Software Licensing and Computer Frauds - Assignment Example

Type the company name] Accounting Information System Software Licensing & Computer Frauds Type your name 9/16/2013 Executive Summary The report which looks at analyze the manner in which software licensing is antisocial, the role of ethical teaching in computer security and the manner in which reducing in computer security will have an impact on computer frauds is being analyzed and highlights the following results It is being analyzed that software licensing is unethical and antisocial and requires that a way has to be developed to ensure that the interest of the developers and the society is protected. This has to be matched by the fact that ethical teaching ways has to be developed which will tend to make people understand the manner in which information technology will help them and should look towards bringing a change in the perception of the people so that fewer security malwares are required. This will also help to reduce frauds as otherwise people will have to use more and more computer security system so that people are unable to hack the software and ensure that the society benefits. Working on the different dimensions and changing the entire framework will bring the required change and provide an opportunity where the different benefits of information technology can be passed to the society. Table of Contents Introduction 4 Is software licensing antisocial 4 Is ethical teaching a solution to computer security problems 5 Will reduction in computer security reduce computer fraud 5 Conclusion 6 Recommendations 6 References 7 Introduction This report analyzes the different aspect associated with software licensing and computer frauds which is widely present in the globalized world. This report firstly looks to present the point whether software should be licensed or not which is followed by a mechanism of ethical teaching which will help to reduce security problems. The report then deals with the issue and the manner in which reducing computer security will help to deal with computer frauds and finally some recommendations based on my personal view regarding the entire situation is provided. The overall analysis will thereby help to understand the different facets of computer security and licensing and will help to understand the manner in which it impacts the society. Is software licensing antisocial The topic of software licensing is a topic of continuous debate as different parties and people who have connection with the development or usage of software have different notion about software licensing. It has been identified by many that the developers of software look to maximize the value for the owners so that they can maximize the profits by selling the software instead of providing the same at no cost (Loch & Conger, 2009). The situation is visualized by the developers as one where they look at the prosperity of the owners and instead they should look at the prosperity of the society on the whole. The situation requires that software should be free and people should be allowed to use it as it hampers the growth and progress of the society in different ways. Firstly, licensing ensures that few people can use the software which thereby limits the benefits which could have been accrued if more and more people had used the software (Mason, 2008). Secondly, the situation could unfold in a manner where few or no user can adapt to the program thereby making it difficult to fix the errors which the program or the software might have (Mason, 2008). Thirdly, it restricts the other developers to learn the same program and develop new program which are advanced and more useful thereby limiting the positive impact the software could have on the society (Mason, 2008). In case a situation where no software license is required is created then it raises questions on the interest of the owner who has spent millions of dollar to develop new software. It also raises doubts on the manner the different aspect of ethics will be followed when other uses the software as people tend to state that it’s their own thereby taking the credibility from the original developers (Dawson, 2011). These are areas which raise doubts and has ensured license on software so that people using the same purchase it and use it. Looking the same from the perspective of the society or mankind it seems that software licensing is antisocial as it limits the opportunities for the society and binds their growth. Software licensing creates boundaries and divides the society as it creates differences between people. Consider a situation where a person has software and the other person doesn’t have the software would create differences between them and would lead to total unrest and dissatisfaction among the society. Richard Stallman was of the similar opinion as it restricts the growth of information technology and requires that licensing should be abolished. Considering the difficult situation which is present before both the parties it is imperative that a way is crafted out which will help to protect the interest of the developers as well as provide easy and free access to information technology so that the society based on it is able to grow. Is ethical teaching a solution to computer security problems? It is hard to state that ethical teaching alone will help to reduce computer security problems as despite having different viruses, malwares and other objects which restricts people from entering into areas which are sensitive and private frauds and other security problems exist. Ethical teaching might help to a certain extent to deal with computer security problems but it is important that a change in the perception of people is developed so that the process of ethical teaching benefits people (Conger & Loch, 2009). The major issues related with computer security arise with regard to decision making, confidentiality, piracy, frauds, trade secrets and others. People tend to be unethical due to the extra monetary or social value which they look to drive by being unethical. Ethical teaching will help to bring forward the above mentioned different issues. This will help to create an understanding of the different areas which is likely to affect them. The framework will also look at bringing forward the different laws and rules which has been implemented in the direction and the different actions which will be taken against people who have been found to undertake fraudulent activities (Charlesworth, 2010). Ethical training will thereby help to bring some changes and control computer security problems but it has to be matched with a change in perception and attitude of people. This will thereby ensure that people don’t use the same for their benefit but instead look to ensure that the society benefits and will be able to bring a change in the outlook of the society. Will reduction in computer security reduce computer fraud? Computer security and computer frauds are inter-related and one of the most discussed topics. The entire world fraternity is looking to develop ways which will reduce computer frauds and have developed different measures which ensures better security. Despite the development of different computer security system the hackers look towards penetrating the computer security system and have created frauds. This raise questions that will the removal of computer security reduce computer frauds? It highly seems unlikely that the removal of computer security will reduce computer frauds because the removal of different malwares and viruses which prevents from entering different private area which are confidential will be easily accessible. This will thereby ensure that the work of hackers gets reduced as the hackers won’t have to look at hacking the websites or developing a code which helps to enter the system as it can be accessed easily (Alampay, 2008). This might multiply the frauds as people apart from hackers will find the system to be easily accessible which will thereby increase the chances of frauds. The situation could turn around in such a manner that more and more people get involved in fraudulent activities which might have a negative impact on the society. One of the prime reasons for increase in computer frauds due to reduction in computer security is that it will provide an opportunity where people can ensure personal gains. To bring about a change and ensure reduction in computer frauds it is imperative that the society brings a change in perception and looks at developing a method through which changes in the attitude ad perception of people becomes possible (Akbaba-Altun, 2009). This will help to ensure that a change in the perception of people will ensure that people will not indulge in frauds. This will thereby also ensure that not having computer security will still help as people will not look to indulge in such activities. This is a difficult proposition to achieve and it doesn’t seem that removing computer security will reduce computer frauds but instead it might increase the number of frauds. Conclusion The report thereby highlights that software licensing is antisocial and a way has to be developed to ensure that the interest of the developers and the society is protected. This has to be matched by the fact that ethical teaching ways has to be developed which will tend to make people understand the manner in which information technology will help them and should look towards bringing a change in the perception of the people so that fewer security malwares are required. This will also help to reduce frauds as otherwise people will have to use more and more computer security system so that people are unable to hack the software and ensure that the society benefits. The report thereby shows the different areas which when improved will help to bring about a change in use of information technology and ensure growth for the society. Recommendations Based on the understanding of the topic and the different proposition provided by different scholars and academicians I feel that a lot of work needs to be done in the field of information technology. I feel that after considering the difficult situation which is present before both the parties it is imperative that a way is crafted out which will help to protect the interest of the developers as well as provide easy and free access to information technology so that the society based on it is able to grow. This has to be matched by developing a process of ethical teaching which will bring a change in perception of people so that frauds reduce. Despite the process of ethical teaching more and more malwares with regard to computer security has to be developed and the entire process should be aimed at reducing frauds and developing a process which will help to ensure growth in the field of information technology. References Alampay, E. A. 2008. Beyond access to ICTs: measuring capabilities in the information society. International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology (IJEDICT), 2(3), 4-22 Akbaba-Altun, S. 2009. Complexity of Integrating Computer Technologies into Education in Turkey. Educational Technology & Society, 9, 176-187 Charlesworth, M. 2010. How can a course in ethics and professionalism be included in an Information Systems Curriculum? A Research Project in the Department of Information Systems in the Faculty of Commerce of Rhodes University Conger, S., & Loch K.D. 2009. Evaluating ethical decision making and computer use. Communications of the ACM. 39(7), 74-83 Dawson, L. M. 2011. Women and men, morality and ethics. Business Horizons. 4(38), 61-68 Loch, K.D., & Conger, S. 2009. Decision making and computer use. Communication of the ACM, 39(7), 74-83 Mason, R. O. 2008. Four ethical issues of information age, MIS Quarterly, 10(1), 5-11 Read More