For a tutorial on Malware (viruses and the like) and Encryption, see General Topics - Security and Malware

Update - Any file or collection of files that improves the performance of a computer program. Often used when upgrading from one version of a program to a better one.

Patch - a small program or program segment that solves a problem with a given program or fixes a bug. Often downloaded from manufacturers on the WWW.

Screen saver. Program to display an animated image covering the entire screen when no activity is carried out for several minutes.

• Originally used to prevent "screen burn in" from unchanging images of long duration.
• Now often used to "hide" your work while you are away from the machine.

List server - a server that automates the collection and distribution of messages from groups of people.

• Not the same as a mail server.
• The group of people subscribing to the list server is the listserve group.
• Allows collaboration for teams.
• Subscribe to a list server by sending it a specially formatted E-mail.
• List server can maintain both public and private mailing lists.
• Communication with members of the group is achieved by E-mailing to one common address, the contents of which are forwarded to everyone in the group.
• Mailing lists are configured and maintained using the Mailing List Manager.

Security-related Legal and Ethical Issues

Privacy concerns - take simple measures to minimise being added to spam mailing lists etc.

• Avoid joining unwanted mailing lists.
• Conduct transactions through secure web sites only.
• Do not assume that only the intended recipient will read an E-mail. For example, companies often monitor employees' E-mails or prevent them from visiting certain websites.
• Be selective when posting information to newsgroups.

Reasons giving for monitoring employees include:

• protecting proprietary information,
• preventing employees from downloading undesirable data/malware,
• ensuring company facilities are used only for company business.

Copyright issues - Copyright protects expression and originality.

• There is no principle of international copyright.
• Information Infrastructure Task Force (IITF), formed 1993, created a standard for copyright of digital data.
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), specialised UN agency that protects copyright in more than 170 countries.
• Precedent copyright law includes:
  • Sega Enterprises Ltd. vs. MAPHIA
  • Playboy Enterprises vs. Frena
  • Recording Industry Association of America vs. Napster

You can use copyright material if you obtain a licence from the copyright owner. The terms of the licence control the terms of the use.

Note, that copyright extends to trademarks, which are names, slogans or logos of companies.

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