Encryption – Study Guide

 

What is Encryption?

• A way of coding the information in a file or e-mail message so that if it is intercepted by a third party as it travels over a network it cannot be read. Only the persons sending and receiving the information have the key and this makes it unreadable to anyone except the intended persons.
  http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-encryption.htm?referrer=adwords_campaign=encryption_ad=016561&_search_kw=what%20is%20encryption

 

What are the Ethical Issues Surrounding Encryption?

• Encryption provides a means for terrorists to communicate without fear of government interception. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2001-02-05-binladen.htm
• Encryption can also be used to keep government information secure. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1555981.stm
• However, if governments can outlaw or crack encryption, citizens’ rights may be compromised. http://rescomp.stanford.edu/~pweston/privacy.html
• Encryption can also be used to monitor employees at work. http://www.lugod.org/presentations/pgp/why.html

 

Encryption may Aid Terrorism

• It can potentially allow terrorists to communicate without fear of governments observing what they are doing. http://www.cs.georgetown.edu/~denning/crypto/cases.html

      http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2001-02-05-binladen.htm

 

Encryption may Prevent Terrorism

• Encryption, like many things is merely a means, not an end, and may be used for both good and bad. http://news.com.com/2010-1071-281568.html
• In fact, Encryption can even be used to fight Terrorism. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1555981.stm

 

·Encryption at the Office

• Employers can monitor employees at work to ensure that they are being productive.
• This may infringe upon employees privacy issues, especially if on break. https://www.vault.com/nr/newsmain.jsp?nr_page=3&ch_id=402&article_id=19262&cat_id=1101

 

 

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