CS 408-01 Assignment 8

http://abcnews.go.com/US/online-fundraising-raises-fast-money-boston-bombing-victims/story?id=19006787

            The article published above by ABC is a great example of the good side of this networked world we live in. The article sheds light on the recent tragedy that happened during the Boston Marathon. Although the recovery of the victims will be long and arduous, this article says how it "will not be without financial help as they recover." Organizations like the One Fund Boston and many others have started streamlining donations to all of the victims of the bombings in Boston. The internet has helped make it so easy and so fast for anyone in the world to help make a difference on this issue. It is stuff like this that brings me the chills. People can go online, and with the click of a mouse, unselfishly donate to victims they most likely do not even know. The instant reactions by sympathizers and outpouring of support has surpassed anyones greatest expectations. It goes without saying that stuff like this reflects all of the good that can come from our networked world.

http://www.news10.net/news/article/241008/339/Identity-theft-growing-costly-to-victims

           This article definitley displays a bad side of the internet that does not get talked about that much. This article talks about how the crime of identity theft has been continuously growing and is hurting a lot. We touched upon this subject in class, and how nowadays in the 'networked' world it is much easier to gain access to sensitive information. This article helps to explain this ugly side of our networked world; how criminals can use the internet to help steal sensitive information life credit card numbers. One scary statistic that the article points out is that credit card data theft has gone up 50% from 2005 to 2010. Consequently, "identity theft has become a big business." This is definitely one very scary aspect of the internet that is hard to avoid with all of the criminals out there. It is important that people be very careful with who and where they release their personal information to on the World Wide Web.


http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/23837-paul-ryan-intern-accused-of-internet-stalking/


          The article above truly represents the ugly side of the internet and the networked world that we live in. The article talks about one of Paul Ryans former interns, Adam Savader,who has been accused of cyberstalking. Although he has not been proven innocent or guilty, the concept behind what he is being charged with shows how ugly the internet can truly be. It seems like every day you hear about a new stalking case that is taking place on the internet. With all of the information that people leave exposed on the web, it is inevitable that criminals, pedophiles, and creeps will find a way to access that and take advantage of it. This is something that is not only legally wrong (like identity theft) but also, in my opinion, a complete moral abomination. It is people who commit crimes like this that do not deserve to be living in society with the rest of us. It is unfortunate that such terrible things can result from becoming a more connected world.

Cell Phones and Privacy

I think one legitimate use of a prepaid cell phone is to simply remain anonymous. Some people do not like having their name/information "out there" and would rather prefer to stay unknown. I think that it is the right of every citizen in this country to remain that privacy until they are proven (by a court of law) that they can not be trusted with such privacy (i.e. breaking laws, committing crimes). I don't think prepaid phones should be banned or controlled by law. There is absolutely nothing wrong with paying for a phone with cash in advance. There will ALWAYS be criminals in this world regardless of whether or not prepaid phones are available. If prepaid phones are eliminated then these criminals will simply find other ways to operate, they will not just call it quits all of the sudden because prepaid cell phones got banned. Also, banning these phones would be doing an injustice to the vast majority of legitimate, non-criminals who use these phones on a regular basis. Whether it be you want to be anonymous, you don't want to be entangled into a contract, or any other reason, prepaid cell phones should not be banned or controlled by the government.

Location Tracking

Location tracking seems to be a very tricky subject. When I first read the question, I thought it was preposterous. Allowing someone to have 24/7 surveillance over you? No thanks. After further thought I realized that for certain perameters it might actually be beneficial. I don't think anyone over the age of 5 should have a tracker on them, period. But, I believe that I would support a bill requiring children under 5 to have one. I feel as though you hear far, far too often about stories of missing children, kidnapped children, etc. I feel as though this location tracker would help to significantly reduce that. I don't think the cons are worse than the pros because kids at that age have little concept of privacy, let alone care about their privacy. Most kids that age are under the supervision of their parents/gaurdians/teachers for 99% (if not 100%) of the time anyways so I feel as though this wouldn't be too much different than what they are used to other than the fact that they are able to be tracked in the event of an emergency. Having a tracker at any point beyond that age I feel is an invsion of privacy.  Once you are past that age you start to develop responsibility skills, independency, and develop a sense of privacy that would otherwise be impeded on by having a tracker.

Living In a Networked World: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

CS-408 is an interesting class that relates to almost every person's (especially young students') everyday life. The internet, social media, and advanced technology has connected everyone in a way that could never have been foreseen 50 years ago. That being said, there are always new elements being added to our networked world each and everyday which gives us the opportunity to continuously learn and adapt to the changing environment around us. This is the first blog I have ever made, so wish me luck.