WGU D333 Ethics in Technology - Complete Exam
Practice Test Bank for Objective Assessment &
Pre-Assessment | All 350 Questions with Correct
Answers and Detailed Explanations || Latest
Update 2026
Question 1
Which philosophical theory focuses on the consequences of an action, aiming to provide
the greatest good for the greatest number of people?
A. Deontology
B. Virtue Ethics
C. Utilitarianism
D. Social Contract Theory
Correct Answer: C. Utilitarianism
Rationale: Utilitarianism evaluates the morality of an action based on its outcomes,
specifically the principle of the greatest good for the greatest number. Deontology
focuses on duties and rules, Virtue Ethics on character, and Social Contract Theory on
agreements within society .
Question 2
What is the difference between ethics and morals?
A. Ethics and morals are the same concept
B. Ethics reflect a societal code of behavior, whereas morals reflect personal principles
C. Ethics reflect personal principles, whereas morals reflect societal codes
D. Ethics and morals are both personal beliefs
Correct Answer: B. Ethics reflect a societal code of behavior, whereas morals reflect
personal principles
Rationale: Ethics are shared standards of right and wrong within a group or
profession, while morals are an individual's personal principles. Understanding this
distinction is fundamental to ethical analysis in technology .
pg. 1
,Question 3
A tech worker's computer acts abnormally shortly after the worker starts their shift. The
computer is up-to-date on all relevant patches and updates. The installed antivirus
software has not identified any malicious code. During the investigation, the worker
discovers that an attacker compromised the system, even though the worker did not
engage in any behavior that could have introduced a virus or other external malicious
software into the computer. Which method of attack was used to compromise the
worker's machine?
A. Trojan horse
B. Spear phishing
C. Zero-day exploit
D. Blended threat
Correct Answer: C. Zero-day exploit
Rationale: A zero-day exploit attacks a previously unknown vulnerability for which no
patch exists, allowing compromise even on fully updated systems. Trojan horses require
user action to install, spear phishing involves targeted email attacks, and blended
threats combine multiple attack methods .
Question 4
Nadia is a hacktivist who targets oil refining companies. She primarily focuses on
deleting important client information, as well as human resources records. While Nadia
acknowledges that her actions do hurt some people, she justifies it by stating that it is
for the greater good. Which theory best exemplifies Nadia's reasoning?
A. Deontology
B. Virtue Ethics
C. Utilitarianism
D. Egoism
Correct Answer: C. Utilitarianism
Rationale: Utilitarianism justifies actions by their consequences, weighing the greatest
good for the greatest number. Nadia's reasoning that harming some is acceptable for the
greater good reflects utilitarian thinking, even if her actions are illegal .
Question 5
Which ethical framework is based on moral duties and rules that should be followed
regardless of consequences?
pg. 2
,A. Utilitarianism
B. Deontology
C. Virtue Ethics
D. Consequentialism
Correct Answer: B. Deontology
Rationale: Deontology holds that certain actions are inherently right or wrong based
on moral rules and duties, regardless of their outcomes. This contrasts with
consequentialism (including utilitarianism), which judges actions by their results .
Question 6
A developer creates video games based on real war scenarios and designs characters that
mimic real people from world events. The video game has content perceived as
excessively violent and rewards players who inflict the most harm on other players'
virtual characters. The developer knows that these are simulated acts that depict real
war scenarios to create an immersive experience for players but is concerned about the
impact on their moral character. Which ethical theory does this situation represent?
A. Utilitarianism
B. Deontology
C. Virtue Ethics
D. Social Contract Theory
Correct Answer: C. Virtue Ethics
Rationale: Virtue Ethics focuses on the character and moral development of
individuals, considering whether actions promote or diminish virtuous traits. The
developer's concern about the impact on players' moral character reflects virtue ethical
thinking .
Question 7
An IT company holds itself accountable for how its actions affect its shareholders,
consumers, employees, community, the environment, and suppliers. What is this
company demonstrating?
A. Corporate Social Responsibility
B. Legal Compliance
C. Risk Management
D. Profit Maximization
Correct Answer: A. Corporate Social Responsibility
pg. 3
, Rationale: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) refers to a business model where
companies voluntarily integrate social and environmental concerns into their
operations, considering stakeholders beyond shareholders .
Question 8
What is the primary purpose of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)?
A. To regulate the hardware specifications of servers in Europe
B. To protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens
C. To establish internet service provider regulations
D. To regulate e-commerce taxation
Correct Answer: B. To protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens
Rationale: GDPR is a comprehensive privacy regulation that protects EU citizens'
personal data, granting rights such as access, rectification, erasure ("right to be
forgotten"), and data portability. It applies to any organization processing EU residents'
data .
Question 9
Under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), what is the term for the provision
that protects service providers from liability for infringing content posted by users?
A. Fair Use
B. Safe Harbor
C. Right to be Forgotten
D. Copyleft
Correct Answer: B. Safe Harbor
Rationale: Safe Harbor provisions protect internet service providers and platforms
from liability for user-generated copyright infringement, provided they follow specific
"notice and takedown" procedures. This encourages platforms to remove infringing
content without facing legal liability .
Question 10
Which intellectual property protection is most appropriate for a unique chemical
formula used in a new battery technology that a company wants to keep secret
indefinitely?
pg. 4
Practice Test Bank for Objective Assessment &
Pre-Assessment | All 350 Questions with Correct
Answers and Detailed Explanations || Latest
Update 2026
Question 1
Which philosophical theory focuses on the consequences of an action, aiming to provide
the greatest good for the greatest number of people?
A. Deontology
B. Virtue Ethics
C. Utilitarianism
D. Social Contract Theory
Correct Answer: C. Utilitarianism
Rationale: Utilitarianism evaluates the morality of an action based on its outcomes,
specifically the principle of the greatest good for the greatest number. Deontology
focuses on duties and rules, Virtue Ethics on character, and Social Contract Theory on
agreements within society .
Question 2
What is the difference between ethics and morals?
A. Ethics and morals are the same concept
B. Ethics reflect a societal code of behavior, whereas morals reflect personal principles
C. Ethics reflect personal principles, whereas morals reflect societal codes
D. Ethics and morals are both personal beliefs
Correct Answer: B. Ethics reflect a societal code of behavior, whereas morals reflect
personal principles
Rationale: Ethics are shared standards of right and wrong within a group or
profession, while morals are an individual's personal principles. Understanding this
distinction is fundamental to ethical analysis in technology .
pg. 1
,Question 3
A tech worker's computer acts abnormally shortly after the worker starts their shift. The
computer is up-to-date on all relevant patches and updates. The installed antivirus
software has not identified any malicious code. During the investigation, the worker
discovers that an attacker compromised the system, even though the worker did not
engage in any behavior that could have introduced a virus or other external malicious
software into the computer. Which method of attack was used to compromise the
worker's machine?
A. Trojan horse
B. Spear phishing
C. Zero-day exploit
D. Blended threat
Correct Answer: C. Zero-day exploit
Rationale: A zero-day exploit attacks a previously unknown vulnerability for which no
patch exists, allowing compromise even on fully updated systems. Trojan horses require
user action to install, spear phishing involves targeted email attacks, and blended
threats combine multiple attack methods .
Question 4
Nadia is a hacktivist who targets oil refining companies. She primarily focuses on
deleting important client information, as well as human resources records. While Nadia
acknowledges that her actions do hurt some people, she justifies it by stating that it is
for the greater good. Which theory best exemplifies Nadia's reasoning?
A. Deontology
B. Virtue Ethics
C. Utilitarianism
D. Egoism
Correct Answer: C. Utilitarianism
Rationale: Utilitarianism justifies actions by their consequences, weighing the greatest
good for the greatest number. Nadia's reasoning that harming some is acceptable for the
greater good reflects utilitarian thinking, even if her actions are illegal .
Question 5
Which ethical framework is based on moral duties and rules that should be followed
regardless of consequences?
pg. 2
,A. Utilitarianism
B. Deontology
C. Virtue Ethics
D. Consequentialism
Correct Answer: B. Deontology
Rationale: Deontology holds that certain actions are inherently right or wrong based
on moral rules and duties, regardless of their outcomes. This contrasts with
consequentialism (including utilitarianism), which judges actions by their results .
Question 6
A developer creates video games based on real war scenarios and designs characters that
mimic real people from world events. The video game has content perceived as
excessively violent and rewards players who inflict the most harm on other players'
virtual characters. The developer knows that these are simulated acts that depict real
war scenarios to create an immersive experience for players but is concerned about the
impact on their moral character. Which ethical theory does this situation represent?
A. Utilitarianism
B. Deontology
C. Virtue Ethics
D. Social Contract Theory
Correct Answer: C. Virtue Ethics
Rationale: Virtue Ethics focuses on the character and moral development of
individuals, considering whether actions promote or diminish virtuous traits. The
developer's concern about the impact on players' moral character reflects virtue ethical
thinking .
Question 7
An IT company holds itself accountable for how its actions affect its shareholders,
consumers, employees, community, the environment, and suppliers. What is this
company demonstrating?
A. Corporate Social Responsibility
B. Legal Compliance
C. Risk Management
D. Profit Maximization
Correct Answer: A. Corporate Social Responsibility
pg. 3
, Rationale: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) refers to a business model where
companies voluntarily integrate social and environmental concerns into their
operations, considering stakeholders beyond shareholders .
Question 8
What is the primary purpose of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)?
A. To regulate the hardware specifications of servers in Europe
B. To protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens
C. To establish internet service provider regulations
D. To regulate e-commerce taxation
Correct Answer: B. To protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens
Rationale: GDPR is a comprehensive privacy regulation that protects EU citizens'
personal data, granting rights such as access, rectification, erasure ("right to be
forgotten"), and data portability. It applies to any organization processing EU residents'
data .
Question 9
Under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), what is the term for the provision
that protects service providers from liability for infringing content posted by users?
A. Fair Use
B. Safe Harbor
C. Right to be Forgotten
D. Copyleft
Correct Answer: B. Safe Harbor
Rationale: Safe Harbor provisions protect internet service providers and platforms
from liability for user-generated copyright infringement, provided they follow specific
"notice and takedown" procedures. This encourages platforms to remove infringing
content without facing legal liability .
Question 10
Which intellectual property protection is most appropriate for a unique chemical
formula used in a new battery technology that a company wants to keep secret
indefinitely?
pg. 4
