Paul Allen visited the Computer Science Department of a neighboring university to seek advice on how to improve the security of his business's local area network. Professor Jack Lee, an internationally recognized expert in the field answered several questions posed by Mr. Allen regarding network security. Upon asking Professor Lee to recommend a software package to identify security problems, Mr. Allen is informed that BeAlert got best ratings in a personal computer magazine. Professor Lee fails to mention that another product with fewer features but a much lower price was a 'best buy" rating by the same magazine. He also fails to mention that BeAlert is a product of a spin-off company in which he is a minor shareholder.

a) State four functions that professional codes of ethics serve.

b) Use the Alternative list of fundamental principles for an information technology related profession, to list principles that are relevant to the moral problem described above and determine if the action taken is ethical.