Computers have made it easier to access information and have shared knowledge across multiple domains. This can be helpful in tracking criminals like those on the sex offender registry. People are able to access the database which allows them to see sex offenders that may live in their vicinity and helps to inform decisions around protecting themselves and families from a potential threat. It has made it easier to automate tedious processes. Having data stored on computer systems is safer than storing it the old way in file cabinets. Data stored on computers are able to be encrypted to protect the information from being accessed by unauthorized users. Developments in technology has also made banking more secured and people are able to access their fund a lot quicker vs having to go to the bank to withdraw money.
Computers have made the world less safe by opening it up to attackers who can hack into systems from anywhere in the world. Cyber criminals can use services like distributed denial of service to interrupt businesses. This attack was used recently to interrupt services to several social media platforms. Other forms of cyber-attacks include browser attacks where users are tricked into downloading malware disguised as a software or an update. Spoofing attacks include DNS spoofing where attackers can use DNS cache poisoning to corrupt DNS cache, so when you go to a website you have previously visited, it take you to another website that contains computer viruses that can affect the computer system. Ips and MAC addressed can be spoofed to hide the identity of the sender which makes it harder to identify the attacker.