed and stolen.
4. Hacking is unethical. For example, Kevin David Mitnick was a famous hacker. He
accessed computers without authorization. He deprived the privacy of many
individuals by hacking into network of a few companies. He also managed to get
important data unethically for his own usage.

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Activity 2
Exercise 1
Instruction : Answer the questions below.
Questions:
1. What is the meaning of computer ethics ?
2. State the 10 instructions in computer ethics ?
Exercise 2
Instructions: Read the statements below then put a tick (√) in the relevant boxes. Number 1
has been done for you.
Number Statement
Ethical Unethical
1
Use a computer to steal information √
2
Use other people’s computer resources
with authorization
3
Use software for which you have not paid.
4
Interfere with other people’s computer work.
5
Do not use a computer to bear false
witness.

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Exercise 3
Instructions : 1. Work in pair or in a group of four.
2. Read the scenario carefully.
3. Answer the question given.
4. Discuss your answer with your partner or in your group.
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Scenario A
SCENARIO A: A student prepares and gives a presentation that displays photographs.
Permission was not obtained to use the photographs.
QUESTION : Can the photographs be included in the initial presentation, if it is in a
traditional classroom?
Scenario B
SCENARIO B: A student creates a presentation and include copyrighted music into the
background. Assume that permission was not obtained to use the music
for the presentation
QUESTION: Can the music be included in the teacher's or student's initial presentation?
Scenario C
SCENARIO C : Your friend just bought a copy of Microsoft Office 2007 CD and says it's
the best graphic editor he has ever used. You find out it costs about RM930
and decide it's too expensive for you to buy. Your friend lends you his
Microsoft Office 2007 CD and tells you to go ahead and install it on your
computer.
QUESTION : Is this against copyright rules?
Further Reading
If you have internet access, you may login to the URL given below to test how much you
know about ethics in using computer.
http://www.cyberbee.com/cb_copyright.swf
http://www.thecopyrightsite.org/scenarios/
(This website is available at the time of doing this module)
Activity 3
Answer
Answer
Answer

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Plagiarism
Plagiarism is copying or paraphrasing information from a source without giving credit to the
owner. Using images, audio, or video without permission or without giving credit is also
plagiarism. Plagiarism is easier today because of the presence of the Internet and the easy
availability of information.
Written permission must be obtained from the owner if you plan to use these files on a web
page. It is permissible to produce a publication or multimedia presentation for classroom,
educational or non-profit purposes as long as credit is given in a bibliography.
Effects of plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious academic offence for students. Any use of another person’s work or
ideas must be acknowledged. If you fail to do this, you may fail in the examination or your
name maybe removed from the pass list.
How to avoid Plagiarism
1. Take good notes. Write down the title, the name of the source, the author, the
page number(s), and the date for any language you copy or adapt and for each
piece of information you record.
2. Put quotation marks around any language you reproduce directly from the
source.
3. Put away your source before you begin to write. Read your source, and then write
from your memory. After you write, you can recheck your paraphrase or summary
against the original for accuracy.

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Activity 4
Exercise 3
1. What is Plagiarism?
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
2. List out two points to avoid Plagiarism.
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Exercise 4
Instruction : Read the situation given and answer the question that follows.
Situation
Three students from University Malaya referred to McShane and Travaglione’s book for their
work. Which student ( A, B or C ) would you count as plagiarism?
Original Text
McShane, S. L. and Travaglione, T. 2003. Organizational behaviour in the Pacific Rim.
Sydney: McGraw Hill.
Work motivation and performance increase when employees feel personally accountable for
the outcomes of their efforts (McShane and Travaglione, 2003, p.199).
Student A wrote:
“Work motivation and performance increase when employees feel personally accountable for
the outcomes of their efforts”. (2003,p.199)
Verdict : ______________________________________________
Reason (s) : ______________________________________________
Answer
Student B wrote:
When employees feel responsible for their work, they tend to be more motivated which
results in higher performances
Verdict : ______________________________________________
Reason (s) : ______________________________________________
Answer
Student C wrote:
McShane and Travaglione (2001, p.199) state that ‘when employees feel responsible for
their work, they tend to be more motivated which results in higher performances’.
Verdict : ______________________________________________
Reason (s) : ______________________________________________
Answer

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Further Reading
If you have internet access, login to the URL given below to test how much you know
about plagiarism.
http://amow.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/downloads/mods_quiz.pdf.html
(This website is available at the time of doing this module)

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References :
Computer Whizzkid (2003) Sri Lanka: NCC education
http://cpsr.org/issues/ethics/cei/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_ethics
http://etiquette.wikia.com/wiki/Netiquette
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-computer/
http://www.cmpe.boun.edu.tr/~say/c150/intro/lit10.html
http://www.spscc.ctc.edu/AUP/ethics_in_labs.html
http://www.unmc.edu/library/reference/copyright.html
http://www.usg.edu/legal/copyright/
http://copyright.gov/cires/circ1.html
http://www.copyrightkids.org
http://www.boiseschools.org/cybersafe/ethics.html
http:// webopedia.com/TERM/c/copyright.html