AP Computer Science Principles Flashcards: Legal And Ethical Concerns

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Legal And Ethical Concerns, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Computer Science Principles.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Define 'malware'.

Answer: Software designed to harm or exploit any device, service, or network. Includes viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and other malicious programs.

Flashcard 2: What is spyware?

Answer: Software that gathers information about a person without their knowledge. Secretly monitors user activity and may steal sensitive personal information.

Flashcard 3: What is a firewall?

Answer: A network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing traffic. Acts as barrier between trusted internal networks and untrusted external connections.

Flashcard 4: What is an ethical hacker?

Answer: A person who tests and improves security systems. Works legally to identify vulnerabilities before malicious hackers exploit them.

Flashcard 5: What is data mining?

Answer: The process of discovering patterns in large data sets. Uses algorithms to extract insights and knowledge from massive datasets.

Flashcard 6: What is a digital footprint?

Answer: The record of one's online activities. Includes all digital traces left by online searches, posts, and interactions.

Flashcard 7: What is net neutrality?

Answer: Principle that ISPs must treat all data equally. Prevents ISPs from blocking, slowing, or prioritizing certain internet content.

Flashcard 8: Define 'encryption'.

Answer: Process of converting information into a secure format. Makes data unreadable to unauthorized parties using mathematical algorithms.

Flashcard 9: What is a digital footprint?

Answer: The record of one's online activities. Includes all digital traces left by online searches, posts, and interactions.

Flashcard 10: What is a Creative Commons license?

Answer: A license that allows free use of a work under certain conditions. Offers alternatives to traditional copyright with varying levels of permissions.

Flashcard 11: What is a VPN?

Answer: Virtual Private Network, secures internet connection. Creates encrypted tunnel to protect data transmission and hide location.

Flashcard 12: What is the DMCA?

Answer: Digital Millennium Copyright Act, protects digital copyrighted works. Criminalizes circumventing digital rights management and copyright protection.

Flashcard 13: What is the FTC?

Answer: Federal Trade Commission, protects consumers. Government agency that enforces consumer protection and privacy laws.

Flashcard 14: What does 'open source' mean?

Answer: Software with source code that anyone can inspect, modify, and enhance. Promotes collaboration, transparency, and community-driven development.

Flashcard 15: What is spyware?

Answer: Software that gathers information about a person without their knowledge. Secretly monitors user activity and may steal sensitive personal information.

Flashcard 16: What is a botnet?

Answer: A network of private computers infected with malicious software. Controlled remotely to perform coordinated attacks or illegal activities.

Flashcard 17: What is the purpose of two-factor authentication?

Answer: To provide an extra layer of security for accounts. Requires something you know and something you have for account access.

Flashcard 18: Define copyright law.

Answer: Law that protects original works of authorship. Grants creators exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and display their works.

Flashcard 19: Identify one ethical issue in AI development.

Answer: Bias in AI algorithms. Algorithms can perpetuate discrimination and unfairness in decision-making.

Flashcard 20: Define 'encryption'.

Answer: Process of converting information into a secure format. Makes data unreadable to unauthorized parties using mathematical algorithms.

Flashcard 21: What is net neutrality?

Answer: Principle that ISPs must treat all data equally. Prevents ISPs from blocking, slowing, or prioritizing certain internet content.

Flashcard 22: What is data mining?

Answer: The process of discovering patterns in large data sets. Uses algorithms to extract insights and knowledge from massive datasets.

Flashcard 23: What is data privacy?

Answer: Protection of personal data from unauthorized access. Ensures individuals control how their personal information is collected and used.

Flashcard 24: What is the purpose of an EULA?

Answer: To specify terms of use for software. End User License Agreement defines permitted uses and restrictions of software.

Flashcard 25: Define copyright law.

Answer: Law that protects original works of authorship. Grants creators exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and display their works.

Flashcard 26: What does COPPA regulate?

Answer: Online privacy of children under 13. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act requires parental consent for data collection.

Flashcard 27: What is the CFAA?

Answer: Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, addresses computer-related offenses. Federal law targeting unauthorized computer access and cyber crimes.

Flashcard 28: What is a trademark?

Answer: A symbol, word, or phrase legally registered for use. Distinguishes goods/services and prevents confusion in the marketplace.

Flashcard 29: What is the DMCA?

Answer: Digital Millennium Copyright Act, protects digital copyrighted works. Criminalizes circumventing digital rights management and copyright protection.

Flashcard 30: What is a zero-day exploit?

Answer: A vulnerability unknown to the software vendor. Particularly dangerous because no patches exist when first discovered.

Flashcard 31: What is the purpose of two-factor authentication?

Answer: To provide an extra layer of security for accounts. Requires something you know and something you have for account access.

Flashcard 32: What is the FTC?

Answer: Federal Trade Commission, protects consumers. Government agency that enforces consumer protection and privacy laws.

Flashcard 33: What is an ISP?

Answer: Internet Service Provider. Company that provides internet access and connectivity to consumers.

Flashcard 34: Define 'cybersecurity'.

Answer: Protection of computer systems from theft or damage. Involves preventing breaches, malware attacks, and unauthorized access attempts.

Flashcard 35: What is a trademark?

Answer: A symbol, word, or phrase legally registered for use. Distinguishes goods/services and prevents confusion in the marketplace.

Flashcard 36: Identify a consequence of digital piracy.

Answer: Loss of revenue for content creators. Reduces income for artists, developers, and legitimate content distributors.

Flashcard 37: What is an example of a cyberattack?

Answer: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS). Overwhelms servers with traffic to disrupt services and deny access.

Flashcard 38: What does 'open source' mean?

Answer: Software with source code that anyone can inspect, modify, and enhance. Promotes collaboration, transparency, and community-driven development.

Flashcard 39: What is a Creative Commons license?

Answer: A license that allows free use of a work under certain conditions. Offers alternatives to traditional copyright with varying levels of permissions.

Flashcard 40: Define 'plagiarism'.

Answer: Using someone else's work without giving credit. Violates academic integrity and intellectual property rights of original creators.

Flashcard 41: Identify a consequence of digital piracy.

Answer: Loss of revenue for content creators. Reduces income for artists, developers, and legitimate content distributors.

Flashcard 42: Define 'identity theft'.

Answer: Use of someone's personal data without consent. Criminal act that can lead to financial fraud and privacy violations.

Flashcard 43: Define 'identity theft'.

Answer: Use of someone's personal data without consent. Criminal act that can lead to financial fraud and privacy violations.

Flashcard 44: What is an example of a cyberattack?

Answer: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS). Overwhelms servers with traffic to disrupt services and deny access.

Flashcard 45: What is a terms of service agreement?

Answer: A legal agreement between a service provider and a user. Outlines rules, responsibilities, and limitations for using a digital service.

Flashcard 46: What is intellectual property?

Answer: Creations of the mind, such as inventions, art, and designs. Covers inventions, artistic works, and other creative outputs that can be legally owned.

Flashcard 47: What is phishing?

Answer: Fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information. Often uses fake emails or websites to trick users into revealing passwords.

Flashcard 48: What is a firewall?

Answer: A network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing traffic. Acts as barrier between trusted internal networks and untrusted external connections.

Flashcard 49: Define 'fair use'.

Answer: Limited use of copyrighted material without permission. Allows criticism, comment, news reporting, and educational use without infringement.

Flashcard 50: What is a zero-day exploit?

Answer: A vulnerability unknown to the software vendor. Particularly dangerous because no patches exist when first discovered.

Flashcard 51: Define 'digital divide'.

Answer: Gap between those with and without digital access. Creates inequality in opportunities and access to information and technology.

Flashcard 52: What is the role of a data protection officer?

Answer: To ensure compliance with data protection laws. Oversees data handling practices and ensures regulatory compliance within organizations.

Flashcard 53: What is a terms of service agreement?

Answer: A legal agreement between a service provider and a user. Outlines rules, responsibilities, and limitations for using a digital service.

Flashcard 54: What is an example of a digital rights management system?

Answer: Apple's FairPlay. Apple's system controls distribution and usage of protected digital content.

Flashcard 55: What is intellectual property?

Answer: Creations of the mind, such as inventions, art, and designs. Covers inventions, artistic works, and other creative outputs that can be legally owned.

Flashcard 56: What is the purpose of an EULA?

Answer: To specify terms of use for software. End User License Agreement defines permitted uses and restrictions of software.

Flashcard 57: What is a patent?

Answer: An exclusive right granted for an invention. Provides inventors temporary monopoly rights to commercialize their innovations.

Flashcard 58: What is a botnet?

Answer: A network of private computers infected with malicious software. Controlled remotely to perform coordinated attacks or illegal activities.

Flashcard 59: What is the CFAA?

Answer: Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, addresses computer-related offenses. Federal law targeting unauthorized computer access and cyber crimes.

Flashcard 60: Define 'malware'.

Answer: Software designed to harm or exploit any device, service, or network. Includes viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and other malicious programs.

Flashcard 61: Define 'cyberbullying'.

Answer: Bullying using digital technologies. Uses technology platforms to harass, threaten, or intimidate others online.

Flashcard 62: What is the role of a data protection officer?

Answer: To ensure compliance with data protection laws. Oversees data handling practices and ensures regulatory compliance within organizations.

Flashcard 63: What is the purpose of a privacy policy?

Answer: To inform users how their data is collected and used. Required by law to ensure transparency in data handling practices.

Flashcard 64: What is an ethical hacker?

Answer: A person who tests and improves security systems. Works legally to identify vulnerabilities before malicious hackers exploit them.

Flashcard 65: Define 'cybersecurity'.

Answer: Protection of computer systems from theft or damage. Involves preventing breaches, malware attacks, and unauthorized access attempts.

Flashcard 66: What is the purpose of the GDPR?

Answer: To protect data privacy in the European Union. Establishes strict rules for data collection, processing, and user consent.

Flashcard 67: What is phishing?

Answer: Fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information. Often uses fake emails or websites to trick users into revealing passwords.