Institutions of higher education in the United States are making use of educational communication networks, such as the National Science Foundation's INTERNET system, to enhance research and learning. Such information networks are used to exchange information electronically, and exist not only in the United States, but also in other countries. Privacy and equal access to information are ethical issues that must be considered by those who govern and use computer networks. Security is also necessary to keep data from being erased, changed, plagiarized, or destroyed. The well-publicized damage to INTERNET in 1986 involved breaches of security in university, military, research and development laboratory, and commercial computers. In 1988, INTERNET was again the target, this time of a computer virus planted by a Cornell University (New York) student. Whether networks are used simply for electronic mail purposes, for academic library services, or for international cooperative networks, security, privacy, and equality of access are the major issues to be considered. (33 references) (DB)