We're going to be discussing this in our tutor group forum but if any of my Facebook friends or Twitter followers feels like commenting, I'd be grateful for the opportunity to discuss, reflect and generally chew over some of these issues.
My biggest concern over online privacy actually starts with situations that aren't a problem. I'll throw out a couple of examples in a minute. The problem is that there are so many fears - real and imaginary - about privacy invasion that it becomes difficult to know what to take seriously and what to ignore. Lack of accurate information is, in my opinion, a big threat.
1. Facebook are going to steal all the rights to my photos!
I have to admit that when these messages first started, I got sucked right in but very quickly, it was flagged up that they are a series of hoax messages. There are two problems here. Firstly, some people quickly forget that it is probably a hoax and so they continue to copy/paste, spreading fear that Facebook might be interested in selling that picture of your roast dinner or video clip of your child giggling for the first time. Secondly, there is the risk that when a real issue arises, we'll all just assume it's another hoax and totally ignore it. Maybe that is the aim of all the hoaxes... or am I now being paranoid?
It's not an ideal solution but now, when I see these, I tend to copy/paste the first sentence into a search engine and it generally brings up a series of hoax alerts.
2. There are aliens in cyberspace and they're watching me!
Okay, this isn't what was really said but it was along those lines. My son and I were asked to help a friend (a generation ahead of me) with her iPad. Now neither of us are Apple experts so we asked what the problem was before deciding whether to go and help. It went roughly like this...
Friend: My iPad has been hacked.
Me: How do you know? What has happened?
F: I can't get into my emails. The password has been changed.
Me: Have you tried requesting a reset?
F: Yes but whoever it is changes it straight back again.
Me: So it's your email account that you think has been hacked, not the whole iPad?
F: No, it's everything. I think they got in through the webcam. They've done something to our phone line too... and maybe the fridge.
Me: You've got an Apple fridge?
F: No, just a normal one but it's not working properly.
Me: And who do you think has broken your fridge through your webcam?
F: (Near tears) I don't know but they could be watching us all the time. It's causing us both so much stress.
Etc...etc...etc...
I had two immediate concerns. If she genuinely believed that someone was watching them and damaging their white goods through her iPad, why didn't she turn it off?!?! Also, and this goes back to my previous example, how vulnerable will she be if she does get an account hacked? The total lack of understanding about this, is likely to mean that she'll have burnt out all her 'this looks dodgy' receptors and she'll be open to anything.
Does anyone have any thoughts to share on this theme or any similar examples to share?
No comments:
Post a Comment