Botnets Are After Your Computer

We all should be aware of the need to protect our computers from outside threats. Unless something obvious happens, you probably believe that your computer is safe, but is it. This week’s article looks at botnets and the treat that they pose to computers at home and in business locations. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.

How safe do you believe that your computer at home is from outside threats? Does your computer have anti-virus software running on it? Are the virus definitions up to date? Does your computer have a firewall? Does your computer have a program to detect spyware? Has your computer or the computer of someone you know ever been attacked? How did you or the person you know deal with the problem? What should be done about botnets? What should be done with people who are involved in these illegal activities?

Botnets Article

The Internet of Things

Each day we see more and more things that are connected to the Internet. This week’s article takes the idea of connecting things to the Internet and pushes it further with the visions of some people and the preparations that are being made. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.

Describe a scenario that you can envision in which things in your life are connected to the Internet. How would they use the Internet? How would their use of the Internet make your life better or easier? How might things being connected to the Internet, as the article describes, be used be used to control you or monitor your activities? Which of the uses described in the article surprised you?

The Internet of Things Article

Video Republic

Our article for this week is about YouTube and its influence on people in general and your generation specifically. As you read the article, think about how you personally fit the description. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.

The article claims that you are the YouTube generation. How true do you think that statement is? What is your reaction to the comparison of YouTube and the BBC? What is your prediction about the future of CVs and the incorporation of online in job applications? How should video blogs and online diaries be part of the school curriculum? Did you find the quantity of video being uploaded to YouTube to be surprising? How should politicians use online video? How should we use blogs in our class?

Video Republic Article

Chinese Monitor Messages

When I lived in China, we often heard rumors of the Chinese government listening to telephone conversations and monitoring Internet use. This week we look at more evidence that links the Chinese and other governments to the monitoring of communication from individuals. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.

Which country using monitoring systems surprised you? What types of monitoring should not be allowed? What types of monitoring should be allowed? If you were charged with the responsibility of monitoring Internet communication for the purposes of national security, how would you do it without abusing personal privacy? If you were in China and a friend sent you text messages with words that you knew were on China’s restricted list, what would you do?

Monitoring Messages Article