Pkchukiss - Reality Wine

The Internet has more than revolutionalised the world: it has brought together people, irregardless of geographical borders. You know, it is amazing that you can read about news as it is developing on the other side of the world? Or even to chat online with your long-distant cousin?

However, along with the unrivaled power granted to us, privacy on the web has become arbitrary. There is a risk we all take whenever we start a web presence. Your web page stands out there, ready to be served to anyone who requests it. Friends, relatives, future employers: they have the power to seek out your server - be it private, or public - just because it is there. Of course, everything is well and good if they do not wish us harm; but sadly, our world isn’t some Utopia.

Hackers, griefers, ill-wishers, and many undesirable elements lurk around the Internet, with the purpose of taking advantage of whatever you place online. This may include privileged information like your own financial details, physical address, your friends’ names, and many other personalised information that can be used to hurt you.

It is a very sobering thought. Just a few days ago, 4.7 million credit card numbers were compromised by a single firm - just because they did not secure the information properly. When our information is a thin veil from full-blown exposure, we must try our utmost to add to that almost-non-existent layer of security, in order to continue enabling us to share our favourite moments with our loved ones - without letting in undesirable elements.

However, the challenge of improving access security usually comes at a compromise to usability. And even then, a tight seal cannot be guaranteed. The Internet is the battleground of the constant war of wits between security professionals, and the black hatters. As each security algorithm is invented, it starts to age as hackers race to crack the code, and break down yet another wall of defense.

So how do we effectively ensure that our information is available to the ones whom we want to share with, yet out of the hands of the bad guys?

The answer lies in being as small a target as possible.

There will always be ignorant targets on the Internet. They use out-of-date security defense mechanisms, or use none at all. They openly flaunt their information, or for some reason have the largest repository of information. Sometimes, they are the target of some malicious agenda. Amongst these big lumbering giants, if our outfit remains compact, leaves no foot-print, and use modern security schemes - most hackers would have absolutely no reason to attempt to mess with our system.

Of course, there would always be the rare occasion where bored kiddies would prod and pry around - it comes with being in the Wild Wild Internet - that’s where empowered system administrators come in. They break the script-kiddies’ crowbars, and leave them to dust.

As long as these rules are followed, the chances of being targeted are reduced; and hopefully, the Internet would become a slightly less wild land.

Filed under: Writings