Student Version

CSP E-Lesson 8, Spring 2009

Words of Wisdom: "Before I started working, I would text or IM my friends
all day long. But my boss got angry when he saw me texting. He said my job requires

Laine Jenkins, 21, Dispatcher, Birmingham, AL

my full attention.

The Cyberslacker
Has anyone seen Shane? I need him to sign off on these documents ASAP, Bryn says as she pokes her
head into the break room.
Hes in the conference room with the Chief Information Officer, and I dont think hes going
to be in a good mood when he comes out, Tony volunteers as he looks up from a technical magazine.
Whats the problem? Bryns forehead creases in a worried frown.
You havent noticed? Hes the biggest cyberslacker around here, and its catching up with him,
Tony replies. Last week he downloaded a virus along with some photos from the Internet and the CIO
is H-O-T, hot!
What do you mean by cyberslacker? Bryn asks quizzically.
A cyberslacker is anyone who wastes time on the Internet instead of working, Tony tells her.
Last year a cyberslacker let a hacker into the network by accident while they were chatting online.
Then another guy got fired after the company was sued over an obscene joke he e-mailed to everyone.
The company is cracking down on anyone who violates the policy on Internet use. Shanes going to be
lucky if he still has a job when he comes out of that meeting.

Identify the three reasons why Bryns and Tonys company is concerned about cyberslacking.
1. ________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________

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Student Version

Are You Cyber Smart?

Most employers realize they cant totally stop employees from using company technology for their
personal and social needs. Although some companies prohibit personal use of the Internet, many
include a limited amount of freedom in their Internet Use policies.
As an employee, it is important for you to recognize that abuse of company technology hurts
the company--and you also since it affects how much money is available to go in your paycheck.
Cyber abuse results in low productivity, can be illegal or dangerous, and may cost people their jobs. Its
up to each employee to abide by company policy and show common sense concerning the personal use of
technology.

Items 1-9 below describe a responsible attitude toward use of company technology, and items 10-22
show an irresponsible attitude. Choose four items from each group and explain why you agree or
disagree with the statement.
1.

I know that getting work done takes precedence over my personal entertainment.

2.

Posting remarks that are hateful or embarrass another person can hurt me.

3.

Im aware that anywhere I go on the Internet can be traced.

4.

I put in long hours, so sometimes I need to do some personal chores online. I always ask for
permission so there are no misunderstandings.

5.

I reread all of my e-mails before I push the Send button to make sure I havent said anything
that I wouldnt want to be made public.

6.

Cyberslacking wont help me get ahead in my career.

7.

I never share my passwords with anybody.

8.

I dont do anything on the Internet that I cant justify or explain.

9.

Im aware that my company can be sued if I download pirated music or movies on their computers.
No.___ Explain.__________________________________________________________
No.___ Explain.__________________________________________________________
No.___ Explain.__________________________________________________________
No.___ Explain.__________________________________________________________
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Student Version

Are You Cyber Smart? (Continued)

10. My e-mails are none of the bosss business.
11. Its all right to surf the Internet at work as long as I get my work done and no one notices.
12. Theres no harm in venting my frustration with my job on my own BLOG.
13. I need to download music and movies on my work computer because I dont have a high-speed
Internet connection at home.
14. I dont see any harm in sharing files of my vacation photos with my online friends while Im at
work.
15. Its not up to me to worry about computer security; Im not a techie.
16. My best friends are on the Internet; if I dont stay in touch with them during work hours, Ill
lose the relationships.
17. Since I pay the phone bill, its okay if I use my own cell phone to talk to my friends while Im at
work.
18. Playing computer games is good because it relieves stress.
19. The company has virus protection, so I dont have to worry about what I do online.
20. The only thing I do on the Internet is visit Facebook. I wouldnt do anything that could hurt
my employer.
21.

No one told me what appropriate or inappropriate use of the Internet is at work. So its
managements fault if something I do causes a problem.

22.

If my friends text me at work, I have to answer. It only takes a few minutes.

No.___ Explain.___________________________________________________________
No.___ Explain.___________________________________________________________
No.___ Explain.___________________________________________________________
No.___ Explain.___________________________________________________________

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Student Version

The Numbers Tell a Story

The misuse of technology in the workplace is a growing and costly problem. Because technology changes
rapidly, its difficult for employers to grasp how much abuse there is and how much damage it causes.
Many groups conduct studies and polls to analyze the problem.

How knowledgeable are you about the abuse of technology and its cost? Try matching the numbers
below to the statements that are given.
46%

$150,000
64%

1.

2.1

37%

one-half

39%

78% $588 billion

$2.2 million 30% $1 million 1-in-5

18% 1-in-3

32%

Interruptions at work from technologies including IMs, cell phones, email and the Internet cost
U.S. businesses _______________ a year in lost employee productivity.

2. ______% of employees admit to surfing the Internet constantly at work and ________% say they
surf a few times a day.
3. A small company with less than 50 employees had to pay $________________ for copyright
violations involving MP3 music that an employee stored on the company computer.
4. ___ in ___ employees leave their computers logged onto the company network and unlocked when
they leave their desks for lunch and at the end of the day.
5. IT professionals say the use of unauthorized programs such as P2P or Web-based e-mail by
employees accounted for _______ of their companys data loss incidents.
6. ______% of employees access personal Web-based e-mail from business computers, which causes
a security risk.
7. In a worldwide survey of 2000 respondents, _______% of employees admitted to transferring files
between secure company networks and personal computers that family and friends use at home.
8. A leading oil company paid _____________ to settle a lawsuit concerning a sexual e-mail joke
circulated by employees.

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Student Version

The Numbers Tell a Story (Continued)

9. ____% of IT professionals know employees who access unauthorized parts of a companys network.
10. _____ in _____ employees store their passwords on their computer.
11. Out of 224 corporations _______% have disciplined employees for inappropriate use of the
Internet and _______% have fired employees for inappropriate use of the Internet.
12. A company can pay up to $_______________ per incident if an employee uses the company
network to download pirated software, music or movies.
13. The average employee spends _____ hours per day accessing the Internet for personal use at work.

Caution! Remember Peer-to-Peer Files

WPXI in Pittsburgh, PA, reported on February 28, 2009 that the government had released new
information about a potential security breach involving President Barack Obamas helicopter.
Employees at a Cranberry, PA company that monitors peer-to-peer files discovered that engineering
and communications information about Marine One had been downloaded to an IP address in Tehran,
Iran. We found a file containing the entire blueprints and avionics package for Marine One," said the
CEO of the monitoring company.
Speculation was that a defense contractor had inadvertently disclosed the information to the
Iranians. While the CEO would not name the firm responsible for the problem, he said an employee
most likely downloaded a file-sharing program, typically used to exchange music, without realizing the
risk. When downloading one of these file-sharing programs, you are effectively allowing others around
the world to access your hard drive, the CEO told the press.

Describe the possible consequences of this incident.

_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

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Student Version

And the Survey Says

While many employees still work traditional hours in an office, more and more are performing part of
their work from home or while traveling. They access their employers and co-workers through
computers, cell phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants).
While companies expect employees to be able to use technology for their personal needs while
working unusual hours or while traveling, employers are concerned about monitoring and controlling the
misuse of technology overall.

Imagine that you work 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at a company that does not keep a close watch on employees use of
technology. The company has sent the following survey form to all employees and is asking them to
complete it without identifying themselves in any way. Complete the form as if you are an employee.
1.

Do you use company technology resources such as a company cell phone, Internet access or
e-mail for personal reasons? ____ Yes ____ No

2. What are the most common personal activities you use technology for at work?
___ Socialize on the Internet ____ Make personal phone calls

____ Write a blog

___ Send personal emails

____ Randomly surf the Internet ____ Watch videos

___ Check the stock market

____ Download music and movies

____ Bank online

___ Text or IM friends

____ Perform job searches

____ Shop online

___ upload/download photos

____ Read the news

____ Play games

Other (List.) __________________________________________________________

3. Do you believe that personal use of technology at work hurts your productivity? ____Yes ____No
Explain your answer. _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
4. Do you believe that personal use of technology at work helps your productivity? ____Yes ____No
Explain your answer. _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

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Student Version

And the Survey Says (Continued)

5. How much time do you spend daily at work using technology for personal reasons? ____Hrs.____Min.
6. Do you believe companies should monitor your personal use of technology at work? ____Yes ____No
Explain your answer. _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
7. Do you agree with experts who say the Internet is addictive? ____Yes ____No
8. Do you believe employees should be allowed to surf the Net? ____Yes ____No
If so, what is the maximum amount of time that should be allowed? _____Hrs._____Min.
9. Do you know that e-mails sent from the company server belong to the company? ____Yes ____No
10. Which of the following do you consider an abuse of technology at work?
_____ Forwarding e-mail jokes to co-workers

____ Downloading movies

_____ Accessing pornography on the Internet

____ Gambling online

_____ Spending more than 10 minutes on the Internet

____ Texting friends

_____ Making long phone calls to friends

____ Performing job searches

_____ Maintaining an emotional relationship online

____ Blogging

_____ Playing computer games

____ Shopping online

Other (List.) ____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
11.

Would it surprise you to be fired for abusing technology at work? ____Yes ____No

Form a group with three classmates and write five more questions that you believe should be included
in the survey to all employees of the company.
12. ____________________________________________________________
13. _____________________________________________________________
14. _____________________________________________________________
15. _____________________________________________________________
16. _____________________________________________________________

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Student Version

Doing Your Job

You work as an IT specialist at a company that provides consulting services to some of the largest
corporations around the world. One of your jobs is to monitor how employees use technology and
report any abuses that could put the company or their customers at risk or that waste the employees
time during the day. As you perform your duties, you are faced with the following situations.
Considering your responsibility to your employer, write what you will do in each case.

Case No. 1
Deandra is an administrative assistant in the bookkeeping department who spends about 10 hours a day
on the job without ever complaining about all the unpaid hours she puts in. Shes friendly and helpful
and one of your favorite co-workers. Deandras daughter is getting married soon, and Deandra is taking
care of hundreds of details. Today, when you saw her surfing the Internet looking at wedding gowns,
you warned her that she could be in trouble if the company knew she was surfing unauthorized sites.
She smiled warmly at you and said, Well, only you and I know what Im doing, right? ________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Case No. 2
Two employees at the company have become romantically involved, although theyre trying to keep their
relationship a secret. While installing new software last week, you discovered a massive number of
e-mails theyve sent each other, so many that you wonder how they ever get any work done. ________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

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Student Version

Doing Your Job (Continued)

Case 3
One of the executives, a person whose position is several levels higher than yours, has just discovered
from his teen-age son how to download music. One evening as you go by his office, he asks you to come
in and help him download some music files. As a person who doesnt deal with computers very much,
except for spreadsheets and documents, he probably has no idea that he could be putting the companys
files at risk. ____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Case 4
You and your girlfriend/boyfriend had an argument last night, and youre very upset. The two of you
have been texting back and forth all morning as you go from desk to desk helping employees with their
IT problems. Your thumbs are getting quite a workout as your messages get longer and longer. Youve
had a couple of calls from employees wondering why youre taking so long to get to their computers.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Case 5
In trying to fix a problem with one employees computer, you discover several pornography sites that he
views. You search his records and discover that he spends about an hour and a half every day both
viewing and sending pornography. _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

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Student Version

Put It on Paper
Employers cant, and shouldnt have to, police an employees every action on the Internet, or with cell
phones, IPods, and other communication technology. Sure, you can get away with a few things when no one
is watching, but do you want to risk your job by abusing technology on company time?
Limiting or eliminating your personal texting, IMs, e-mails and Internet during work hours takes
commitment. Are you willing to make the commitment? Explain how you feel about this problem.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

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