The Internet is still relatively new, and with that the problems that it presents are also. The law is still working to catch up with the speed of technology. The three branches of our government have yet to agree on the Internet’s pitfalls and potential. Additionally, due to cross-cultural function of the Internet, laws regarding the Internet and privacy would be hard to uphold.
It is seemingly innocuous to sit behind one’s computer faceless, however computer tracking begins when one purchases internet service. An IP is assigned to your specific computer. A unique number separated by dots in most cases works to protect your privacy, every policy is different for different Internet Service Providers.
An IP address will also keep track of what web sites one visits. Without your knowledge your browser can release your default e-mail address, phone number, and other information in the electronic address book if the browser also handles your e-mail. Not only is a browser tracking what web sites you visit, but any search you make via a search engine is tracked and recorded. Furthermore, if you use the same search engine site as you do for your email, they can connect the two and gather even more information. In fact, any web site host owner can utilize Google’s free tool that tracks where someone enters their site, how long they stay, and where they leave.
IM is another tool that most of us use is the Instant Messenger and a lot of the newer versions are now saving and storing conversations. So while you may select not to save these conversations, your conversing partner may differ.
Blogs are the worst offenders. Personal information is made public for the world to see in most cases. Making your personal trials and tribulations available for the public to view, more so your employer to see. Reports say that blogging has accounted for firings and a number or major companies.
The convince of the internet has made it easy for things such as banking. But how safe is the information? While most all banks make their systems secure, you must be careful of emails received asking to update your account information. Emails can come from a variety of courses most of which are NOT from your bank. Unsuspecting users may enter information that allows fraud users access to information and your finances.
I personally have received a few of these emails from people claiming to be from sites such as eBay asking for me to update my account information. Upon clicking the web address given, I noticed that the address in the web browser was one that was unrelated to eBay. Additionally the little lock symbol that appears in the upper right corner of Safari was not there as it should be with a secure site. I immediately closed the browser and reported it to the eBay staff.
So the big question, in the nuances of the Internet, what is privacy? It is the ability to perform daily activities on the Internet without my personal information being sent or collected to any organization or company without my consent. But is signing up for and utilizing the Internet consent by use?
Sources uses:
Camm-Jones, Ben. WebUser. Retrieved 27th September 2007. Published 14th August 2007. http://www.webuser.co.uk/news/136595.html
Electronic Pricacy Information Clearing House. Retrieved 27th September 2007. http://www.epic.org/
Privacy Rights Clearing House. Retrieved 27th September 2007. http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs18-cyb.htm
Friday, September 28, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Assignment 3 - Copyrights
One of the most common misconceptions about copyright law is that it protects ideas, inventions and discoveries. This is in-fact incorrect. According to the information provided by the government at www.copyright.gov patent or trademark law covers inventions and discoveries. And while how ideas might be expressed it does not cover the ideas themselves. So what does copyright cover? "Literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works", so things like music, plays, "movies, computer software, and architecture" (copyright.gov).
With the start of the Internet more information became more readily available and accessible to its users. Because of that, there was a need to find a way to protect people's work that was out there. "The Copyright Website" (www.benedict.com) explains it best:
"The Internet has been characterized as the largest threat to copyright since its inception. The Internet is awash in information, a lot of it with varying degrees of copyright protection. Copyrighted works on the Net include news stories, software, novels, screenplays, graphics, pictures, Usenet messages and even email. In fact, the frightening reality is that copyright law protects almost everything on the Net. That can pose problems for the hapless surfer."
It makes it very easy for Joe Shoes photo of little Suzie to be copyrighted and protected from anyone else using it.
This also makes it very easy to get music. I know I have no problem hoping on Lime wire and getting some music that I might be into, but what is the effect for the artist? I think it has both positive and negative effects on them. I spoke to a friend of mine who used to be in a fairly popular band and asked him how it affected his bands advancement and income. He said a few things, one that it was great because more people were able to check out the new music, and made it easier for new fans to check them out. The other thing he said was that it was tough because record sales used to be a big income and now you basically had to cut that out of the budgeted income. So as a beginning artist who doesn't have a fat wallet it does hurt.
After talking to him I drew a few of my own conclusions. It's obvious at this point that music downloading is here to stay, people will continue finding ways to block it and then find ways to break through it. At this point its time to realize it, and now move past, find new ways to bring in the money.
With the start of the Internet more information became more readily available and accessible to its users. Because of that, there was a need to find a way to protect people's work that was out there. "The Copyright Website" (www.benedict.com) explains it best:
"The Internet has been characterized as the largest threat to copyright since its inception. The Internet is awash in information, a lot of it with varying degrees of copyright protection. Copyrighted works on the Net include news stories, software, novels, screenplays, graphics, pictures, Usenet messages and even email. In fact, the frightening reality is that copyright law protects almost everything on the Net. That can pose problems for the hapless surfer."
It makes it very easy for Joe Shoes photo of little Suzie to be copyrighted and protected from anyone else using it.
This also makes it very easy to get music. I know I have no problem hoping on Lime wire and getting some music that I might be into, but what is the effect for the artist? I think it has both positive and negative effects on them. I spoke to a friend of mine who used to be in a fairly popular band and asked him how it affected his bands advancement and income. He said a few things, one that it was great because more people were able to check out the new music, and made it easier for new fans to check them out. The other thing he said was that it was tough because record sales used to be a big income and now you basically had to cut that out of the budgeted income. So as a beginning artist who doesn't have a fat wallet it does hurt.
After talking to him I drew a few of my own conclusions. It's obvious at this point that music downloading is here to stay, people will continue finding ways to block it and then find ways to break through it. At this point its time to realize it, and now move past, find new ways to bring in the money.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
COM125 Assignment 2: Who am I?
Who am I? I'm a student enrolled in Communications. I plan on using the degree towards marketing. I currently have a job as a "Manager of Marketing/Sales" for a local company that invents and produces communication products for airlines ground support. I've worked with internet marketing, PR, and a few other areas with other companies in the past.
Besides school and jobs I'm extreamly involved in horses. I currently own two, Canada, and off-the-track throughbred that I compete in jumpers (go fast over a seris of jump) and dressage (fancy flat work), and plan on doing eventing (combination of previous plus jumping over solid jumps in the fields and woods) with him next season. The second is a medium pony, Fay, who is a sale project and can, in a matter of speaking, jump her height.
Apparently school, jobs, and two horses can't keep me busy enough I also started the UB Equestrian Club/Team. We travel to WV and PA to compete against other schools on their horses. Which means around 7 weekends away this semester with a lot of girls cramped into cars and hotels... If we're not away we are hosting events to fundraise as UB gives us nothing.Essentialy, horses tend to comsume my life, what time i have left I spend with school or working. If i have excess time I tend to fill it with sleep.
Besides school and jobs I'm extreamly involved in horses. I currently own two, Canada, and off-the-track throughbred that I compete in jumpers (go fast over a seris of jump) and dressage (fancy flat work), and plan on doing eventing (combination of previous plus jumping over solid jumps in the fields and woods) with him next season. The second is a medium pony, Fay, who is a sale project and can, in a matter of speaking, jump her height.
Apparently school, jobs, and two horses can't keep me busy enough I also started the UB Equestrian Club/Team. We travel to WV and PA to compete against other schools on their horses. Which means around 7 weekends away this semester with a lot of girls cramped into cars and hotels... If we're not away we are hosting events to fundraise as UB gives us nothing.Essentialy, horses tend to comsume my life, what time i have left I spend with school or working. If i have excess time I tend to fill it with sleep.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)