Who is ethically responsible for malware attacks due to default network passwords: the user or manufacturer? Default Network Passwords and Ethical Responsibility

Ethical responsibility and Default Network Passwords 

A default network password is a common cause of malware attacks. It creates an ongoing ethical problem about who should ultimately be held responsible. Manufacturers of services and devices that provide access to networks through default passwords might not consider themselves to be responsible. However, “…the users are deemed to be responsible for the change of default passwords, once they have been purchased” (Bagaeen (2015)). Users can also depend on manufacturers to safeguard them when necessary (Kruger 2021).   Users have the right to assume that any product or service they purchase has sufficient security. If networks are compromised, manufacturers may be held responsible for a portion of this responsibility. It is important that manufacturers remind their users regularly to update or disable default passwords, before first using them. The breach could result in both manufacturer and user being held accountable.   It may fall to governments to determine how ethical responsibility should be divided between manufacturers and users. In order to minimize the damage caused by malware attacks by default network passwords on devices, manufacturers should remind users that their security is their responsibility. However, users also need to be accountable by taking proactive steps.  Cont…