The Downfalls of Information Systems

It's not all happily ever after ...

Although there are many vast advantages to owning and operating a computer and using information systems, they also come with their downfalls. As discussed in Chapter 4 of the textbook, information technology can be misused to invade user's privacy and commit computer crimes. This can be done through the use of cookies, spyware and adware, phishing , etc. Computers also can be the cause of many privacy issues, especially this day and age with so many social networks and through the use of something called "internet tracking."

Referring to answers.com, internet tracking is "electronic passage through the Internet that leaves a trail can be traced or tracked. Tracking is a process that follows the Internet activity backwards, from the recipient to the user. As well, a user's Internet activity on web sites can also be tracked on the recipient site (i.e., what sites are visited and how often). Sometimes this tracking and tracing ability is used to generate email to the user promoting a product that is related to the sites visited." Tracking is also used extensively by the U.S government to enable authorities to pursue and identify those responsible for malicious Internet activity. For example, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation has a tracking program designated Carnivore. The program is capable of scanning thousands of emails to identify those that meet the search criteria.

Cookies

One of the most used tracking tools on the internet is through the use of cookies. Cookies are computer files that are stored on a user's computer during a visit to a website. The cookie is a tracking device, which records the electronic movements made by the user at the site, as well as identifiers such as a username and password. According to the book, "sometimes cookies are useful or innocuous, such as those used by the Web page that welcomes you or those used by a Web site that remembers your personal information for online ordering." Therefore, you should not immediately be alarmed at every cookie found on your computer.


Spyware and Adware

Spyware is a software that secretly gathers information about users while they browse the Web. This software can be particularly malicious to a computer as it can interfere with user's control of their computers by installing additional software and redirecting Web browsers. Some spyware even changes computer settings, resulting in slow Internet connections, changes to user's default home pages, and loss of functions in other programs. Adware is a form of spyware that collects information about the user, without the user's consent, to display advertisements in the web browser based on the information it collects from the user's browsing patterns. THE SOLUTION:Extremely good antivirus software.


Phishing

Phishing is sending fraudulent emails that seem to come from legitimate sources, such as a bank or university, for the purpose of capturing private information, such as bank accoutn numbers or Social Security numbers.


All of this has caused many privacy issues for the Internet...but what about when it's used by an employer?

Although all of the aforementioned examples of invasion of privacy are usually from unknown third parties, information technologies have also created some concerns about privacy in the workplace. Nowadays, a lot of employers search social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, to find background information on applicants, which then influences hiring decisions. Since information posted on these sites in considered public domain, you should really be careful what you're posting on your facebook and on twitter statuses. The book gives an example of a student at Millersville University of Pennsylvania who posted a picture of herself on Myspace wearing a pirate's hat and drinking titled "Drunken Pirate." Even though the student was of legal age to drink, Millersville administrators considered the image unprofessional and refused to grant her an education degree and teaching certificate. Instead, she was given a degree in English. So before you post that status on facebook saying "Going to get wrecked with blah blah and bleh bleh!" make sure you know who you're friends with and who can view your profile.


Computers and the Internet are an essential part of life in today's world. However, they have raised many privacy concerns that did not exist just ten years ago. Remember to use even just the basic protection when surfing the Internet and posting on social networking sites.