Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Blog Post #4 COM 305
The Article I chose to write about for the final blog post is titled “Facebook Tracking is Under Scrutiny,” and it discusses the controversial way in which Facebook tracks their users’ internet activity. Facebook has recently been involved in an ongoing debate with the Federal Trade Commission over the collection of data on Facebook users. When a user creates a Facebook account, the company automatically installs a browser cookie that tracks which sites users’ visit, for how long they view the site, and any other unique activity. Facebook is still able to track activity even when users are not logged in, and is even able to track non-Facebook users if a Facebook page is pulled up at any point during a browsing session. Facebook claims that this helps them regulate fake accounts and scams, and helps improve users’ displays by supplying content that actually interests them.
These practices implemented by Facebook, which are similar to that of other major sites including Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, and others, have sparked a heated debate. Privacy advocates believe users should have an option to block corporations from tracking internet activity, while advertisers support the practice, for it allows them to learn more about consumers preferences, which allows them to target people more accurately, which in turn generates higher revenue.
In my opinion, I can understand why people would not want their browsing history sold to advertisers. People may not like the idea that others are able to gain insight into the way they spend their time online. However, I feel that in this day in age, the fact that the technology even exists makes in inevitable that corporations will sell browsing histories to advertisers. Advertisers are always looking to improve the ways in which they target consumers, and if they are willing to pay in large enough numbers, I don’t see why Facebook would have any desire to do away with this practice.
Also, in most cases I don’t feel that tracking browsing history for the purpose of ad targeting is such a bad thing. This might be different if it were the government or any organization were collecting browsing data and selling it to other individuals for the purpose of spying and finding out personal facts. In this case information is being sold to advertisers who have no interest in your business personally, only your business as a customer, and whom consumers will never have to encounter first hand. In my personal experience on Facebook, there have been many times that an ad has popped up on my page that I was genuinely interested in. I have found new online clothes shopping sites, and useful coupons. I have personally benefited from a substantial number of the ads that appear on my Facebook page, so for that reason, I am ok with Facebook selling my browsing history to advertisers.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Blog Post #3 COM 305
Blog Post #3: Conflict in the digital age
The article I chose to write about for this post deals with China’s response to a U.S. report claiming that China is using cyber espionage to steal U.S. trade secrets in order to enhance their own development as a nation. The report, released to congress on Thursday, November 3 2011 was done by the Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive, which is a government agency. It claims that U.S. corporations have reported intrusions into their networks that had originated in China, but also acknowledges the fact that the intelligence department cannot confirm exactly who is behind these attacks. China dismissed these statements by inferring that the U.S. allegations are “unprofessional and irresponsible” by identifying the attackers before carrying out a more in-depth investigation.
There have been a long history of reports in this nation that have strongly suggested the fact that China is one of the worlds’ biggest perpetrators of malicious cyber-espionage and computer hacking. According to Search Engine Watch, in January of 2010, Google announced that it was hit with a cyber-attack that had originated in China that resulted in the theft of intellectual property. According to the Guardian, a United Kingdom news site, in August of this year, a Chinese State Broadcaster screened footage that showed army-labeled software designed for attacking United States-based websites. The U.S. isn’t the only victim of Chinese cyber-attacks. According to Tony Glover of the National Conversation, in February of this year, McAffe, a U.S. security company, detected a number of cyber-attacks on global oil, petrochemical, and energy companies that had been occurring since November of 2009. Countries in the Middle East were the primary targets of the attacks which have become known as “Night Dragon.”
The report released on Tuesday, in my opinion, further confirms the fact the China is launching an alarmingly high number of cyber-attacks on the U.S., and on other nations around the world. China’s communist government, their extreme human rights violations and other factors have created tense relations between the U.S. and Chinese governments. From the secret build-up of the Chinese military, to these strong allegations of extensive cyber-attacks, the actions of the Chinese government are far from transparent. In my opinion, the response of the Chinese government to the report should only raise further suspicions. The report that was released did include extensive research, and was supported by strong evidence. The fact that the Chinese were so quick to dismiss the allegations, which were credible, goes to show this is not a topic they wish to discuss. If what China says is true, and they are not responsible for these attacks, it would be in their best interest to make a stronger effort to prove the allegations to be false, rather than just saying that they are false.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Blog Post #2 COM 305
http://www.wbaltv.com/r/29319470/detail.html
The Digital Divide is the term that refers to the gap between the members of society who have access to the internet and other communication technologies, and those who do not. In today’s world, access to the internet is vital in everything from keeping up with school work, to connecting with employers and business partners. The digital divide poses a serious problem, those member of society who do not have access to the internet are being left behind by those who do, further securing their position in poverty.
There are two areas of the digital divide, the first being the Global Divide. The Global Divide is the divide between technology uses in different areas of the planet. The second area, the Social Divide, is the divide between technology use of the citizens of a single nation, and the area that my article is concerned with.
Throughout the years, various attempts have been made to bridge the social divide that exists in the United States. In this article, Comcast, a major internet service provider, announced plans to help 250 Maryland families bridge the digital divide. Comcast is offering a program that will make internet service available to these families for a new low cost of just $9.95 per month. They are also offering computers for $149 to Maryland families who have a child eligible for school lunches.
Although this plan is a solid step in the right direction, I feel that it is going to take a lot more than this to make a noticeable impact on the digital divide that exists in Maryland. As discussed in the article, there is a serious shortage of fiber optic, or FIOS in Baltimore City. FIOS in the newer internet technology that offers faster speed and superior quality compared to the old technology. It is clear that there is an enormous gap existing in this area, due largely to the fact that there in a high poverty level in Baltimore City, in 2009 21% of Baltimore City residents were living below the poverty level compared to 9.1% statewide, according to city-data.com.
If the digital divide is going to be closed in Maryland, particularly in Baltimore City, it is going to take a lot more than 250 families being offered discounted prices. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the 2011 poverty guidelines for a family of four are $22,350 a year. Considering that this figure amounts to $5,588 per person per year, which affords someone about $15 to live on per day, not even accounting for the fact that many people in poverty have even less than this, $149 is a lot of money to come up with for a computer, and an extra $9.95 per month would easily be a struggle.
As discussed in class, bridging this gap will also require an aggressive increase in FIOS technology, and the implementation of educational programs in order to teach people how to properly utilize the technology. Although this program is a start, the bottom line is there is a need for many more similar programs. Also, there is a need for programs that donate computers, rather than simply offering them at a discounted price. Maryland, along with the rest of the states in this nation have a lot of work to be done before it can be said that there is no social divide in the United States. Hopefully the continuation of programs aimed at closing the gap will allow for more and more "have-nots" to become "haves."
The Digital Divide is the term that refers to the gap between the members of society who have access to the internet and other communication technologies, and those who do not. In today’s world, access to the internet is vital in everything from keeping up with school work, to connecting with employers and business partners. The digital divide poses a serious problem, those member of society who do not have access to the internet are being left behind by those who do, further securing their position in poverty.
There are two areas of the digital divide, the first being the Global Divide. The Global Divide is the divide between technology uses in different areas of the planet. The second area, the Social Divide, is the divide between technology use of the citizens of a single nation, and the area that my article is concerned with.
Throughout the years, various attempts have been made to bridge the social divide that exists in the United States. In this article, Comcast, a major internet service provider, announced plans to help 250 Maryland families bridge the digital divide. Comcast is offering a program that will make internet service available to these families for a new low cost of just $9.95 per month. They are also offering computers for $149 to Maryland families who have a child eligible for school lunches.
Although this plan is a solid step in the right direction, I feel that it is going to take a lot more than this to make a noticeable impact on the digital divide that exists in Maryland. As discussed in the article, there is a serious shortage of fiber optic, or FIOS in Baltimore City. FIOS in the newer internet technology that offers faster speed and superior quality compared to the old technology. It is clear that there is an enormous gap existing in this area, due largely to the fact that there in a high poverty level in Baltimore City, in 2009 21% of Baltimore City residents were living below the poverty level compared to 9.1% statewide, according to city-data.com.
If the digital divide is going to be closed in Maryland, particularly in Baltimore City, it is going to take a lot more than 250 families being offered discounted prices. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the 2011 poverty guidelines for a family of four are $22,350 a year. Considering that this figure amounts to $5,588 per person per year, which affords someone about $15 to live on per day, not even accounting for the fact that many people in poverty have even less than this, $149 is a lot of money to come up with for a computer, and an extra $9.95 per month would easily be a struggle.
As discussed in class, bridging this gap will also require an aggressive increase in FIOS technology, and the implementation of educational programs in order to teach people how to properly utilize the technology. Although this program is a start, the bottom line is there is a need for many more similar programs. Also, there is a need for programs that donate computers, rather than simply offering them at a discounted price. Maryland, along with the rest of the states in this nation have a lot of work to be done before it can be said that there is no social divide in the United States. Hopefully the continuation of programs aimed at closing the gap will allow for more and more "have-nots" to become "haves."
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Blog Post #1 COM 305
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/business/online-id-verification-plan-carries-risks.html
The article "Call it Your Online Drivers License” discusses the White House initiative called the “National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace.” This plan seeks to promote business online by providing heightened security and easing the minds of those who feel they have an increased risk of identity theft through activity online. This plan would provide consumers with the option of choosing a third-party, such as banks, or cell phone providers, to verify their identities instead of simply using a password.
In my opinion, the basic premise behind this plan would be a driving force that would increase the amount of business that takes place online. People who are wary about online identity theft would likely have more piece of mind while online knowing that their identities were protected by reliable third-party corporations. Having a password or two that apply to email, social networking, and banking accounts can indeed be risky. This plan would help do away with the risks that come along with insecure passwords.
Although many people would easily see the positives of this plan, I do not feel that it would appeal to everyone on the internet. This plan promotes a more secure online community, where people really are who they say they are online. If this plan were to go into action and become the dominant online security measure as the government is advocating, this will give people less opportunity to be someone they aren’t online, an idea that might not sit well with all internet users.
As discussed in class, virtual identities, or identities portrayed online through what one says about themselves online and their online activity, are often used as an emancipatory outlets. People often create virtual identities because they are able to reach a large audiences and are often able to find people who will give them positive feedback, thus improving their self-esteem. The increased notion that online activity must be strictly monitored by requiring people to prove who they are could be a disappointment to those seeking a virtual identity.
Not only would this be problematic to those looking for a liberating experience online, it also raises new questions about online security. With so many people trusting their personal information with a select few corporations, these would naturally become obvious targets of internet hackers. It also raises the issue of whether identity verifiers would try selling customer data. If the plan is implemented, I think the initial response would be positive, however I think that it would lead to a more complicated future for the internet, welcoming a slew of new security issues that would threaten peoples online identity at even greater levels.
The article "Call it Your Online Drivers License” discusses the White House initiative called the “National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace.” This plan seeks to promote business online by providing heightened security and easing the minds of those who feel they have an increased risk of identity theft through activity online. This plan would provide consumers with the option of choosing a third-party, such as banks, or cell phone providers, to verify their identities instead of simply using a password.
In my opinion, the basic premise behind this plan would be a driving force that would increase the amount of business that takes place online. People who are wary about online identity theft would likely have more piece of mind while online knowing that their identities were protected by reliable third-party corporations. Having a password or two that apply to email, social networking, and banking accounts can indeed be risky. This plan would help do away with the risks that come along with insecure passwords.
Although many people would easily see the positives of this plan, I do not feel that it would appeal to everyone on the internet. This plan promotes a more secure online community, where people really are who they say they are online. If this plan were to go into action and become the dominant online security measure as the government is advocating, this will give people less opportunity to be someone they aren’t online, an idea that might not sit well with all internet users.
As discussed in class, virtual identities, or identities portrayed online through what one says about themselves online and their online activity, are often used as an emancipatory outlets. People often create virtual identities because they are able to reach a large audiences and are often able to find people who will give them positive feedback, thus improving their self-esteem. The increased notion that online activity must be strictly monitored by requiring people to prove who they are could be a disappointment to those seeking a virtual identity.
Not only would this be problematic to those looking for a liberating experience online, it also raises new questions about online security. With so many people trusting their personal information with a select few corporations, these would naturally become obvious targets of internet hackers. It also raises the issue of whether identity verifiers would try selling customer data. If the plan is implemented, I think the initial response would be positive, however I think that it would lead to a more complicated future for the internet, welcoming a slew of new security issues that would threaten peoples online identity at even greater levels.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
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