Hacking, Cracking, and other Viruses

What comes to mind when you hear the word, "virus"?

"STAY AWAY!" "Yuck! I don't want it!"

The word doesn't normally bring about positive connotations. And neither does the reaction to a computer virus. Don't you get frustrated when someone so smart and with extra time on their hands, uses it in this way? What can we do?

Let's start with the present, in educating those around us. Let's face it; technology is exploding and we all want to be a part of it.While continual technical developments don't normally in and of themselves raise moral or ethical issues, the way they are used, can.
Is there a lack of concern over those partaking in these unethical actions? Are we turning a blind eye, or dismissing the situation thinking the individual is just uneducated in their action?

Our Text's scenario, pg. 507 #3, comes to mind. What would you do in this situation? Is this fellow teacher innocent? I think she is. How, then, do we prevent future cases, and again, when do we begin?

Today is the day to make our young people aware of unethical technical use. They can learn to use their computer savviness smartly, and in ways that will benefit others and possibly their future careers. Being aware of unethical behavior as a student can prevent uncomfortable and criminal situations in their future.

Jerry Crystal, technology coordinator at a Bloomfield, Connecticut middle school, suggests, "middle school is the ideal place to focus on cyber ethics...because that is where kids begin to develop their awareness of ethical behavior. If we provide positive images and effectively communicate ethical values in all areas of their lives, those values will be reflected in the technological environment as well. How we teach kids to view themselves and their use of technology at this level is what they will carry with them into adulthood."

What about letting natural consequences be their teacher? As cautioned on pg. 473 of our text,

"Do not use pirated, illegal copies of copyrighted software. Not only is using them illegal, but they are a favorite source of viruses." No, let's do them a favor, and educate them now. Then, in our future, there should be fewer 'hackers', 'crackers', and other 'viruses'.

The following are sites I found helpful in educating about cyber crime:
This one includes different cyber-scenarios for students, followed by multiple choices for how they should react in the situation, and results for each choice! A site I plan on using in my classroom, for sure!
http://cybercitizenship.org/4kids/4kids.html (copyright for photo above)
http://www.cybercitizenship.org/
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech055.shtml