Internet privacy, ethics, and online security are important issues that affect everyone who uses the internet. These topics involve protecting personal information, behaving ethically online, and maintaining security. They are addressed through user education, technological tools, and administrative policies. Schools must take steps to educate students on privacy, ethics, and staying safe online as internet use grows and new issues like cyberbullying emerge.

1. Internet Privacy,
Ethics, and Online
Security
Paul Berryman
Melissa Pabon

2. Introduction
The topic for this module is Internet Privacy, Ethics, and Online
Security. We have divided this topic into the following sub-
topics: Internet Privacy, including laws enacted to protect the
privacy of children; Internet Ethics, including plagiarism and
cyberbullying; and Online Security.

3. Introduction
Each of these areas are gradually evolving with the development
of new technology. Traditionally, most issues addressed by these
topics have only general guidelines governing users’ behavior;
however, some structured rules are starting to develop to maintain
a safe environment online.

4. Introduction
• Internet Privacy – The protection of sensitive and personal
information, sometimes called Personally Identifiable
Information (PII), from unauthorized or inappropriate
disclosure.
• Internet Ethics – The acceptable behavior while using the
Internet; being honest and respecting the rights of others on the
Internet.
• Online security – is protecting students from inappropriate
material online and protecting students and teachers from
threats from outsiders and each other.

5. The 5 Big Questions
Why is it used? or why is it an important issue?
Who uses it? or who is affected by it?
How is it used? or how does it work?
What is needed to use it? or what does it do?
What else is important about this technology tool or topic?

6. Why is it used? or why is it an important issue?
• Internet privacy, ethics, and online security are important issues
because they are present in every action taken by every user
online. With incidents of hacking, cyberbullying, and identity
theft rising, it is clear that students and teachers need directions
now more than ever.
• Yet, not every case has a clear-cut answer. Is hacking always
wrong? Are there ever cases where it’s acceptable for
companies and advertisers to collect data about customers
online, without violating their privacy? With these vague areas,
it is valuable to explore and discuss the boundaries of security,
privacy, and ethics.

7. Who uses it? or who is affected by it?
• Anyone who interacts online, in a closed off network (i.e.
school network), or even just uses a stand-alone computer is
affected by these topics.
• Internet ethics are practiced by, and affect, every user online.
While each person lives by his or her own moral code, Internet
ethics can be thought of as a general set of guidelines that users
follow.

8. How is it used? or how does it work?
• Privacy, ethics, and security is a combination of user education,
technological tools, and administrative policies and procedures.
Each group of individuals has a responsibility to protect users,
data, and systems from a variety of threats.

9. What is needed to use it? or what does it do?
• Organizations, from the top down, must take security seriously
and do their best to protect students, teachers, faculty, and
administrators. Administrations should conduct due diligence
and pay for good technical support and tools to protect the
network. But most importantly schools must educate their
faculty and students that they are the first line of defense in
security and maintain privacy.

10. What else is important about PRIVACY?
Lee Rainie (2005) gives several basic insights about Internet
privacy:
1. Privacy is a value for most, but not all people.
• About two thirds of Americans will give up information in
return for something of value.
2. Privacy means different things to different people.
• Privacy can be divided into the categories of Anonymity,
Confidentiality, and Security.
3. There is a variety of privacy violations.
• These range from Embarrassment to Personal Loss and Theft.

11. 4. Not all information is guarded at the same level.
• Health and financial information is considered to be more
valuable.
5. People want control over information that relates to them.
• 86% of Americans say that Internet companies should ask
permission to use personal information.

13. What else is important about ETHICS?
The Internet Architecture Board (IAB) issued RFC 1087 'Ethics
and the Internet,' a policy concerning Internet ethics in 1989.
An excerpt from the policy:
The IAB strongly endorses the view of the Division Advisory Panel of the National
Science Foundation Division of Network, Communications Research and
Infrastructure which, in paraphrase, characterized as unethical and unacceptable any
activity which purposely:
• Seeks to gain unauthorized access to the resources of the Internet.
• Disrupts the intended use of the Internet.
• Wastes resources (people, capacity, computer) through such actions.
• Destroys the integrity of computer-based information.
• Compromises the privacy of users.

14. RFC 1087 has since resulted in regulations concerning spamming
messages, privacy policies for websites requesting users to
provide personal details, and debate over whether governments
or individuals should monitor ethics on the Internet.

15. Educational Relevance
As technology evolves, teachers try to keep up by encouraging
students to utilize the Internet both inside and outside the
classroom. However, teachers and students face privacy
concerns, ethical concerns, and online security threats, along
with growing Internet use. School administrations must
develop plans for staying ahead of new issues, such as
plagiarism, cyberbullying, and privacy threats to students’
personal information.

16. Educational Relevance
Additionally, it is important for schools to stay current with laws
pertaining to student Internet use. The Children’s Internet
Protection Act (CIPA) was enacted in 2000 to protect children
from accessing harmful content over the Internet. Eligible
schools and libraries are required to follow certain
requirements under CIPA in order to receive discounts for
Internet access though the E-rate program. These requirements
include having an Internet safety policy that includes
technology protection measures that block access to harmful
content. This policy must include monitoring the online
activities of minors.

17. Educational Relevance
An amendment to CIPA, called the Protecting Children in the
21st Century Act, further requires that schools educate students
about appropriate online behavior, including cyberbullying
awareness and response.

18. Educational Relevance
• In regards to online security, there are several factors that make
it important for educators to understand. First, and foremost, is
for teachers of K-12 students. Children do not understand the
risks they may be taking by providing personal information on
the Internet.

19. Educational Relevance
• Besides the risk from cyberbulling and child stalkers, children
may unintentionally compromise their or others personal
information. Finally, their lack of understand makes them
prime targets for criminals and for virus/malware infections.
They are more likely to trust links in emails or other messages
and be exposed to attacks from fake websites and email
attachments.