We are coming to the end
of our semester and I want to reiterate some of the important information I
posted in previous blogs. Remember technology is here to stay and we need
to pay attention to the laws being passed so that our freedoms are not being
jeopardized.
Look for ways that you, as a user, can protect your
privacy, but be careful of the apps, especially free apps that claim they will
protect you. Do your research on the companies or individuals designing
these programs. If we are to enjoy the technology available to us, each
of us needs to do our part to protect each other. Take the time to create
a unique password for all of your accounts and not have one for all.
Change them often, especially if one has been shared, even with a friend.
Not that you can’t trust them, it’s to protect yourself. Keep your
programs updated, there are patches in them that can keep hackers out.
Have a good antivirus program. Only visit sites that are secured,
remember https sites the ‘s’ on the end stands for secure. There
is an add-on that will safeguard you and tries to direct you to an https site
called HTTPS Everywhere. You can download and install this free
add-on at https://eff.org/https-everywhere for Chrome, Firefox, and Firefox for Android
and Opera.
Make sure to familiarize
yourself with the types of viruses and the devastation they can cause
businesses and YOU!! Computer viruses are capable of attaching themselves
to disks or files. Viruses can replicate themselves destroying data on
any device. They can be disguised as a legitimate program, email, or even
a message from a friend. They can be worms, horses, bombs, emails, or
even drive bys. Sometimes they even pop up as a legit security program a
company wants you to buy, saying you have a bunch of infected files on your
computer. Just be careful what you download and do research from a
company before you download from the Internet. These viruses and the
delivery methods used not only affect our computers but can affect all of the
devices we have even your web connected printer.
Watch for the laws that
are being presented and do what you can to help keep our private information
just that, private. We want to enjoy the technology that is available to
us without having to worry about who is collecting our information and what
they might do with it. Remember when I said ; there are those who say if
you are not doing anything wrong, why does it matter? If a peeping tom is
looking at you through a window and you are not doing anything wrong, does it
matter? Pretty creepy! It is not the collection of the information that is a
problem; it is what’s done with that information, and how it is interpreted.
All citizens in America deserve to be safe, but law abiding citizens should be
able to know, the information they provide companies, stays private.
It’s up to you to ensure that the laws that are being reformed
eliminate inconsistency in interpretation.
With new technology and
different methods of obtaining information on civilians, the means of
interpreting these aging laws are left in the hands of the courts. The laws need
reforms reflecting the new technology to eliminate inconsistency in
interpretation. Laws need to reflect the rapid changes in technology.
New technology has
brought us a long way in just a short period of time. Make sure you
are safe out there with all of it and let’s enjoy the ride.
Posted By: Jeff
Trangsrud
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