It goes without saying that computers have changed our lives. Computers have created new opportunities, presented new challenges for us to overcome, and enabled us to be more connected with one another. Aside from providing fun or being a convenient, useful tool, computers can also keep us safe. First, computers help us protect our information. Instead of relying on pen and paper or having to keep physical copies of important files locked away, we can keep them on the computer. Further, with the advancement of encryption technology, it is safer than ever before. Next, we can use our computers for home security and GPS purposes. People can share their locations with loved ones and control home security systems with their computers to make sure their home is safe. A third way computers keep us safe is by helping us spread information. Computers let us spread vital information through more mediums than previously available and at faster speeds.

Computers have improved our life and society in countless ways, but benefits always come with costs, as well. To begin with, computers have created a new way for criminals, hackers, and other adversaries to potentially harm you. A criminal not longer has to go into your home or physically grab your credit card to cause harm. Now, they can hack into your accounts and steal your information without you even knowing it happened. Second, computers have enabled the global distribution of illegal material, most notably child pornography. In addition to being illegal, the spread of such material traumatizes the victim further by immortalizing the event(s) it captures. Finally, your computer can be used as a tool to cause you later harm. The digital footprint you leave behind could give someone information on when and where to victimize you. This usually happens when people post that they are on vacation, letting a criminal know you are away from your home to burglarize it.