Values and social responsibilities of the computer science [0184] (original) (raw)
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1991
Abstract There has been considerable interest in computer viruses since they first appeared in 1981, and especially in the past few years as they have reached epidemic numbers in many personal computer environments. Viruses have been written about as a security problem, as a social problem, and as a possible means of performing useful tasks in a distributed manner. Most users of computers view viruses as annoying or dangerous. Some people, however, claim that (at least some) viruses are beneficial.
Computer virus programs are generally perceived to be a threat to the information stored by computer users. This research evaluated the impact computer viruses have on information stored by computer users. The emphasis was on the effects of computer viruses rather than on the detail of their operation. The main hypotheses involved the question of whether or not computer viruses do pose a threat to the information stored by computer users. The effect of computer viruses on the information of users in industry was measured by sending a questionnaire to 388 companies country-wide. &~ average of 2l,5% of the respondents claimed detrimental effects to information stored on disk due to computer viruses. This and other data was used to guide laboratory experiments on the actual damage done by computer viruses to stored information. A set of test disks was prepared to represent programs and data of a typical PC user in industry. Fifteen different virus programs were used individually to infect the test disks. After each infection, all the test disks were inspected to ascertain damage to data, system and program files as well as to separate disk sectors. The research established that: The damage done by computer viruses to stored information is generally limited to one file or disk area. Where damage to stored information did occur, it was often reversible. Irrational user responses to virus symptoms provide a large potential source for damage to stored information. The availability of master program disks (for program file restoration) and recent, validated data backup is essential to recovery from a computer virus infection. A user can solve most problems caused by virus infections if he has a basic understanding of disk structure, i.e. tracks, sectors, sides, the FAT, etc, and of the use of disk utility programs like Norton Utilities or PCTools. The fact that some of the findings of prominent virus researchers could not be verified, suggests that virus programs could be unstable. Claims regarding the damage inflicted by viruses must be considered to be valid only for a specific copy of the virus under discussion. The importance of using original application software (to minimize the transfer of viruses and to enable program file restoration) , regular back-ups (to enable data file restoration) and basic user awareness (infection prevention, symptoms, the use of anti-viral and utility programs, etc.) was emphasized. The average PC user should be able to clear up a virus infection without assistance by following the given disinfection procedure. Suggestions for further study include virus origins, generations, mutations, multiple infections, and the effect of viruses on computer networks.
COMPUTER VIRUS AS A TORT OBLIGATION
This article is devoted to the definition of a computer virus as a source of increased danger. The article covers the difference of a computer virus from other objects of civil rights and gives a detailed analysis of its characteristics as: 1) an intangible object exempt of civil turnover; 2) transaction, which content does not comply with the law, and is also made for a purpose deliberately contradict to the principles of public order or morality; 3) a source of increased danger; 4) force majeure; 5) a basis of tort liability; 6) ratio of the legal regime of computer virus and software. Copy Right, IJAR, 2016,. All rights reserved. Rapid development of science and technology has led to the introduction of new objects of civil rights, used for many purposes in everyday life. Computers, mobile devices (laptops, gadgets, tablets, smartphones, etc.) have become an integral part of our lives. With the development of software products in the Republic of Uzbekistan (hereinafter software products and computer programs have identical meaning), special attention is paid to the full support and protection of rights of their copyright owners, manufacturers of these products, their authors. The legal framework has been created in this field. The potential of personnel in this area provides ample opportunities for further development of this field. According to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan " ...a new young generation is being formed that thinks independently, which meets modern requirements and is capable of taking responsibility for tomorrow, the fate of our homeland " [1]. As a result of ongoing systemic reform, the standard of living has changed, comfortable living conditions have been created. This allows citizens not only use household items, new science and technological devices in everyday life, but also carry out scientific research, mutual information exchange, storage, processing and dissemination of information. This process requires a software environment that of the computer or a variety of mobile devices, which makes it possible to achieve certain goals. Creation of all kinds of software products requires certain human creative skills, knowledge and practices. In such cases, the creative process can be aimed at different objectives such as solving scientific problems in a certain field, development, calculations, storage, data processing, etc. A clear example is the annual creation of several thousand software products and their introduction into circulation. Unfortunately, sometimes creative process leads to the violation of rights and legitimate interests of other people, damaging the property and personal non-property rights. In particular, creation of computer viruses is a clear example. Therefore, we should focus on the definition of a computer virus, determination of its civil law regime and reality of this phenomenon.