Computers have added a whole new dimension into our understanding of “safety”. Safety, be that physical safety from harm, safety of our personal information, safety of our finances and safety of our families, have all been impacted by innovations in computer technology. Computers have enabled people to create the internet, the internet has allowed people to look into the lives of others with ease, with or without their consent. The internet has connected many different types of people together, for better or for worse. Has this made us more or less safe? How do I keep myself safe? First, we need to start with the very basics.

How do you know your computer is safe?

Nearly everyone is in possession of 1 or more computers, be that a phone, a desktop for work, a laptop for school, or a game console that connects to the internet. All of these things introduce potential hazards into the lives of ordinary people. Most secured systems have measures put into place by the manufacturer to make sure that unintended exploits are not taken advantage of my malicious users. This can be in the form of antivirus on the devices, firewalls to ensure that malicious code doesn’t even make it through the network, or browser virus detection to make sure that viruses are not downloaded from the browser. On an operating system, or the software that allows the user to use their computer in an intuitive way, is designed to minimize many of these threats. It is usually the job of a operating systems vendor (owner of the software) to ensure that the latest security measures are put in place. Measures such as fixing of bugs, exploits, or any other ways malicious code can gain escalated user privileges are usually released by the manufacturer as soon as said exploits are discovered. Cybersecurity analysts and professionals are tasked with researching and implementing fixes at these companies and constant monitoring of the cyber-space and research into the field is a requirement. This is why keeping a system up to date with the latest software is so important, as it ensures that the latest fixes from the manufacturer are implemented on the system.

What are 3 ways that computers have made us less safe?

Computers have introduced certain unique aspects to our society. It has turned our social sphere into a digital social sphere. In ways it has put virtually everyone at risk (even if many people can’t recognize the risks). One way computers have both helped and hurt people’s safety is anonymity. While it is technically possible to be completely anonymous while using computers and the internet, it is often impossible to leave no trace of your presence. IP addresses are unique addresses assigned to every user that wants to access a website from their own computer. These addresses, often times, can be traced to a physical address. While many people will do nothing with this information, there is always the potential that it can be used for nefarious purposes. Another way computers have made people less safe is the possible risk that users take with their finances or other valuable personal data when using a computer. Many cyberattacks use exploits that are far beyond the scope of a normal user, creating an imbalance that can potentially exploit users into having their information stolen by a number of methods. Methods like phishing, stolen data through malware or other exploits, or ransomware can destroy a users life by attacking them financially or by blackmailing them in other ways that can be harmful to a users quality of life. Finally, the effect that computers and technology can physically and socially have on people is one that many don’t take into account. Daily life can often involve hours of staring at unnatural light sources, such as screens, and interact with people through a medium that is not the same as a “face-to-face” medium. Computers can make work and interaction with other people easier, potentially reducing the amount of human contact that people get with each other. This is something that people will need to take into account when using a computer, especially as more and more people use computers exclusively for work.

How have computers made us more safe?

The introduction of computers has had many negatives, but there are also many positives that can be obtained from the use of computers. Firstly, as mentioned in the previous paragraph, the internet can help users to achieve a level of anonymity that was not previously possible before this technology. Anonymity is not just something that cyber criminals take advantage of, as it can also be used by people such as whistleblowers, people writing journalism, and people doing commerce that do not want their personal information stolen. Computers have also allowed us to anonymously authenticate who we are. Authentication methods, such as passwords, biometrics, and digital signatures have made it easy for us to interact with other people in an anonymous way while also authenticating that we are who we say we are. The last reason I believe computers are making us safer is the integration they have in our safety systems, be that in cars, the medical field, or the security field. Advancements in technology have allowed users to constantly track their heartrate and other biometric data, have allowed people to be traced when their locations could not be determined, and have created safe automobiles that can react faster than humans ever could.