The Online 'Suraag'
‘I hate the chief of my company’ this tweet on twitter will not only set the twitterati ablaze but also can set your life on ablaze. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn are not mere social networking sites, but are digital scrapbooks.
Gone are the days, when one could write, erase or just burn typewritten documents. Something which is ‘online’ will remain ‘online’. The main attraction of privacy and barrier free communication of social media has resulted in more social information. Online space is presumed to be private and ethereal. But our communications are public and forever. Despite of the privacy settings, one of your close frenemies can email or print screen your objectionable or embarrassing content.
The experience of being at one’s computer, mobile feels so private that we easily forget our true circumstance: with every connection we leave on electronic trace. We give off so much information online, which can lead to severe consequences in future. For example, a significant number of fake accounts have been utilized by bots and cyborgs who try to mimic human users in order to distribute spam on Twitter to spread false influence and opinions. In this ‘information is gold age’, fake accounts are sold online for a price anything from 30 to 1,000$ (Thomas, 2013).
Research on the psychology of security showed that security mechanisms are often difficult to understand for users and that users often fail to recognize risks. (Alshalan, 2008). Cybercrime may not be totally distant from conventional crime. For example, hacking at times was seen as analogous to burglary and digital piracy is equivalent to theft. For instance, males are more likely to become a victim but fear of crime is generally more prevalent among females (May, Rader, & Gooddrum, 2010)
The number of people regularly buying an antivirus software for laptops is considerably less, and even more lesser for smartphone users. There is a need to view computer scans equal to regular body health check ups.
"Don`t judge a book by it’s cover" is applicable in digital world as well. One should not approve friend requests, followers only by viewing photos of people online. Online Settings must be reviewed frequently.
World view: Cyber Security
There have been instances all over the world from the Arab spring to Middle Eastern uprising and others, wherein social media security has been comprised and misused the government. There is twofold need, one being extremely vigilant online behavior and an independent cyber police which can handle internal as
‘Awareness’ is the first step to have a safe digital experience. As internet is a globalized borderless world in itself. The government should make the cyber laws stringent and create alertness amongst citizens. Digital citizens must adhere to the norms to safeguard their online footprints. Hence, as rightly said limiting the technology usage and judicious usage of this new technological tool will prevent it from being a monster, otherwise I do foresee a new doctoral degree in universities called Doctorate in cyber-nomics!!
Online References
- www.evazangerle.at/wp-content/papercite-data/pdf/cybercrime14.pdf
- www.cybercrimejournal.com/yuijcc2014vol8issue1.pdf
- www.cis.aueb.gr/Publications/Security%20Project%202014.pdf