I'm sure by now many of you have seen your friends checking in on their facebook pages via their iphones. Some of you might have actually checked in too which is pretty cool and all. But lets slow down for just one second and think about it. You have posted pictures of your 1 bedroom/1 bath apartment on facebook, your address is posted on your page as is your class schedule, and where you work among other things. Lets say you then, I don't know, take a trip to the lovely tropical island Seychelles. You check in on your iphone is Amsterdam as you fly over. Now me the ever so clever crook that I am is sitting at my computer and i realize this (this is from my past life. I have changed my ways :-)) while sipping on a beverage. In the words of Stewie Griffin, "Victory is Mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Your 50 inch plasma tv, your money and valuable and even your puppy bubbles that Ashley is 304 was supposed to be watching for are all mine!!!!!
Technology is allowing us to do things we never thought possible. Last week I discussed the downsides as far as the impact on the employment of human beings. This week I'm going to talk about the potential for crime and mismanagement. Lets think just for a second about cyber crime. I'm sure by now you have gotten an email from a Nigerian Prince or Princess (I swear I don't know those people lol) whose dad was the king of somewhere but was assassinated for political reasons. He had so many millions that the family needs to move out of the country before corrupt bureaucrats get their hands on it and they want your help and bank account info in order to help in exchange for several millions. Not only is the person falling for this scam a greedy, blithering idiot, but it exposes the negative potential of IT advancements. As technology continues it advancements, many new uses emerge. Counters and remedies for loopholes are not dealt with until a problem is detected. The criminal mind is always looking for people and processes to exploit and that is visible in the area of the world wide web. Cybercrime continues to evolve as the technology evolves, while detection and prevention continues to trail 3-4 steps behind.
Are these acceptable and unavoidable consequences of IT development and advancement? By the way, if you are checking in via your Iphone, just beware of that creepy stalker person who is waiting in the bushes outside CTK because you checked in at mass instead of listening to the sermon. Shame on you!!!!!!!
I think a big problem is the technology changes so fast, it's getting more and more complicated to keep up with. I think it is our responsibility to make sure we are using it correctly and keeping up with the changes. Why should somebody post all their personal information on Facebook for the whole world to see, that is not being responsible. Maybe it's just me, but I hate having my picture on my profile among other things. I like to keep control, but those who don't keep control risk exposing themselves to problems.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it would be interesting to see if someone could sue Facebook for aiding and abetting in the scenario you painted about the robbery. It was Facebook the opened the door for the information. Just a random thought. Then again I am sure they have taken the steps to protect themselves.
I am also amazed at how much information is given freely through mediums such as Facebook and Twitter. One of my tiger team leaders shared this link with me: the top 6 things you should never reveal on facebook.
ReplyDeletehttp://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/110674/6-things-you-should-never-reveal-on-facebook
"There may be a better way to say "Rob me, please" than posting something along the lines of: "Count-down to Maui! Two days and Ritz Carlton, here we come!" on Twitter. But it's hard to think of one."
@Anthony
It is sad that I'm sure someone has tried to sue Facebook over something like this but, to my knowledge, it has never been successful. But, no Facebook wouldn't be responsible because it is simply a venue for people to communicate.