Although I am a huge technology user and use my computer on a daily basis there is one fear that perpetuates my thinking quite frequently and that is the threat of a virus. In only a couple short years the United States will be completely reliant on computers (if we are not already) and that scares me in many respects. Viruses have been around for forty years and seem to stay even, or in some cases ahead, of security measures that are created. Most people have at some point got to experience the destructive power of a computer virus. They can cause a loss of data and personal files and usually take a great deal of effort and expense to fix if they infiltrate a computer system. I have heard several times that hackers have been able to break into classified government files and computer systems so it does not seem far fetched that a virus could be installed in any system. At the school I work at there was a student suspended a couple years ago for hacking into the system and that caused quite a scare. Although I do not feel that society's reliance on computers would or should change, it is very important that proper security measures are taken. The government, businesses, school districts, and people with their private information need to take a great deal of care to ensure they have proper security and are protected against viruses. I also believe it is imperative that punishments for people who create and install these viruses need to be severe and well known to try and discourage people from doing it.
Potentially the greatest virus threat could come from an international source. Occasionally in the news there is a story of a hacker from a country like Nigeria or Russia who creates a virus or steals identities from someone and little can be done due to jurisdictional restrictions. With todays globalized world and increasing use of the internet worldwide, it is very important that the United Nations, or a similar organization, outlines some sort of international policy to deal with this threat.
Although I do not typically get too scared of the constant "threats" that society faces, I do believe that the security of computer systems around the world is something that cannot be taken lightly. The potential for a "super virus" or major system crash is something that we all need to be aware of and take proper precautions against.
I enjoyed reading your post on the idea of a "super-virus". One thought I currently have is if hacking and breaking in to systems (such as Wikileaks) is something that will benefit or hurt our society. While government military operations and secrets can be compromised, it forces more transparency from our government(and other countries),and levels the playing field of information for citizens.
ReplyDeleteA Tom Clancy doomsday scenario is definitely entertaining, but so was the thought of Anthrax and Avian Flu (or remember Killer Bees?). As computers evolve from our desktops to things that are with us at all times (or even integrated into our bodies) security will evolve with it.
People used to be terrified of using electronic credit cards online because they thought that identify theft would destroy their lives forever and drain their bank accounts. However, not many people today hesitate when entering that information to online stores. The guarantee from the financial institutions to cover fraud has reassured customers, and products have emerged to help prevent online theft. Even before the internet, identity theft could occur from somebody stealing your credit card statement in the mail......but I don't worry about it happening since the probability is so slow.
This is a debate and mindset that is worth discussing in more detail, but I think I'll end my comment thanking you for allowing me to think about this topic more than I have before!