Don’t get me wrong. I’m a big fan of the Internet, but like most inventions throughout history, it can be used for good or evil. Also, it cannot be ‘uninvented’.
On the good side it provides us with a wonderful means of communication which can be a lifeline for the lonely. Think of all the grandparents whose offspring have emigrated to a far-off country where they are bringing up their own children without proximity to family members still in their original countries. How wonderful social media and programmes such as Skype are to those families and friends.
The knowledge we can gain through the Internet is also so useful, although we do have to be careful not to believe everything we read. Sources have to be reliable.
Now, however, we hear more and more about the ‘Dark Web’, a furtive area where paedophiles, terrorists and other criminals hang out. Most of us wouldn’t have a clue how to access this, nor would we have any desire to do so, but nevertheless it is there. This is the evil side of the Internet.
Recently my own telephone and Internet Service Provider suffered a huge hacking attack. Many personal details have been stolen and it is believed this information is being sold on the Dark Web, leaving customers of the company involved subject to having bank details and personal details used by others. Personally one of my friends has lost money from her bank account. We are all being told to be as vigilant as possible, not only on the web, but also in accepting phone calls which may prove to be scams.
Undoubtedly the criminals are clever; what a pity they can’t use their abilities for the good of mankind rather than their own selfish ends.
Chrisbjwordsandimages 