Journal 3, May 31

National Cyber Security

Technology is getting more sophisticated every day and its creators are equally as wise. With the creation of new technology, there are people out there who are figuring out ways to attack other countries and people just as quick. I am referring to cyberspace. Cyberspace opens the doors for highly intelligent people, of our country and foreign, to gain access to our Nation’s most prized secrets and networks. Criminals have figured out ways to jam particular administrative and government networks, as well as traffic grids and airport security. As the technology sector grows, cyber warfare becomes as greater concern for our top ranked political leaders and security professionals. Just last week, President Obama announced his concerns to this topic. He claims our greatest worries would be China and Russia for they have developed technologies that have the capability of blocking sensors for aircraft radar along with traffic grids and internet networks. Obama also brought to light that his website was actually hacked into during his presidential campaign. Many people, however, fear by the government using such high-technologically based policies, the opportunity would arise for them to intrude the private sector of the States and use these techniques to interfere with citizens personal lives. The Obama administration replied that they respect the private lives of the people and they will be not be bothered. The purpose of this policy is to safeguard the United States from a cyber attack as well as to “ensure the ‘freedom of action in cyberspace’ to protect America’s interest” (www.yahoo.com).

It is about time America takes the cyber world seriously. With today’s rapid advances in technology and everything else it uses and produces, it is extremely evident this world in soon to be, if not already, heavily based on technology. I personally feel implementing cyberspace policies to safeguard American citizens is an extraordinary measure that must be executed properly. With our traffic grids and aircraft controls solely geared around high-tech devices, it would not take much to send the country into frenzy. Gaining control of the cyber world, for us, will be a critical step in maintaining our power but more importantly our freedom.

Article Used:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090530/pl_afp/usitobamacomputercybersecuritymilitary

Additional References:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/30/cyber-security-strategy-unveiled/?page=2

Journal 2, May 31

Learing By Way of The Internet

There was an interesting article that caught my eye as I browsed msnbc.com earlier today. This article title read “Toddler buys earthmover in online auction.” The reason I chose this article was because I thought it went well with all of the controversy out there in regards to children using the internet, an increasing learning tool and technology dependence. Supposedly, the mother of the toddler was using the internet earlier to bid on toys for the young child. She accidentally left the screen up and went to bed. The toddler then got on the computer and began messing around as any other child would do. In doing so, he accidentally clicked the mouse a few times and actually purchased an earthmover in New Zealand for about $12000. When checking her email the following day, the mother realized the mishap and was able to correct the situation.
Children today are very observant and eager to learn. They closely watch the adults and try to mirror their actions without knowing the appropriate time to do so or reasoning behind their actions. Internet is increasingly becoming a huge learning tool for children as well as within the technology industry. It is the root of most technology providing vital information to all types of people in various fields of study and interest. You can access essentially anything you want with a few clicks of the mouse. With that said, it is highly important to monitor your children during their interactions with the internet and similar forms of technology.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children’s website (http://www.naeyc.org) brings up a few good points on this topic. First, they state that seeing how children are taught their addresses, phone number, etc. at such an early age, they must also be taught when and where to provide that private information. Children browsing the internet daily and exploring new worlds are especially prone to exploiting their information on the wrong site simply because they may not be educated quiet enough to know which sites are safe and which could potentially bring harm upon them.
In the case of the toddler purchasing the earthmover, I feel the mother is obviously at fault and this is a great example of how children must be actively monitored when using the internet and other forms of new technology. Since technology changes almost everyday with bigger and brighter ideas, it is harder to educate such a young child on everything. For this reason, it is especially important to make sure they understand the basics of technology, such as the internet, to ensure they remain safe or at least as far from harm as possible. Having the proper knowledge of past and recent technology gives the child a leg up when entering the real world and given the opportunity to explore bigger and better forms of these technologies to come.

Article Used:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30885324/

Additional References:
http://www.naeyc.org/ece/1998/18.asp

Journal 1, May 31

Are You Prone to Data Theives?

In today’s day and age, people have become extremely reliant on the technology they possess. This reliance creates a more vulnerable state for which they are to live in. Meaning, there are people out there who can hack into your personal devices, whether it’s a laptop or smart phone, and retrieve all your most prized data. An article published on CNN.com, entitled “How to safeguard your data as you travel,” speaks on ways in which one can protect themselves from having their information stolen or breached. Many people use “hotspots” located in local diners, airports, and other high traffic areas in order to check personal accounts and business related issues. By doing this, some believe you could be putting yourself at risk by being connected to the same network at someone who may be seeking to gain the data on your personal device. Others believe that if someone wants it bad enough, there is absolutely no way to avoid this situation. Professionals familiar with the subject claim that by encrypting your computer or smart phone with a password you can dramatically reduce the risk to which you are exposed to when using a public internet access. It is also highly recommended that you use a screen protector on your laptop to prevent others from looking at your screen as well as keeping a close eye on your belongings. However, like I previously mentioned, if someone wants your information bad enough, they will find away to obtain it.

I personally think that people should not live in fear of their information being stolen. What’s going to happen will, in fact, happen. However, by taking the necessary precautions, you can reduce the risk you are exposed to tremendously. This may mean saving highly confidential data on a highly secured network or even a personal USB. A majority of companies that constantly work with confidential information on a daily basis, such as large corporations, have adopted multiple software and security programs to ensure their clients information is safe as does not get leaked or spread throughout the public. According to infoworld.com, (http://www.infoworld.com/d/security-central/guard-your-data-against-insider-threats-145) these companies have programs that can actually detect when one of their operating software is inappropriately used or sketchy information is saved to a USB. Programs like these ensure that information is kept where it is suppose to be and moved only to places it is needed for honest business use and not fraudulent activities. With that said, I am a strong advocate for properly securing your personal information as well as any information a company may withhold in order to fully minimize the risk one faces everyday by using any high-tech device.

-Jon Ferrer

Article used:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/business.travel/05/28/computer.security/index.html

Additional References:
http://www.infoworld.com/d/security-central/guard-your-data-against-insider-threats-145