The whole of the internet can be broken down into three categories: the surface web, the deep web, and the dark web. The surface web includes sites that are indexed and can be found using a search engine such as Google, YouTube, Amazon, and Facebook. The Deep Web includes sites that are not indexed and… Continue reading The Darkest of Webs
While scrolling through the Tech section of the New York Times, I came across a book review for a new publication by Joanne McNeil, a writer well known for her essays on technology. From her website (currently under construction), I found a collection of video essays entitled "Just Browsing." I meant to only watch one… Continue reading [ Lurking ]
Due to COVID-19 and quarantine, the video communication software company, Zoom, has seen an exponential increase in their user base. On Sunday, the 12th of March, Zoom saw its largest increase of users in a single day, 600,000, and on Monday was rated as the top free iOS downloaded app. Founded in 2011, Zoom was… Continue reading Zoom Boom
While many think of cybersecurity as protecting hackers from stealing information such as passwords, bank accounts, etc., it also includes protecting medical facilities. For example, a recent cyber-attack targeted one of the largest COVID-19 testing hospitals in the Czech Republic, shutting down all of their computer servers. It was suspected to be a ransomware attack,… Continue reading COVID-19 Cybersecurity Concerns
Countries all around the world are increasing surveillance in order to monitor and contain the spread of coronavirus. In China, CCTV cameras are installed outside apartment buildings to ensure quarantine and drones fly overhead, telling people to wear their masks (see drone footage here). In South Korea, the government is using credit card transactions and… Continue reading Rise in Government Surveillance to Fight COVID-19
The city of San Diego has installed around 3,200 smart street lights and hopes to install 1,000 more in the near future. Before then, however, critics have asked that policy be reviewed and discussed regarding data collection and usage. Sensors on the street lights collect audio and video footage as well as "pedestrian and vehicle… Continue reading Watching Over
IoT. A term unheard of before the 21st century but one that is becoming an ever-increasing part of daily life. The Internet of Things consists of all devices which communicate through the internet. This includes smartphones and watches, bluetooth speakers and headphones, fitness trackers, light bulbs, home security systems (see previous post here), self-driving cars,… Continue reading The Internet of Things
Amazon has come under scrutiny in the past few months regarding their video surveillance and doorbell product, Ring. In December, a family in Mississippi filed
(If you haven't done so already, please read part 1 entitled "Privacy and Security: Can they Coincide?" before continuing)
Is surveillance legal? Is it necessary for security? What is the balance between the freedoms of the people to their own privacy versus that of their protection? May I present to you the controversial figure that is Edward Snowden: Some say he is a traitor. Others say he is a patriot. I'll state the case,… Continue reading Privacy and Security: Can They Coincide?
Unwind_My_Mind 