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The need for online security

by Josef Kafka

As the world becomes more dependent on digital records and communication, the need for reliable online security will only grow. An online world will rely heavily on a feeling of #privacy, to ensure that any and all users continue to use the services offered.

Privacy, however, can mean different things to different people. As the ongoing negotiations between Apple and the FBI show, it is entirely possible to see one situation in terms of both security and privacy. The FBI and Apple may be protecting the same people, but they are doing it from entirely different angles and for entirely different reasons. Apple, since their entire business model is dependent on being able to offer security and privacy to their customers, is advocating for #cyber-security and uncorrupted SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), while the FBI, since that is their mandate, are concerned about the possibility of physical harm which may come from people who take advantage of the security of the online world to keep their plans private. This tug-of-war between online privacy and offline security is one which is likely to continue as our society becomes more digitalised.

This issue is not unique to the USA. In Britain, the now-PM Theresa May made her own mark on digital security by passing a new clause in the so called 'Snooper's Charter'. The clause covers protection for journalists and their sources, puts new laws into place which renders the reception of private documents (including medical records), something which required clearance at the highest levels, and also made clear that privacy – in all but the strongest legal cases – came before legal action. These stipulations show the give-and-take which can exist between the need for security, and the expectation of privacy.

The long and short of it is that the only way to keep yourself and your personal information safe is to avoid going online altogether. Unfortunately, this is not possible in today's world, so for anybody going online, there are steps which need to be taken.

For anyone going online, there are certain steps which should always be taken. Everyone knows that they need secure passwords, which contain multiple case letters and at least one non-letter character. They also know that they should never write this password down, and should change it regularly (though this part at least is commonly ignored). However, online security is so much more than that. The rise of online shopping and the exchange of goods and services online means that there are many more credit card numbers floating around online than there were even five years ago. Predictably, the rise of online shopping has led to a rise in the number of hackers on the web – people who have seen the perfect opportunity to make themselves some money without having to worry about making it through legitimate means.

No site is completely impervious to hackers, unfortunately. It's simply the nature of technological advances: when someone creates a lock, someone else will immediately set to work on creating a key to unlock it. Fortunately, there are many ways in which people can limit the potential for their information to be hacked. Aside from the password rules we elaborated on above, people can ensure that they have a secure connection through the use of an SSL, which provides an encrypted link between the web server and the personal browser. There are different levels of SSL, but all browsers should come with some level of encryption.

People online – though this advice is more pertinent to people who use chatrooms and other forms of online instant communication – can also provide themselves with an additional layer of security simply by ensuring that no private information is shared. Sites do ask for names and (sometimes) addresses, but when on the site itself, remember these rules: never share your name, or the names of family members, online. Keep your address private at all times, as well as any phone numbers – you and any person communicating with you already have a platform to communicate on! Use it!

For a final note, the rise of social media has given organisations of all stripes a new platform for advertising their events, to the point where conferences and important gatherings encourage people to advertise their attendance on their own social media accounts! People who remember the time when they were warned about robbers phoning houses to see if there was anyone home, the reason for avoiding this habit should be obvious. For anybody else: PUBLICLY STATING THAT YOU WILL BE AWAY FROM YOUR HOME IS A TERRIBLE IDEA. Security is an ongoing issue with these sites, and obviously they would lose their customer base quickly if they couldn't offer any security, but still. Be reasonable. The number one deterrent for thieves is the knowledge that there is someone in the house. If you wouldn't go out onto the street and publicly declare that you will be away from your home and possessions between the hours of ten and four, why do it online?

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