Internet Safety & The Law

When we us the Internet we are faced with many dangers.  In the outside world we protect ourselves from dangers.  When we drive a car we wear a seat belt. When we enter a building site we wear a hard hat and reflective clothing.  When we ride a motorbike we wear a crash helmet.  We do all these things to protect ourselves from potential harm. 

 

We should do the same when we go onto the Internet, as here two there are dangers not of a person physical nature, but risks to our files and programs. 

 

This week we will look at the risks, the protections methods, and the law that exist to cover the Internet.

The Data Protection Act 1998 - concerns data about people - There are 8 Principles

The Computer Misuse Act 1990 - covers hacking.

The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 - covers copyright.

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 -

covers employers looking at workers' email security etc.

The Communications Act 2003 is often used when people send offensive emails etc

The Digital Economy Act 2010 - covers software piracy.

These laws protect the use of images, software, hardware and what is called Intellectual Property. 

 
What is Intellectual Property?
The Government has a department that protect our Intellectual Property see their website for informationon copyright law and intellectual property; Intellectual Property Office.

Task
Explain each of the risks that are faced by anyone using the internet, from Viruses, Spyware, Cookies, Spam, Phishing , Hackers and Identity Theft, and how the Act listed and linked above help to protect us from the risks and also explain each of the following:

• Copyright
• Patents
• Trade Marks
• Designs
• Other protection