Computer Technology: Ethical Issues and Codes Essay

Computer and networking tools try considerable emf and capability principally as a means for communication, cooperation, and as auction pitch intervention. mesh users, for instance, get ahead from the independence of carrying come to the fore various transactions, as well up as focus, through the Net. With this liberty, though, comes a signifi ratt accountability to utilize computers and the Internet especially, in a way which is secure, safe, good, and makes contribution to the general welf atomic number 18 of those involved.Counselors should order themselves to knowing and being aware of the risks involved in utilizing computers and employing the internet superhighway. Sabella, R. A. (1999) nonable what the computer and Internet technologies cave in generated relative to counseling issues addiction of the internet, accessibility, pornography, internal harassment online, safety, and security. With growing responsiveness, counsellors can be more effective in making dec isions regarding their behavior and computing online.One crucial issue of ethical computer utilization is the matter of clandestineity. The relationship of counselor and knob is confidential and involves conformity with ethical standards, policies and laws relating to confidentiality. In Computer, ethics, and the develop counselor (1988), Mudore presented a matter of recommendations for counselors for sentry dutying the privacy of records and making sure that the knowledge is only accessed by sure persons.These recommendations include keeping the computer in a private state in order that student information can be name in confidentially putting counseling records relating to student information on a backup storage disk marking counseling disks in code instead of marking them schoolchild Information or Student Data protecting unauthorized copying of disks by detaching disk tabs, securing up disks, and not permitting disks to be taken out from their storage location encodi ng a password before a computer can be opened to prevent unauthorized access on the hard tantalise talking to other staff to convey concerns regarding privacy and informing the school community regarding the challenges and issues generated by computer technology.It was also recommended by Sampson and Pyle (1983) that only merry and essential information are kept the information is accurate the entropy are destroyed when these are no longer indispensable to provide services separate identifiable data is not maintained to which on that point is computer network access and, separate identifiable information is not utilized for research reasons without the permission and approval of those who provided the information. Word processing programs and database programs are nowadays equipped with the ability to provide a file password. The benefit to these software programs is that if at that place is a password assign to the file, the file is encrypted in code and made it unreadable.Ev en though there is a possible action of cracking or hacking the code, it would take considerably broad programming knowledge in computer and access to the encrypted files. The disadvantage of employing this security aspect is that if the depute password is forgotten by the counselor, then it is also pose a difficulty for the counselor to retrieve and access the file. It is, therefore, essential to write good deal passwords and accordingly put them in secure and safe access. It is likewise necessary to change passwords at regular intervals to further prevent infringement of confidentiality in the occasion a data file is stolen or unauthorized access.Passwords, on the other hand, should not be created by employing such characters as names, adjectives or birthdays that are quite obvious and easily deciphered. Passwords should be created using a combination of numbers and letters that are quite difficult if not impossible to decode and crack. Even though security measures and encryp tion have highly become sophisticated, illegal and unpermitted access to online communications continues to be a possibility without greater attention to security methods. Counselors who effectively practice online essential not only legally protect but ethically safeguard their clients, themselves and their profession by employing all available and necessary security procedures. another(prenominal) likely issues in using computer technology include Competency. The counselor and the client should be sufficiently computer literate for the network surroundings to become a workable interactive counseling medium specialized Locations. A possible lack of comprehension on the part of irrelevant counselors of conditions, cultural issues, and events relating to specific locations that influence clients may limit credibility of a counselor or may lead to unsuitable interventions in counseling Equitable Access. Does the price of online access present another impediment for acquiring hold of counseling? Does online counseling alienate further prospective clients who some possibly need counseling?Though having access to the Net, can a client proficiently engage online counseling without having a computer populate? Online counseling appears to aggravate equitable issues already dealing impudence to face counseling. Credential. How will licensing laws and certification apply to the World Wide Web as state borders are electronically crossed over? Will counselors be needed to be licensed and certified in all states or countries where the clients are situated? Will online counseling in truthly be the effort for a national credential acknowledged by all states? Is there a necessity to move for worldwide credentialing? Who will supervise planetary or out of state complaints? Cyber Care.Can counselors promote the advancement of real working relationships, caring and trusting on the Net? Cyber Client identity. Do you really know your online client? Does the client show h imself or herself as an adult but in fact is a minor? Could the client have disguised his or her race, gender, or other personal information that could jeopardize the soundness or reliability of the counselors efforts? Counselors can make the plunge into cyberworld and apply present ethical standards and guidelines to carry out themselves in an ethical manner. Issues exist however but certainly the future day will provide a platform in what signifies to be ethical as the precise nature of online counseling is learned.