Hacking

Although hackers can be prosecuted under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the challenge of breaking into a computer often outweighs the threat of punishment. Some hackers believe their actions should cause corporations to practice better programming and security efforts and to test their programs and systems more thoroughly. Other hackers attempt to protect free speech and human rights throughout the world. For example, visit the Hacitvismo Web site (hacktivismo.com) to read about the members' programming efforts to develop software that increases freedom of expression. Then visit Web sites that describe how the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the reauthorization resolution passed in 2006 increase the scope and penalties of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Should all hackers be prosecuted, or should some be exonerated if their efforts are done with a greater purpose, such as furthering a political concern? Write a report summarizing your findings, and include one link to a Web site that provides additional details about hackers. (Minimum post size - 150 words) (Deadline: January 31, 2009)

Certification Preparation

People studying for certification exams sometimes turn to braindump Web sites to obtain test questions that test takers recall and then post to the Web site after taking an exam. Major certification companies require test takers to sign a nondisclosure agreement. Some potential test takers, however, believe that buying these test questions makes studying efficient and effective. View online sites that contain braindumps, such as BrainDumps.com, and describe what questions are available. What is the cost of obtaining this information? Then view the Microsoft and Cisco Systems Web sites to read their nondisclosure policies. What information is permitted for posting? What happens to test takers caught revealing exam information? Write a report summarizing your findings, and include a link to one Web site that provides additional details about braindumps. (Minimum post size - 150 words) (Deadline: February 7, 2009)

VeriChip microchips

The Food and Drug Administration has approved implanting a tiny computer chip in a patient's arm for medical purposes. Millions of the VeriChip microchips have been implanted in pets for indentification purposes, but the move to humans has alarmed security experts. The chip releases a code when a scanner is passed over it, and this code is linked to a database that retains the patient's medical information. The database can be updated each time the patient visits a health care provider. View online sites that discuss using implanted chips in humans. How can they be used to breach the confidentiality of medical records? How are they being used in nonmedical applications? Write a report summarizing your findings, and include at least one link to a Web site that provides additional details about implantable chips. (Minimum post length - 150 words) (Deadline: February 11, 2009)

Electronic Background Searches

With MySpace and FaceBook quickly becoming the top U.S. Web sites, users should take heed that employers are including social networking web sites as part of their online research used to avoid costly hiring mistakes. Employers are visiting these sites and others like them to search for insights into prospective employees' judgments and behaviors. Does the information you make available on your MySpace or FaceBook page adequately represent you professionally? Do you think privacy settings absolutely protect a job candidate? (Minimum response size: 150 words) Deadline: February 16, 2009

Cell Phone Security

Please post your answers to these questions (minimum 150 words) and respond to at least on post. Use articles from the Internet to support your answers. (30points) [Deadline: February 20, 2009]
Selling your old phone once you upgrade to a fancier model can be like handing over your diaries. All sorts of sensitive information pile up inside our cellphones, and deleting it may be more difficult than you think. Information stored on discarded phones can be restored revealing private, sensitive and possibly damaging content to anyone. How have phone manufacturers dealt with this issue? Do they have an ethical responsibility to address this issue?

Ethics of blogging

Please post your answer to these questions(minimum 75 words) and respond to at least one other post. (30points) Use articles from the Internet to support your answers. [Deadline: February 24, 2009]
Is there an ethical dilemma involved in posting a negative statement about another individual over the Internet? How would this violate the Golden Rule?

Podcasting

Please post your answer to the questions (minimum post size 100 words) and respond to at least one other post. Use articles from the Internet to support your answers. (30points) [Deadline: February 28, 2009]
The use of iPods in higher education gained media attention in 2004 with the announcement that Duke University would provide each incoming freshman an iPod, preloaded with school information, including a recording of the Duke fight song. Currently, universities are providing podcasts of their class lectures to enhance the classroom experience and provide asynchronous lectures as part of a mobile distance learning program. Will this add to the quality of the instruction and the exchange of teaching and learning in the college environment? Can this technology help students with disabilities and auditory learners?