Computer Abuses (SAQ 7-1)

Example of Computer Abuses

In an internet café, some students are resourceful enough making way for themselves run download manager software. Doing this enables them to download huge files such as free music and videos surreptitiously even when they are away. By the time they visit back the station, the software being downloaded is most likely finished. This is a typical scenario that illustrates denial of service. Bandwidth size of internet line is obviously limited, with continuous bandwidth congestion resulting from download manager software operating in the background, it is in effect slowing down bandwidth utilization among ordinary users doing research. Similarly, the proliferation of worms clogging down local area networks is unmistakably an exploitation of scare resources. These are programs running unnecessarily behind the scene that practically consumes limited hardware resources.

Every normal human is equipped with rational thinking. We have the ability to discern what is good or bad. The above example exemplifies a pure egoism. These people are only looking for their own selfish motives disregarding others who share internet resources with them. When download managers eats out the bandwidth utilization, others are left with very scarse bandwidth resource or in worst case denial of service. Because this is unfair and unjust practice, this is an act that go against moral principles in computing.