Innovators are Protected

Although patents have had issues in the past, they are ultimately a source of protection for inventions. Similar to the idea of copyright, they help prevent a new idea from getting sold and miscredited.  For example, in the pharmaceutical industry, when company A spends billions of dollars to produce a new drug, it is important that they are protected by a patent because company B may avoid spending billion of dollars to produce the same product by stealing the invention. This does not mean that the invention cannot get used or sold, rather it protects from others using or selling it.  Although certain jurisdictions hold in each country about patents, they are ultimately a source of protection for inventions all around the world . Patents ensure by law that your property remains yours.  

The Introduction of Security

Computer security was not always something to be aware of in the tech community. Principles of computer security only came about as hackers proved faultiness in its architecture. Security holes found by hacking quickly became a problem when classified information began to be exposed. Therefore strengthening security needed to take place. Now, what was thought as security decades ago is only a fraction of what security is today. Although security has strengthened dramatically, the principle of strengthening computer security was only first introduced with Stoll’s experience in The Cuckoo’s Egg.

The idea of being a target may not occur to us due to “valueless” information our system holds. Therefore sometimes precautionary steps are not made to ensure protection. It is possible that may be true, but not probable to an intruder. Our systems might just be the medium to something priceless. It is important that security is ensured regardless the value we assume it has. To a hacker, our server may be the key to a whole dangerous operation waiting to happen. It is up to us to make sure operations like that do not even become likely.

Although it is evident unsecured connections create vulnerability of being monitored, the case is the same with any connection. An undetected monitoring device through a server does not guarantee client invisibility. Any client can be monitored. This is emphasized by Stoll’s undetected printing of a hacker’s movement through a server. It has even become analogous to today’s sniffers and rootkits. Undetected through the server, they can monitor from the wire and intercept any call detection of their presence. Despite their undetection, we must still become aware of the possibility of being monitored.

Computer security is something we are still working on to improve, but it is important to remember the foundation of where it all was introduced, The Cuckoo’s Egg.

Technology, A Financial Problem

Although wearable technology is taking off, families have not realized this means more spending. Usually a family can buy a desktop and keep it around for all to use, but wearable technology means that technology becomes more personal. Just as every family member needs their own pair of shoes, technology is going to become so personal that this will be the case with it as well. Furthermore, as families update their closets, so will the need be for their wearable technology. It does not help that this technology is increasing so rapidly. It not only means purchasing for each family member, but constant spending for updates as well. As exciting as this increase of technology may be, this will be a financial problem for families.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/strap-computer-wearable-tech-taking-off-20427621

Evolving?

Each bit of technological progress makes a difference in our lifestyles. Not addictively, but ecologically. As technological settings change, we adapt. The greater technology is valued, the quicker it becomes the norm. As more technology becomes part of the status quo, the more it becomes part of us. It affects our social contact with others, our ability to communicate, the way we approach problems, and how we solve them. Our adaption affects our co-workers, friends, and family. Although infectious and dangerously contagious, it is gracefully becoming part of our history. In fact, it is changing history. Our traditions and customs before technology are being pushed out of our lives and technology is moving in. In consequence, active heritage is decreasing, and it will continue to do so unless we are cautious.