WGU D333
WGU D333 Ethics in Technology Exam
Study Guide Questions and Answers 2025
acceptable use policy (AUP)
A document that stipulates restrictions and practices that a user must agree in order
to use organizational computing and network resources.
acceptance
When an organization decides to accept a risk because the cost of avoiding the risk
outweighs the potential loss of the risk. A decision to accept a risk can be
extremely difficult and controversial when dealing with safety-critical systems
because making that determination involves forming personal judgments about the
value of human life, assessing potential liability in case of an accident, evaluating
the potential impact on the surrounding natural environment, and estimating the
system's costs and benefits.
advanced persistent threat (APT)
A network attack in which an intruder gains access to a network and stays there—
undetected—with the intention of stealing data over a long period of time (weeks
or even months).
agile development
A software development methodology in which a system is developed in iterations
lasting from one to four weeks. Unlike the waterfall system development model,
agile development accepts the fact that system requirements are evolving and
cannot be fully understood or defined at the start of the project.
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
An agreement of the World Trade Organization that requires member governments
to ensure that intellectual property rights can be enforced under their laws and that
penalties for infringement are tough enough to deter further violations.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
WGU D333
,WGU D333
A wide-ranging act that authorized $787 billion in spending and tax cuts over a 10-
year period and included strong privacy provisions for electronic health records,
such as banning the sale of health information, promoting the use of audit trails and
encryption, and providing rights of access for patients.
annualized loss expectancy (ALE)
The estimated loss from a potential risk event over the course of a year. The
following equation is used to calculate the annual loss expectancy: ARO × SLE =
ALE. Where ARO is the annualized rate of occurrence, an estimate of the
probability that this event will occur over the course of a year and SLE is the single
loss expectancy, the estimated loss that would be incurred if the event happens.
annualized rate of occurrence (ARO)
An estimate of the probability that a risk event will occur over the course of a year.
anonymous expression
The expression of opinions by people who do not reveal their identity.
anonymous remailer service
A service that allows anonymity on the Internet by using a computer program that
strips the originating header and/or IP address from the message and then forwards
the message to its intended recipient.
anti-SLAPP laws
Laws designed to reduce frivolous SLAPPs (strategic lawsuit against public
participation (SLAPP), which is a lawsuit filed by corporations, government
officials, and others against citizens and community groups who oppose them on
matters of concern).
antivirus software
Software that scans for a specific sequence of bytes, known as a virus signature,
that indicates the presence of a specific virus.
artificial intelligence systems
The people, procedures, hardware, software, data, and knowledge needed to
develop computer systems and machines that can simulate human intelligence
WGU D333
,WGU D333
processes, including learning (the acquisition of information and rules for using the
information), reasoning (using rules to reach conclusions), and self-correction
(using the outcome from one scenario to improve its performance on future
scenarios).
audit committee
A group that provides assistance to the board of directors in fulfilling its
responsibilities with respect to the oversight of the quality and integrity of the
organization's accounting and reporting practices and controls, including financial
statements and reports; the organization's compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements; the qualifications, independence, and performance of the company's
independent auditor; and the performance of the company's internal audit team.
avoidance
The elimination of a vulnerability that gives rise to a particular risk in order to
avoid the risk altogether. This is the most effective solution but often not possible
due to organizational requirements and factors beyond an organization's control.
Bathsheba syndrome
The moral corruption of people in power, which is often facilitated by a tendency
for people to look the other way when their leaders act inappropriately.
best practice
A method or technique that has consistently shown results superior to those
achieved with other means and that is used as a benchmark within a particular
industry.
Bill of Rights
The first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution that spell out additional
rights of individuals.
black-box testing
A type of dynamic testing that involves viewing the software unit as a device that
has expected input and output behaviors but whose internal workings are unknown
(a black box).
WGU D333
, WGU D333
blended threat
A sophisticated threat that combines the features of a virus, worm, Trojan horse,
and other malicious code into a single payload.
body of knowledge
An agreed-upon sets of skills and abilities that all licensed professionals must
possess.
botnet
A large group of computers, which are controlled from one or more remote
locations by hackers, without the knowledge or consent of their owners.
breach of contract
The failure of one party to meet the terms of a contract.
breach of the duty of care
The failure to act as a reasonable person would act.
breach of warranty
When a product fails to meet the terms of its warranty.
bribery
The act of providing money, property, or favors to someone in business or
government in order to obtain a business advantage.
bring your own device (BYOD)
A business policy that permits, and in some cases, encourages employees to use
their own mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, or laptops) to access company
computing resources and applications, including email, corporate databases, the
corporate intranet, and the Internet.
BSA | The Software Alliance
A trade group that represent the world's largest software and hardware
manufacturers.
business continuity plan
WGU D333
WGU D333 Ethics in Technology Exam
Study Guide Questions and Answers 2025
acceptable use policy (AUP)
A document that stipulates restrictions and practices that a user must agree in order
to use organizational computing and network resources.
acceptance
When an organization decides to accept a risk because the cost of avoiding the risk
outweighs the potential loss of the risk. A decision to accept a risk can be
extremely difficult and controversial when dealing with safety-critical systems
because making that determination involves forming personal judgments about the
value of human life, assessing potential liability in case of an accident, evaluating
the potential impact on the surrounding natural environment, and estimating the
system's costs and benefits.
advanced persistent threat (APT)
A network attack in which an intruder gains access to a network and stays there—
undetected—with the intention of stealing data over a long period of time (weeks
or even months).
agile development
A software development methodology in which a system is developed in iterations
lasting from one to four weeks. Unlike the waterfall system development model,
agile development accepts the fact that system requirements are evolving and
cannot be fully understood or defined at the start of the project.
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
An agreement of the World Trade Organization that requires member governments
to ensure that intellectual property rights can be enforced under their laws and that
penalties for infringement are tough enough to deter further violations.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
WGU D333
,WGU D333
A wide-ranging act that authorized $787 billion in spending and tax cuts over a 10-
year period and included strong privacy provisions for electronic health records,
such as banning the sale of health information, promoting the use of audit trails and
encryption, and providing rights of access for patients.
annualized loss expectancy (ALE)
The estimated loss from a potential risk event over the course of a year. The
following equation is used to calculate the annual loss expectancy: ARO × SLE =
ALE. Where ARO is the annualized rate of occurrence, an estimate of the
probability that this event will occur over the course of a year and SLE is the single
loss expectancy, the estimated loss that would be incurred if the event happens.
annualized rate of occurrence (ARO)
An estimate of the probability that a risk event will occur over the course of a year.
anonymous expression
The expression of opinions by people who do not reveal their identity.
anonymous remailer service
A service that allows anonymity on the Internet by using a computer program that
strips the originating header and/or IP address from the message and then forwards
the message to its intended recipient.
anti-SLAPP laws
Laws designed to reduce frivolous SLAPPs (strategic lawsuit against public
participation (SLAPP), which is a lawsuit filed by corporations, government
officials, and others against citizens and community groups who oppose them on
matters of concern).
antivirus software
Software that scans for a specific sequence of bytes, known as a virus signature,
that indicates the presence of a specific virus.
artificial intelligence systems
The people, procedures, hardware, software, data, and knowledge needed to
develop computer systems and machines that can simulate human intelligence
WGU D333
,WGU D333
processes, including learning (the acquisition of information and rules for using the
information), reasoning (using rules to reach conclusions), and self-correction
(using the outcome from one scenario to improve its performance on future
scenarios).
audit committee
A group that provides assistance to the board of directors in fulfilling its
responsibilities with respect to the oversight of the quality and integrity of the
organization's accounting and reporting practices and controls, including financial
statements and reports; the organization's compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements; the qualifications, independence, and performance of the company's
independent auditor; and the performance of the company's internal audit team.
avoidance
The elimination of a vulnerability that gives rise to a particular risk in order to
avoid the risk altogether. This is the most effective solution but often not possible
due to organizational requirements and factors beyond an organization's control.
Bathsheba syndrome
The moral corruption of people in power, which is often facilitated by a tendency
for people to look the other way when their leaders act inappropriately.
best practice
A method or technique that has consistently shown results superior to those
achieved with other means and that is used as a benchmark within a particular
industry.
Bill of Rights
The first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution that spell out additional
rights of individuals.
black-box testing
A type of dynamic testing that involves viewing the software unit as a device that
has expected input and output behaviors but whose internal workings are unknown
(a black box).
WGU D333
, WGU D333
blended threat
A sophisticated threat that combines the features of a virus, worm, Trojan horse,
and other malicious code into a single payload.
body of knowledge
An agreed-upon sets of skills and abilities that all licensed professionals must
possess.
botnet
A large group of computers, which are controlled from one or more remote
locations by hackers, without the knowledge or consent of their owners.
breach of contract
The failure of one party to meet the terms of a contract.
breach of the duty of care
The failure to act as a reasonable person would act.
breach of warranty
When a product fails to meet the terms of its warranty.
bribery
The act of providing money, property, or favors to someone in business or
government in order to obtain a business advantage.
bring your own device (BYOD)
A business policy that permits, and in some cases, encourages employees to use
their own mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, or laptops) to access company
computing resources and applications, including email, corporate databases, the
corporate intranet, and the Internet.
BSA | The Software Alliance
A trade group that represent the world's largest software and hardware
manufacturers.
business continuity plan
WGU D333
