• Explain the difference between a computer virus, a worm, and a trojan horse.

• Using the same web page, determine how these viruses, worms, and trojan horses spread.

• Continuing to use HowStuffWorks.com, discover two ways to keep your computer safer from viruses.

• What is a "hoax"?

• Have you ever received a computer hoax by e-mail? What did it suggest that you do, or how did it affect you?

• Spend five minutes (watch the clock on your computer, this is interesting stuff) reading about computer hoaxes. List three things you learned.

• You've probably heard about copyright, but did you know that you already have produced copyright work of your own?

• Pretend that you are writing poetry in Language Arts class today. When will the poem that you write today enter public domain? (Use information from the copyright basics page.)

• Read "The Ten Commandments for Computer Ethics." While these commandments may seem simple, some of these rules summarize complicated laws that are in place in the United States. Others simply remind computer users of what is right and wrong.

• After reading the Ten Commandments for Computer Ethics, discuss with your computer buddy which of the commandments that you believe many people disregard. Do you believe that one of these commandments is more important, or more serious than the other? If so, which one(s)?

• Imagine that you live in Cooper City and have been hearing about this crime, almost daily, on your local television news. You live across the city from the boy who was arrested and do not know him; therefore, you have an impartial opinion about the court decision. Because you have been learning about computer crime in your Business Computer Technology class, you understand the seriousness of the crime better than some of your friends. Your friends respect your knowledge and want to hear your opinion. Based on your research and knowledge, do you think that the charges made in the arrest are fair. Why or why not? Was the person who left the password on a note-pad also guilty? Why or why not?

  Write a three to seven paragraph persuasive essay explaining your position regarding the fairness of the decision.

  You will have the remainder of the period today to organize your thoughts and begin writing. Be prepared to finish your essay in class tomorrow or for homework tomorrow night.

• Be prepared for a class discussion in two days.

• Go to HowStuffWorks.com for your answer.

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• Go to FreeDictionary.org.

• Review the Hoaxbusters web site.

• Read through the Copyright Basics page.

• Read "The Ten Commandments for Computer Ethics."

• Read the archived SunSentinel article

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Created by Diane Walters, Technology Facilitator,
West Millbrook Middle School, Raleigh, NC.
© 2004-2007. All Rights Reserved.
Send Questions, comments, suggestions,
or requests to repair broken links to: Diane Walters
Last Updated: February 7, 2007

This website has been created to support West Millbrook students, teachers, and parents.
Permission to link from other websites is granted as long as the linking page is given as a free resource for educational purposes.

Use of the "criminal" graphic is expressly permitted by the license agreement accompanying the Walters' Microsoft Office XP license agreement.