Abstract
This chapter analyses the role of cyber ethics and other related issues such as electronic commerce (e-commerce) and customers' protection, privacy, anonymity, psychological and mental wealth-being. It focuses on consumerism cybercrimes such as consumer fraud, online deceptive advertisements, financial fraud and also on social cybercrimes such as pornography, racism, xenophobia, bullying, sexting, cyber hate and cyber staking. Most importantly, this chapter identifies and illustrates how confrontation and prevention tools, including security education and research, are instrumental to overcoming cybercrime on a longer term basis. The chapter is based on a case study and examines the existing literature review in correlation to the existing practices of the Cyprus Safer Internet Center operating in Cyprus – CyberEthics.
TopLiterature Review
“Ethical consideration now is generally declared to be indispensable in shaping technology in a socially acceptable and sustainable way” (Grunwald, 2000, p.181). The word ‘ethics’ comes from the ancient Greek word ‘eche’ which means character and is thus best defined by a set of theories that are based on certain rules and principles helping people distinguish right from wrong (Kizza, 2011). Consequently, cyber ethics is based on the code that gives guidelines for the proper behaviour on the Internet, for the good to be achieved on both an individual and societal basis (Bawa & Marwah, 2011). Similarly, Baird et. al., (2000, p.10), defined cyber ethics as the: “exploration of the entire range of the ethical and moral issues that arise in the cyberspace”. As cyberspace becomes broader and more popular, its meaning increases in importance.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Cybercrimes: Refer to crimes related to the criminal usage of Internet and generally telecommunication networks with the main intention to harm intentionally individuals or group of individuals.
Social media: Are the means of communication between people via internet-based technologies, where they share information, pictures, videos etc.
Electronic Commerce or E-Commerce: Refers to the type of industry where people sell or buy with the help of internet-based means.