Technology Aids Criminals -- Identity Theft

Technology aids criminals in their evil actions and allows a greater numbers of people to be harmed. Individuals may argue that technology helps us catch our criminals but I believe technology aids and fuels evil actions.

In today’s day in age people have a fear being robbed, shot, of even killed. We lock our homes, our cars and carry our wallets in safe places. As a society we fear the criminal with the gun! But what about the criminals that don’t use violence—the insiders who steal your identity.

You are at a higher risk then you think!

Webster dictionary describes identity theft as “the co-option of another person's personal information (e.g., name, Social Security number, credit card number, passport) without that person's knowledge and the fraudulent use of such knowledge” (http://www.webster-online-dictionary.org). Once someone’s identity is stolen, the criminal may steal money or gain other advantages by pretending to be someone else.

Thieves Steal Identities by-

1. Dumpster Diving – Finding personal information such as bills and other statements in the trash.

2. Stealing Credit Card numbers – by storing credit card information when a credit card is processed.

3. Phishing- Using spam to get you to reveal your personal information.

4. Using a false identity over the phone- Identity stealers may use this to change your address on billing statements over the phone with previous information they have stolen.

5. Physical theft- Stealing physical items; a wallet, purse or other personal information.

Technology aids these invisible criminals while they hide behind computers and take advantage of other people lives. With the information that they gather they can open bank accounts, new phone numbers, create counterfeit checks, and possibly ruin your credit score. It is vital that you realize you are at risk! Our parents taught us to locking our doors and protect our wallets or purses, but times have changed and criminals are attacking in different way. It is your responsibility to protect yourself against these invisible criminals.

Here are a few websites I recommend checking out –

http://www.lifelock.com/

http://www.tracemyid.com/

http://www.identityguard.com/

Why Hard Copy Books are in Trouble

In Fahrenheit 451 books were banned in the future, BUT WHY? I think the author Ray Bradbury proclaimed that books would be completely banished because of a general lack of interest or demand for such a premature technology within the future. As of 2010 Mr. Bradbury may be right. Technological innovations have given the ability for people to obtain information of numerous devices that much cheaper and more convenient. There are 3 main gadgets that will destroy whatever is left of the book publishing industry.

1. Internet- There are numerous websites and companies that provide the exact publications that you can buy at your local Barnes and Noble. The most common that I come across is the Google book, where they have complete or large chunks of the exact text that appears in the hard copy. It is even possible to print out books, though not recommended because that is not very “eco-friendly”.

2. Ipad- The ipad makes it extremely easy for users to read, transport and purchase books online. Ipad user’s have access to books that they can view, purchase and read all from their ipad device. The interface for this online bookstore is very easy to use and is comparable to buying songs from Itunes.

3. Mobile Phones- Another Google innovation (what else is knew) allows mobile phone carriers to have access to over 1.5 million books in their pockets. The cell phone market is very immature and will continue to grow rapidly. Everyone has cell phones, but not everyone has Ipad’s or comparable devices, which is why this market is so important and sought after. Within the next five, the ability to purchase books on a consumer mobile phone can single handily take down the hard copy book industry.

The one thing book companies have going for them is that high schools and universities are still using hard copy textbooks. I think this is going to change very quickly. Ebooks, or online books are much cheaper and with the budget cuts and financial problems that school districts are facing it would not make sense to spend more money that is not necessary. Last year Washington DC schools saw the light and switched to ebooks and I am sure others will soon follow.

5 Ways I benefit from Google's Automated Car Technology

Google has announced on their corporate blog that they have invented and are testing the technology for a car that can drive automatically with no driver. Google states that the automated care used video cameras, radar sensors and a range laser to see other traffic as well as detailed maps to navigate the road ahead. Google states that their main objective for creating this technology is to prevent traffic accidents and to free up peoples time. This got me thinking, what are the advantages for me personally if my car could get me from point A to point B without me doing anything.

1. I would be able to catch up on my sleep that I lose being a hardworking and academically focused college student. Nothing would be better then sleeping while traveling to work, the gym or other venues. Plus it would be a complete maximization of my time.

2. I could read the Wall Street Journal or other news publications to catch up on worldly events. This would increase my knowledge, maximizing both education expenses and again time. If I was feeling very ambitious I could finish or get a start on school work.

3. I would always have transportation regardless of time or place. For example, I personally hate driving in New York City so I rely on the unreliable NJ Transit. If I had a car that drove itself, driving in the city would not only be easy but interesting because I could be a spectator rather then battling the crowds and crazy taxi drivers. Second, I could go out with friends and the car could drive us home if we did not designate a driver.

4. Speeding and moving violations would be eliminated because the car would be programmed to strictly follow all driving laws. No more large fines or suspensions, which is self-explanatory.

5. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly it would be awesome to have a car that drives itself. No more stresses of driving in traffic, getting lost or driving in general.

Even though I think this type of technology is extremely beneficial, investors of Google are not pleased. They believe that even though Google has a modest 30 Billion dollars cash on their balance sheet, they are setting a dangerous precedent for investing in projects that stray away from their core business. Regardless of the investors opinions I believe that this technology would be great for consumers and contribute tremendous revenue to Google. I just hope I can reap the benefits before it is to late.

Top 10 Apps 4 you Dad and Toddler!

Why are toddlers so interested in their parent’s iphone? A friend of mine has a full page of apps dedicated to her two year old daughter. She calls it her “life saver!” Where ever she is she can hand over her iphone and the toddler flips to her page, settles down and selects her favorite app! She not only knows how to get to her app page but she can slide through picture, take a picture and call her dad with no one’s help! She is just learning to talk but she is an iphone expert!!

Furthermore, my 55-year-old Dad has no idea how to even turn on a computer. My brother has even written him step-by-step directing including pictures of what buttons to push! So when my Mom called me this summer to tell me she had bought Dad an ipad I was shocked! How did he know how to turn it on? What would he do with it? He can’t even type! Sure enough when I went home a few weeks later, there was my Dad, ipad in hand writing an email, my jaw literally dropped to the floor! He showed me all the apps he downloaded to check the weather, the stocks and his work schedule.

TIME magazine came out with a list of "top 10 Apps for your Dad"…

1. GolfCard
2. iHandyCarpenter
3. GasCubby
4. Grill Guide
5. Family Guy
6. Trapster
7. Hundred Pushups
8. 5800+ Drink and Cocktail Recipes
9. Fanfinder
10. Thing

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1906008,00.html

Road Trip for Family writes, "Back in the day, parents handed fussy toddlers their keys, a teething toy or maybe a rattle. Now, we hand over the iPhone.... It’s about iPhone apps. So, we decided to do some research and let our fingers do the downloading as we tried out some of the top contenders and a few more obscure apps. Here are our recommendations for the apps worth downloading. Let the happy road trips begin (www.roadtripsforfamilies.com)."

Road Trips for families Top 10 Apps for Toddlers and Kids

Disney’s Fairies Fly

ABC’s

Virtual Zippo Lighter

Wheels on the Bus

Teach Me: Kindergarten

Balloonimals

Bugdom 2

Toddler Teasers

Peekaboo Barn

Wordex

http://www.roadtripsforfamilies.com/2010/02/10-best-iphone-apps-for-toddlers-and-kids/

Google and Privacy Policy

Recently the New York T'simes published an article about Interent privacy, specifically Google's aim to simplify its privacy policies. Most internet users are familiar with the existence of these privacy policies, however neither full understand them nor understand where their privacy ends. These policies often are very long, it was written in the article that Facbook's is actually longer than the constitution. Because of the policies length and complex nature with unique jargon that is unfamilar and confusing to the average user there has been a movement to simplify them. The privacy polices, along with the service terms are often clicked on as accepted by most users without knowing what they have agreed to which is leading to major issues. Therefore, Google has began an effort to make their policies and service term aggrements user friendly so to speak. That way the user understands where and how the information they provide or upload onto a service is used and processed. Google hows their shortened policies will take effect as soon as October 3, 2010. However it is important to note that Google does not intend on changing its policies, it merely is planning on making the "language and presentation...more transparent and understandable". It seems that the change has not come soon enough, especially considering the heat Google has recieved from a consumer watchdog group on Thursday. The group accusses Google of taking advantage of users information and "not allowing them to opt out of Google's data collection online."

I believe that their should be a revision of the privacy policies and service term agreements so that users can be informed to what they are agreeing to. These aggrements that require only the click of a button and have to be accepted in order to use a service and difficult to understand and force users into accepting a contract as it were with out free choice or knowledge. I furthermore think that beyond changing the language and presentation that the policies themselves should be put under review and ammended for the better protection of the users.


New York Times by Nick Bilton dated Sept 3, 2010 2:57 pm titled Google to Simplify Its Privacy Policy