This exam tips covers Exam Tips - Legal Issues within Legal Issues in Computing for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Legal Issues in Computing in 3.8 Ethical, Legal, Cultural and Environmental Impacts for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 14 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 7 of 7 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Exam Tips - Legal Issues
Key points to remember:
- Know what each act covers - Data Protection (personal data), Computer Misuse (hacking), Copyright (creative works)
- For scenario questions, identify which law applies to the situation
- Common mistake: Confusing Data Protection (personal data like names, addresses) with Copyright (creative works like music, software)
- Computer Misuse Act has 4 sections - know what each covers and penalties
Common exam mistakes to avoid:
- Saying "Data Protection Act protects software" - that's Copyright!
- Forgetting that unauthorized access is illegal EVEN if no damage is done
- Not mentioning that individuals have rights under GDPR (access, correction, deletion)
- Vague answers - be specific about which section or principle applies
Practice questions for Legal Issues in Computing
Which law makes it illegal to access a computer system without permission?
Explain what the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 protects and give one example of an act that would be illegal under this law.
Quick recall flashcards
What does copyright protect?
Creative works - music, software, images, text
What year was the Computer Misuse Act?
1990