Discuss various ethical issue which may faced by utilizing information technology?

The various etchical issue which may faced by utilizing information technology are as following:

1. Computer crime:Many different computer crimes are

committed, which clearly poses ethical questions for society.Various illegal acts are performed on computers, such as fraud andembezzlement. This includes, for example, using imaging and desktop publishing tocreate, copy or alter official documents and graphic images. There are also various ethical dilemmas, such as whether copying such files is as bad as stealing something.

2. Hacking:Hackers break into, or ‘ HACK ’ into a system. Hacking can be undertaken for a variety of reasons: The wish to damage a system or the wish to understand how a system works, so that money can be made out of it. Alternatively, there might be adesire to alert people to the fact that a system is insecure and needs improving. Due to this some argue that there are ‘HACKER ETHICS’. Hacking can present a moraldilemma. This is because ‘reformed hackers’ sometimes offer their expertise to helporganisations protect themselves against other hackers. Hackers cannot just wanderinto a system, as they could into an unlocked door.IT requires a lot of skill.With this skill hackers can demonstrate that a system is insecure and needs improving.It could be argued that hackers play a valuable role.

3.Job displacement/work pressures imposed on computer professionals:

Computers are changing the face of the work scene.For some people, their Jobs are becoming redundant or they have

to play quite different roles, and others are suffering increasing levels of stress from work pressures. Others are, obviously,reaping the benefits of having more rewarding jobs, and there is certainly more emphasis on knowledge, information and I.T. skills than ever before.

4.Piracy:Piracy, the illegal copying of software, is a very serious problem, and it is estimated that approximately 50% of all programs on PCs are pirated copies. Programmers spend hours and hours designing programs, using elaborate code, and surely need tobe protected. Although some might argue that some pirating at least should be permitted as it can help to lead to a more computer literate population. But, for corporations, in particular, this is a very serious issue, and can significantly damageprofit margins.

5.Genetic engineering and the patenting of life- forms:Many ethical issues are raised in regard to genetic engineering and the patenting oflife forms. Is such behaviour morally acceptable? Such debates can sit alongside debates on subjects such as euthanasia and abortion.

6.Issues of data collection, storage and accessThere are many moral issues that need to be considered in regard to the collection, storage and access of data in electronic form. Under what circumstances.

For example>Should one seek permission from or inform those whose records are on file?>How accurate is the data and who has access to it?

7.Digital divide:The digital divide poses a serious problem today. A new breed ofHaves’ and ‘Have nots’ are being created, between those that have access and can use a computer and the Internet, and those that do not have such access. There are clearly serious ethical implications here. Those that do not have such access may wellbe discriminated against, feel ‘socially excluded’ and miss out on many life opportunities.

VIRUSES:Clearly writing and spreading virus programs are unethical acts; they have very serious consequences, and cause systems to crash and organisations to cease operating for certain periods. One of the most concerning consequences of such actions is when viruses interrupt the smooth functioning of an organisation such as a hospital, which could in extreme cases even cause people to die sometimes planted. There is obviously a lot of anti-virus software on the market now though that helps to deal with this ever-growing problem.

Compare and evaluate fourth , fifth and sixth generation of computer?

FOURTH GENERATION OF COMPUTER :

After 1971 the fourth generation computers were built. The fourth generation computers were the extension of third generation technology. The fourth generation computers emerged with development of the VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration).With the help of VLSI technology microprocessor came into existence. The computers were designed by using microprocessor, as thousands of integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip. What in the first generation filled an entire room could now fit in the palm of the hand. The fourth generation computers became more powerful, compact, reliable and affordable. As a result, they give rise to personal computer (PC) revolution.For the first time in 1981 IBM introduced its computer for the home user and in 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh Microprocessor.

CHARACTERISTICS1) The fourth generation computers have microprocessor-based systems.2) They are the cheapest among all the computer generation.3) The speed, accuracy and reliability of the computers were improved in fourth generation computers.4) Many high-level languages were developed in the fourth generation such as COBOL, FORTRAN, BASIC, PASCAL and C language.5) A Further refinement of input/output devices was developed.6) Networking between the systems was developed.

FIFTH GENERATION OF COMPUTER Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in development, though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today. The use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality. Quantum computation and molecular andnanotechnology will radically change the face of computers in years to come. The goal of fifth-generation computing

is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization.

CHARACTERISTICS1) The fifth generation computers will use super large scale integrated chips.2) They will have artificial intelligence.3) They will be able to recognize image and graphs.4) Fifth generation computer aims to be able to solve highly complex problem including decision making, logical reasoning.5) They will be able to use more than one CPU for faster processing speed.6) Fifth generation computers are intended to work with natural language.

SIXTH GENERATION

Sixth generation of computers is another goal of the sixth generation to attain TERAFLOPS i.e ten arithmetic operations per second. Networking technology is spreading rapidly and one of the most conspicous growth of the sixth generation computer technology is the huge growth of WAN, and that can be done by building up a system with more than thousand processors. Currently the processors are constructed with a combination of RISC, pipelining and parallel processing.Each generation of computer is characterized by a major technological development that fundamentally changed the way computer's operate.Some examples of these sixth generation computers is the video game consoles.

The sixth generation computers are reffered to as the 128 - bit era. Also refers to the computer and video games, video game consoles and video game Handhelds. Platforms of the sixth generation of computers include the SEGA Dreamcast, Sony Playstation2 (PS2), NINTENDO, Game cube and Microsoft Xbox. This era games began on November 27 1998 with the release of

the Dreamcast and it was joined by the Playstation2 in March, 2000. The Dreamcast was discontinued in North America in November 2001 and in Europe in late 2002. The Game cube was discontinued in Japan in 2005 and worldwide in 2006. The Playstation2 is still in production and selling steadily till date .