How does one appreciate and use computers in an ethical and safe manner?

Answer 1

It starts by remembering that PCs are tools and can be used for good or bad, and making a choice that you will use them for good. You also have to remind yourself that there are bad people in the world who misuse computers out of greed or a desire to harm others.

You should never put anything online that would lead others to you or compromise your security or safety. Social networking sites are fun, but don't give them all of your business. If you put that you are heading out the door to eat and watch a movie, you are really telling burglars that they have about 3 hours to rob you. Minors involved in sports should never mention their team mascot nor jersey number online, since that information, pieced with their state or even city would make it easy to find them. Anyone would be able to find out what schools have what mascots, what the team schedules are, and the schools' addresses. Then knowing the jersey number would make it possible for anyone to find that student and harm them after a game.

Likewise, you should never take emails at face value, even if you think you know the sender. If you get an email about a problem with your bank account, you should log into your bank from the address you know or have bookmarked, not the ones in the email. Or, you should call your bank by phone and discuss the problem with them. There might not even be a problem, but someone put that in the email as phishing bait. And if something seems too good to be true, it likely is. If you get an email from a foreign place that seems overly courteous and then mentions them wanting to give you money, or want your help getting what they say is their money, do not fall for that. That is a scam.

You should also not be malicious. Please don't use the excuse, "It is a public forum and I'll say what I want!" A theater is a public place too, but you are not allowed to yell "Fire!" in there. A park is a public place too, and you cannot tell the police that you should be allowed to assault people at random since it is a public park, and if others don't want to be assaulted, they can stay out of it. Yet that is the attitude that some people have online. Cyberbullying is never appropriate nor ethical, and if someone has an opinion you don't like, just let them say it and go on. If they are someone you dislike from elsewhere, you are not obligated to bother them online.

Do not spam or scam others either. If you have a product, then advertise it in appropriate places or hire an advertising agency. Scamming is just illegal and socially unacceptable.