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Privacy issue and The New Media
by Sam G. Riley, Virginia Technology
The development of new media had increased day by day and made the communication easier than before. Yet, they also give an impact especially about the privacy-related issue. Our private, non-non work time is encroached upon,usually voluntary. In addition to the seductive social impact of the new communication technologies, the privacy of the individuals and organizations is threatened by computer hackers whose motivations range from theft o sabotage, revenge, harassment, political protest or more prank playing.
In response to these threats, organization are being encouraged to place their own restrictions on employee's privacy expectations as to workplace computer use by choosing software that creates audit trails by monitoring the sign in activity, access the files and also the like. It also being recommended that the use of updating anti virus and valuable sensitive information, the use of encryption of software is indicated.
There are a lot of kind of hacker. The specialized one were called sniffer who monitor the internet traffic as it flows through server nodes. They write programs that search out key words and automatically make copies of the sought after messages. Meanwhile the snoofers not only intercept the messages of others but alter it before forwarding them to their originally intended recipients. This new media is invading privacy by planting of fraudulent voice mail.
Another privacy threat is the use of so- called 'cookies'. This small file put on one's hard drive by some website when ones visit them. This file allow the website record the surfing activities within the site, thereby storing all the information about users. Therefore by installing e mail filter such as Allegro which could ward off viruses and can automatically trash suspect e mail messages would be the best way in preventing measure.
The organization are also being urged to draft acceptable use policy and have employees sign a consent form. This to make sure that they can use company computers to send -personal email. other than that legal remedies for new media privacy invasion are being pursued in both courts and legislative bodies laws that attempt to protect privacy rights that might be invaded by the new media are include the Privacy Protection Act 1980, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, Federal Records Act and a lot more.
Finally in an effort the self regulatory effort are underway and we need to be responsible and careful in using the web browser to avoid any privacy invasion. Do not forget to sign out the email and don use cookies to avoid any interruption from this hackers.
ROSHAZMA BINTI CHE HAMID
2009658466
