PunkSpider is a software tool that constantly scans the web, and automatically identifies the hackable vulnerabilities in those websites. It then allows anyone to search those results by URL keyword or type of vulnerability. PunkSpider collects a catalogue of unpatched vulnerabilities and makes them public. Its developers hope that the tool will force website administrators to fix those vulnerabilities. However, malevolent actors might exploit the disclosed vulnerabilities first. The tools creators are aware of this risk. One of the creators, Alejandro Carceres, pointed out that scanners that find web vulnerabilities have always existed. This one just makes the results public. An earlier version of PunkSpider had been repeatedly kicked off Amazon Web Services. In its new version, the tool now includes a feature that allows web administrators to spot PunkSpider's probing based on the user agent that helps identify visitors to a website, and an opt-out feature that lets websites remove themselves from the tool's searches. When asked about the ethics of creating and deploying PunkSpider, some of the cybersecurity experts argue that vulnerabilities themselves are what would lead to the hacking of websites, a tool like this just makes those vulnerabilities visible. Assessment Task Based on the case scenario provided below, write a 700-word (+/- 10%) report. This report should include comparisons of existing ethical theories in relation to the case study and provide recommendations based on your analysis. Context The world wide web (www) has long been a playground for hackers, offering up hundreds of millions of public-facing servers having basic vulnerabilities that can be exploited. This assessment gives you the opportunity to study a case and apply the knowledge and theories youve learnt in Module 1: Ethical Theories, Module 2: IT Professional Code of Conduct, and Module 3: IP and Copy Rights. In doing so, you are required to analyse the case scenario and provide your critical analysis and recommendations of the case study. Please also review the learning resources provided in Module 1 to 4. 1. Write a 700-word essay and address the following: a. Who are the stakeholders involved in this case? Identify the importance and influence of each stakeholder in this case. b. What ethical issues do you spot in this scenario? c. Consider the case through the ethical lenses of rights, justice, utilitarianism, virtue, and the common good; what aspects of the ethical landscape do they highlight? d. Does the inclusion of an opt-out feature change your ethical analysis of the project? If so, how? e. Illustrate with an example how excellence can be achieved through professional collaboration. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of collaboration in the IT profession?

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IPP221-Assess....pdf

IPP221-Assess....pdf