I noticed the image posted to my blog on 4/17/11 is not showing up here is another link for it, hopefully it works..
http://www.magdawalczak.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/internet-addiction.jpg
Monday, April 18, 2011
Anonymous
http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/12611/1/Reasons-Behind-Internet-Addiction.html
Initially I set out to discover some of the main reasons for Internet addiction, and despite the title of this article it does not really provide any. Instead, it provides on reason as to why Internet addictions is so COMMON.
Is it true that the only thing separating the realms of online and offline, is the same reason people develop an Internet addiction? According to the above article the idea of being anonymous is what makes Internet addiction so popular, and it is also the one factor that distinguishes between online and offline communities. Do you agree with this article's claims, could the idea of being anonymous really hold that much control/power?
Initially I set out to discover some of the main reasons for Internet addiction, and despite the title of this article it does not really provide any. Instead, it provides on reason as to why Internet addictions is so COMMON.
Is it true that the only thing separating the realms of online and offline, is the same reason people develop an Internet addiction? According to the above article the idea of being anonymous is what makes Internet addiction so popular, and it is also the one factor that distinguishes between online and offline communities. Do you agree with this article's claims, could the idea of being anonymous really hold that much control/power?
Sunday, April 17, 2011
What an Internet Addict Meeting Might Look Like...
I found this cartoon of what an Internet Addiction Anonymous meeting might look like, I thought it was pretty unique and humorous. What do you guys think about this illustration?
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Addiction is Addiction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrlD3yh8bDE
This news clip with Katie Couric gives insight into why Internet addiction is the same as any other addiction, just as we briefly discussed in class. I too strongly believe there is no difference between Internet addiction and any other addiction, it is equally as threatening as a drug or alcohol addiction could be. If anything, Internet addiction might be more dangerous because the Internet is so easily accessible, especially with the popularity of smart phones. No one is safe from Internet Addiction, kids are just as susceptible as adults. Do you agree that Internet addiction is the same as any other addiction? Or do you believe there is a distinct difference? Are there any addictions you can think of that are less harmful than others?
This news clip with Katie Couric gives insight into why Internet addiction is the same as any other addiction, just as we briefly discussed in class. I too strongly believe there is no difference between Internet addiction and any other addiction, it is equally as threatening as a drug or alcohol addiction could be. If anything, Internet addiction might be more dangerous because the Internet is so easily accessible, especially with the popularity of smart phones. No one is safe from Internet Addiction, kids are just as susceptible as adults. Do you agree that Internet addiction is the same as any other addiction? Or do you believe there is a distinct difference? Are there any addictions you can think of that are less harmful than others?
Friday, April 8, 2011
Invasion of Privacy
This image says a lot about Internet privacy today. To me it expresses the idea that you open yourself up to everyone on the Internet, and anyone can take your "stuff" (identity, personal info, etc.) What do you guys think of when you see this image?
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Monitoring Internet Traffic
After thinking more about the case of the public school that was caught watching students on their webcams, I started to consider the right universities have to monitor all traffic on their Internet connection. This is a topic that affects us, since we have all at some point used Lehigh's Internet, whether it be in your dorm, library, classroom, etc. If you are connected to a universities' Internet or using their computers, you better believe they are watching every move you make. Anything you say, buy, websites you visit, downloads, and so on, is tracked and can be used against you at any given time. Personally, I know several people who have been caught illegally downloading music by Lehigh University and have been contacted via email, advising them to stop all activity related or legal action would be taken. Clearly, monitoring activity on the Internet is an area that Lehigh takes seriously, and holds no margin for error. Once caught do something inappropriate on the Internet by a university once, it is likely that you will be on their radar for a while. Some people believe that universities taking action and monitoring Internet traffic is an invasion of privacy, but the fact of the matter is they have every right to do so in accordance with the Patriot Act. The bottom line is, if you do not want to the university keeping track of your online activity, then do not use their Internet.
How do you feel about your personal online conversations, maybe purchases you make online, or any of your online actions not being private?
How do you feel about your personal online conversations, maybe purchases you make online, or any of your online actions not being private?
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Someone's Watching You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBnud2lPIuk
YOU MUST WATCH THIS VIDEO!!
This is so not okay. A public school remotely turned on the webcam of a school issued laptop and watched a boy in the privacy of his on home. The school admitted to turning on various students' webcams 40 times, and they claim it was for security reasons. What security reasons would that be when students are at home? Once students leave school property, I do not think they have the right to be monitoring/watching students activity in their home; regardless, if it is via a school issued laptop. This story reminds me of an episode of Criminal Minds, called Revelations, where a serial killer watched his victims on the Internet via their webcams. In order to gain access to the victims' computers he would call them and pretend to be an IT guy. Not only would he get the necessary codes to hack into the peoples computers, but he would also get all their personal information (i.e. home address). The serial killer used the webcams to watch the victims, and plan accordingly as to when the best time to show up at their home and kill them was. He watched them sleep, change, even caught them inappropriate acts (which is how he justified killing some of them). After seeing that episode I started to keep a post it over my webcam because now I'm paranoid that someone could be watching me, and that is just an extremely unsettling and creepy thought.
YOU MUST WATCH THIS VIDEO!!
This is so not okay. A public school remotely turned on the webcam of a school issued laptop and watched a boy in the privacy of his on home. The school admitted to turning on various students' webcams 40 times, and they claim it was for security reasons. What security reasons would that be when students are at home? Once students leave school property, I do not think they have the right to be monitoring/watching students activity in their home; regardless, if it is via a school issued laptop. This story reminds me of an episode of Criminal Minds, called Revelations, where a serial killer watched his victims on the Internet via their webcams. In order to gain access to the victims' computers he would call them and pretend to be an IT guy. Not only would he get the necessary codes to hack into the peoples computers, but he would also get all their personal information (i.e. home address). The serial killer used the webcams to watch the victims, and plan accordingly as to when the best time to show up at their home and kill them was. He watched them sleep, change, even caught them inappropriate acts (which is how he justified killing some of them). After seeing that episode I started to keep a post it over my webcam because now I'm paranoid that someone could be watching me, and that is just an extremely unsettling and creepy thought.
Friday, April 1, 2011
When does technology become too much?
Google Maps Street View
Google Street View has cars that drive around neighborhoods and take photos, that are later compiled and translated into a 360 degree view of a specific street. Above is a link to Google Street View, it's a really cool concept and interesting to play around with the site. When it was first launched in 2007 it included a few major cities in the United States, but now you can use Google Street View to see and place in the world, you can even tour historic monuments like the Colosseum in Rome. Google Street View is so specific and intricate that it has many people worried that it is an invasion of privacy. Some pictures that are taken have captured residents of a home in an unflattering way, some you can see right into people's houses and others show homeowners vehicles and license plate details. Just as much as this Google feature can be helpful, it can also be very dangerous when it gets into the wrong hands (just like any feature of the Internet). There was an article published by the Sunday Times (attached below), when Google first launched this feature and it expressed the concerns of many people at its start. Now, Google Street View has only become more detailed, and potentially more harmful since it is spread throughout the world. Go ahead, search your house it's very creepy!!!!!
Sunday Times Article
Google Street View has cars that drive around neighborhoods and take photos, that are later compiled and translated into a 360 degree view of a specific street. Above is a link to Google Street View, it's a really cool concept and interesting to play around with the site. When it was first launched in 2007 it included a few major cities in the United States, but now you can use Google Street View to see and place in the world, you can even tour historic monuments like the Colosseum in Rome. Google Street View is so specific and intricate that it has many people worried that it is an invasion of privacy. Some pictures that are taken have captured residents of a home in an unflattering way, some you can see right into people's houses and others show homeowners vehicles and license plate details. Just as much as this Google feature can be helpful, it can also be very dangerous when it gets into the wrong hands (just like any feature of the Internet). There was an article published by the Sunday Times (attached below), when Google first launched this feature and it expressed the concerns of many people at its start. Now, Google Street View has only become more detailed, and potentially more harmful since it is spread throughout the world. Go ahead, search your house it's very creepy!!!!!
Sunday Times Article
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Phineas and Ferb PSA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4Qd1WVRctc
Going along with the same theme of privacy I came across a clip that airs on the Disney Channel (link above). It uses characters from a popular cartoon to help illustrate the dangers of the Internet and important ways to help protect privacy. I think this is a great way to appeal to a younger generation on this topic and I also think Disney channel is doing the right thing by taking the initiative to educate their viewers. They get their point across in a very strategic and effective way, the is clip fun and light-hearted; yet, it conveys an important message. By using characters viewers are familiar with and love it helps them relate to the topic and it is more likely that they will pay attention to the clip. If people are aware of the risk they take with their privacy when it comes to the Internet from a younger age, then it is more likely that they will be able to monitor and keep their privacy throughout their lives.
Going along with the same theme of privacy I came across a clip that airs on the Disney Channel (link above). It uses characters from a popular cartoon to help illustrate the dangers of the Internet and important ways to help protect privacy. I think this is a great way to appeal to a younger generation on this topic and I also think Disney channel is doing the right thing by taking the initiative to educate their viewers. They get their point across in a very strategic and effective way, the is clip fun and light-hearted; yet, it conveys an important message. By using characters viewers are familiar with and love it helps them relate to the topic and it is more likely that they will pay attention to the clip. If people are aware of the risk they take with their privacy when it comes to the Internet from a younger age, then it is more likely that they will be able to monitor and keep their privacy throughout their lives.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Protecting Your Online Privacy
After much discussion in this class about privacy I thought it would be interesting to look up some ways to enhance one's opportunity to maintain their privacy. After reading a bunch of articles I discovered that most are very pessimistic about privacy online still being an option. Their claims are basically that technology is moving too fast and there is a rapid increase in privacy exploitation on the Internet. Although, this may be true I believe that it is never too late to protect yourself. The Electronic Frontier Foundation posted an article with 12 basic ways to help protect Internet users' privacy.
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/10/22/10-ways-to-protect-your-privacy-online.html
I think the most important is number 11 which says, "Remember that YOU decide what information about yourself to reveal, when, why, and to whom." This step is the easiest of them all and gives online users all the power necessary to ensure their safety. In the end it is all up to each individual online user if they would like to take the time to maintain their privacy and stay educated on the topic of online privacy. It is also up to those with knowledge of online privacy to spread the word.
What does everyone else think about being able to preserve your privacy? Is it too late?
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/10/22/10-ways-to-protect-your-privacy-online.html
I think the most important is number 11 which says, "Remember that YOU decide what information about yourself to reveal, when, why, and to whom." This step is the easiest of them all and gives online users all the power necessary to ensure their safety. In the end it is all up to each individual online user if they would like to take the time to maintain their privacy and stay educated on the topic of online privacy. It is also up to those with knowledge of online privacy to spread the word.
What does everyone else think about being able to preserve your privacy? Is it too late?
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