NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Computer Science Chapter 11: Societal Impact

Chapter at a glance

Exercise Questions

Answer

Revaan pretends to be Atharv by using his logged-in account and sends messages in his name. Using another person’s identity (account) without permission to deceive others is identity theft. (He did not break any security, so it is not hacking; the inflammatory messages also harass classmates, but the crime of posing as Atharv is identity theft.)

2. Identity theft — Revaan impersonated Atharv by misusing his account.

Answer

Sharing or using someone else’s password is unethical and illegal (unauthorised access). The responsible action is to warn Garvit so his account stays safe.

1. Inform Garvit so that he may change his password.

Answer

Shaurya modified someone else’s copyrighted video and claimed it as his own (“Prepared by Shaurya”) without permission or credit. Using and altering copyrighted work without permission is copyright infringement (claiming it as his own is also plagiarism).

3. Copyright infringement.

Answer

Cyber bullying means using technology to threaten, harass or embarrass someone. (b) is threatening and (c) humiliates the friend publicly. An apology is not bullying.

1. Sending an email saying “I am sorry”.

Answer

1. Plagiarism — even after rephrasing, the ideas belong to the author of webpage 1; using them without citing the source is plagiarism.
2. Copyright infringement — the images are copyrighted; using and modifying them into a collage without permission (or an open licence) infringes copyright. Citing the source is also needed.
3. Copyright/trademark infringement — the icon (logo) is the intellectual property of its owner; pasting it without permission or credit is infringement.

Thus all three are problematic unless sources are credited and permissions/licences are checked. He should cite webpages 1–3 and use only images licensed for reuse.

All three: (a) plagiarism (ideas used without citation), (b) and (c) copyright infringement (images and logo used without permission or credit). Citing sources and using licensed content would avoid this.

Answer

Plagiarism – copy-paste into report; Hacking – breaking into computers; Credit card fraud – fakers asking for bank details with rewards; Digital footprint – trail created on the Internet.

Answer

1. No. A bank never asks for a PIN, OTP or password through SMS, call or email. The message creates urgency and gives an ordinary mobile number — signs of a phishing (smishing) fraud. Sharing the PIN would let fraudsters withdraw money.
2. Yes. I would call the official helpline number (printed on the card, passbook or bank website — not the number in the SMS) to verify the transaction and block the card if needed. I would also report the fraud (e.g. on cybercrime.gov.in or the 1930 helpline).

1. No — banks never ask for a PIN; this is phishing. b) Yes — verify by calling the bank’s official helpline (not the number in the SMS).

Answer

1. While the photos were online, Himanshu had downloaded or taken screenshots of them (or saved them in a chat). Deleting the post from the site does not delete copies that others already saved.
2. Yes. Anyone who viewed and saved the images, anyone Himanshu forwarded them to, and possibly the social networking site’s servers/backups or caches, may still have copies, and they can spread further.
3. No. The images remain a part of her digital footprint. Once something is shared online, it is very difficult to remove it completely; copies may persist on others’ devices and on servers. So one should think carefully before posting anything.

1. He had saved/downloaded copies before deletion. b) Yes — anyone who saved or received copies, and the site’s servers, may still have them. c) No — they remain in her digital footprint; online content can never be fully erased.

Answer

1. Yes. The link in the mail does not match the school’s registered URL schoolwifi.edu (it is a look-alike address). The mail creates false urgency (“expire in 24 hours”), is mass-sent, has a generic greeting and no named official — typical signs of a fake mail.
2. The link will open a fake website that looks like the school’s page. When students enter their user ID and password, these will be captured by the attacker, who can misuse the accounts; the site may also install malware.
3. Yes, it is phishing — a cyber crime in which fraudulent emails that look like they come from a trusted source trick users into revealing sensitive information such as passwords.

1. Yes — the link differs from the registered URL schoolwifi.edu and the mail uses false urgency. b) It opens a fake site that steals the password (and may install malware). c) Yes — phishing.

Answer

All of them (a, b, c and d). Every search and website visit leaves a passive digital footprint — search history, cookies, IP address and location are recorded by the browser, search engine and websites. That is why travel and hotel advertisements may start appearing afterwards. If you also logged in, booked tickets or wrote reviews, you created an active footprint too.

All four actions create a digital footprint (search history, cookies, IP/location data).

Answer

1. Signs/online activities

1. Hurtful, threatening or abusive comments on the friend’s posts, photos or messages.
2. Embarrassing photos, videos or rumours about the friend being shared.
3. Fake profiles created in the friend’s name.
4. The friend being deliberately excluded from online groups, or tagged in mocking posts.
5. The friend suddenly avoiding the phone/computer, deleting accounts, or appearing upset, anxious or withdrawn after being online.

2. Provisions of IT Act 2000 (amended 2008)

1. It gives legal recognition to electronic records and allows victims to file complaints with the cyber cell/police.
2. Section 66C — punishment for identity theft (misuse of passwords, fake profiles).
3. Section 66D — cheating by personation using a computer.
4. Section 66E — violation of privacy (capturing or publishing private images).
5. Section 67 — publishing or transmitting obscene material electronically.
6. Offending messages can also be dealt with under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (criminal intimidation, defamation). (Section 66A, which punished offensive messages, was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015.)

1. Abusive comments, shared embarrassing content, fake profiles, exclusion, and the friend’s withdrawn behaviour. b) The IT Act allows complaints to the cyber cell and punishes identity theft (66C), personation (66D), privacy violation (66E) and obscene content (67).

Answer

a) Copyright vs patent

b) Plagiarism vs copyright infringement

c) Non-ethical vs ethical hacking

d) Active vs passive footprints

e) Free software vs FOSS

1. Copyright protects creative expression automatically; patent protects inventions on grant. b) Plagiarism is not crediting; infringement is using without permission. c) Ethical hacking is authorised to fix security; non-ethical is unauthorised and harmful. d) Active footprint is shared intentionally; passive is collected unknowingly. e) Free software costs nothing; FOSS also gives open source code to modify and share.

Answer

1. Put the copied text within quotation marks (or rephrase it in your own words).
2. Cite the source immediately — author’s name, title of the article, website name, URL, date of publication and the date you accessed it.
3. Add a full entry in the references/bibliography at the end, in a standard style (e.g. APA/MLA).
4. Check the website’s terms of use/licence (e.g. Creative Commons) and follow its attribution requirements.
5. Use only a short portion; for longer use, take the author’s permission.

Quote (or paraphrase) the text, cite the author, title, website, URL and access date beside it and in the bibliography, and follow the site’s licence terms.

Answer

Finding free pictures

1. In Google Images, use Tools → Usage rights → Creative Commons licences.
2. Use free image sites such as Wikimedia Commons, Pixabay, Unsplash, Pexels, Openverse.
3. Look for images marked Public Domain (CC0) or with a Creative Commons licence.

Using them without violation

1. Read the licence — check whether attribution is required, whether modification or commercial use is allowed (CC BY, CC BY-SA, CC BY-NC).
2. Give credit — name of the creator, source and licence, e.g. “Photo by X, Unsplash, CC BY 4.0”.
3. Do not claim the images as your own; share modified versions under the same licence if required (ShareAlike).

Filter searches by Creative Commons/public domain usage rights or use sites like Wikimedia Commons and Pixabay; follow the licence terms and credit the creator and source.

Answer

Why secure the router: an unsecured Wi-Fi lets outsiders use your Internet (slowing it and raising bills), access devices and files on your home network, intercept data, and commit illegal acts online that would be traced back to your connection.

Rules for a secure password

1. At least 12 characters long.
2. A mix of uppercase, lowercase letters, digits and special symbols.
3. No personal information (name, birthday, phone number) or dictionary words.
4. Different from your other passwords; change it periodically.
5. Use WPA2/WPA3 encryption and change the router’s default admin password.

Imaginary password: Tr!9#Kite_Blue42 (example only)

Sharing

1. Parents — Yes. They are family members, responsible for the connection and need to use it.
2. Friends — No (or only a guest network). They may share it further; use a separate guest network with a different password if needed.
3. Neighbours — No. They are outside the home; they could misuse the connection and access the network.
4. Home tutors — No, or only through a guest network for limited use; the main password should stay within the family.

Securing the router prevents misuse and data theft. Use a long password mixing cases, digits and symbols (e.g. Tr!9#Kite_Blue42). Share it with parents only; give friends, neighbours or tutors a guest network if needed.

Answer

a) Keeping the computer in good condition:

1. Keep it clean and dust-free; don’t eat or drink near it.
2. Ensure good ventilation; avoid overheating.
3. Use a UPS/surge protector against power fluctuations.
4. Install genuine software and keep the OS and antivirus updated.
5. Regularly scan for malware, delete unwanted files, and back up data.
6. Shut down properly; handle cables and hardware carefully.

b) Smart and safe surfing:

1. Use strong, different passwords and two-factor authentication.
2. Visit only secure sites (https, padlock icon); don’t click suspicious links or pop-ups.
3. Don’t share personal information with strangers; check privacy settings.
4. Download only from trusted sources; keep antivirus active.
5. Log out after use, especially on shared computers; clear browsing data.
6. Verify information before believing or sharing it; avoid public Wi-Fi for banking.

1. Keep it clean, ventilated and protected with a UPS, use genuine updated software and antivirus, back up and shut down properly. b) Use strong passwords and 2FA, secure https sites, avoid suspicious links and downloads, protect personal data, and log out on shared computers.

Answer

Data privacy is the right of a person to control how their personal information is collected, used, stored and shared, and the protection of that information from unauthorised access or misuse.

Information collected by websites

1. Name, email ID, phone number, address (when you register or fill forms).
2. IP address, device type, browser and operating system.
3. Location.
4. Browsing history, search queries, pages visited and time spent (through cookies).
5. Purchase history and payment details.
6. Likes, posts, contacts and interests (on social media).

Data privacy is control over and protection of one’s personal information; websites collect personal details, IP address, device and browser data, location, browsing/search history (cookies) and purchase information.

Answer

• Sunil uses proprietary software: Google Chrome is a closed-source browser (built on the open Chromium project), and Google Docs is a free-to-use but proprietary cloud-based (online) word processor.
• Jagdish uses free and open source software (FOSS): Mozilla Firefox and LibreOffice Writer have open source code that anyone can view, modify and share. LibreOffice Writer is installed on the computer and works offline.

Sunil uses proprietary (freeware) tools, with Google Docs online in the cloud; Jagdish uses free and open source tools (Firefox, LibreOffice), with LibreOffice installed offline.

Answer

a) Identity theft — example: someone obtained my social media password and created posts and messages in my name asking friends for money; or a fake profile was created using my photos and name.

b) Credit card account theft — example: after shopping on a fake website, I received alerts of purchases I never made; or I shared an OTP on a call from a person pretending to be a bank official and money was debited.

Provisions of IT Act 2000 (amended 2008)

• Section 43 — compensation for unauthorised access, data theft and damage to a computer system.
• Section 66 — punishment for computer-related offences (hacking with dishonest intent).
• Section 66C — identity theft: fraudulent use of another’s password, electronic signature or unique ID — imprisonment up to 3 years and fine up to ₹ 1 lakh.
• Section 66D — cheating by personation using computer resources (phishing, fake bank calls) — imprisonment up to 3 years and fine up to ₹ 1 lakh.
• Victims can complain to the cyber crime cell, the national portal cybercrime.gov.in or helpline 1930, and should inform the bank immediately to block the card.

Examples: a hacked account or fake profile used in my name (identity theft); unauthorised card transactions after phishing (credit card theft). IT Act sections 43, 66, 66C (identity theft) and 66D (cheating by personation) provide compensation and punishment.

Answer

Missing: subject, formal greeting, self-explanatory terms (PFA used) and regards; sender identity is incomplete (only the first name, no class or roll number).

Answer

1. Eye strain: long screen time causes dry, tired eyes and blurred vision — follow the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds); keep brightness comfortable and the screen at arm’s length.
2. Posture problems: using the laptop on the lap or bed causes neck, back and shoulder pain — sit upright on a chair with back support; keep the screen at eye level (use a stand or external keyboard).
3. Repetitive strain injury: constant typing and mouse use can hurt wrists and fingers (carpal tunnel) — keep wrists straight and take breaks.
4. Heat: laptops get hot — don’t keep it on the lap for long.
5. Sleep disturbance: screen light at night disrupts sleep — avoid screens an hour before bed.
6. Lack of physical activity: may lead to obesity — take regular breaks, play outdoor games and exercise.
7. Internet addiction and mental health: excessive gaming/social media affects studies, mood and relationships — set time limits.
8. Hearing: use headphones at low volume.

Discuss eye strain (20-20-20 rule), correct posture and ergonomics, wrist strain, heat, sleep disturbance, lack of exercise, Internet addiction and safe headphone volume — with regular breaks and time limits.

Topic checklist

• ☒ Digital footprints (Q8, 10, 12d)
• ☒ Net and communication etiquette (Q2, 20)
• ☒ Intellectual property: plagiarism, copyright, licensing, FOSS (Q3, 5, 12, 13, 14, 18)
• ☒ Cyber crimes and IT Act (Q1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 19)
• ☒ Data privacy and safe computing (Q15–17)
• ☒ Health and technology (Q21)

Total questions answered: 21 of 21