Still Don't Get It

I am continually surprised that the majority of Americans have no idea of how the Internet works, how computers function or even basic network operation.

This is not bragging but fact. I started using ARC Net in 1981. ARC Net was a precursor today's Internet. Using ARC Net required keyboarding commands. There were no programs that gave slick network interfaces Windows. Windows came from Xerox Corporation. When Apple and Microsoft sued each other over proprietary rights to Windows, Xerox should have been suing.

I learned MS-DOS as well as UNIX, baseband vs broadband and the advantages and drawbacks of each. Routers, fiber optics, servers and more fell into my lap because I had the advantage of working at high-tech companies. Plenty of this had to do with my job, which also included making broadband or baseband work with other protocols and network services.

I've said all of this to let people know any information you put into electronic form can be accessed. For simple things even I could hack your computer, your Facebook account and a few other things. It is not that difficult, but I have no interest in doing so, but there others that may.

I only bring all these to the up because of the number of people hung out to dry because of their lack of knowledge of computers and networks. Cheating on your husband or wife? If you've been using any electronic device for your secret calls, bingo, trapped like a rat. Making plans for illegal activities? Bam! Down for the count.

The point is if you have things you don't want disclosed--don't put them on the Internet. Have Wi-Fi at home? Unless you computer is completely shut down, it is not totally safe as many computers go into a standby mode and are on still on. Of course, if you're doing nothing wrong, most hackers don't care two cents about you and what you do.

Facebook junkies and Twitter followers beware because it is difficult to take something back. Expressions and intonation can't be transmitted. So, something you said in jest might be taken as an insult. Plus. that inadvertent message can be saved and passed along.

A word to the wise: If you're doing something you don't anyone to know about, keep it to yourself. Data can be recovered from your PC, cell phone and just about anything with a computer chip. If you're relying on your PC or cell phone to keep your secrets, buy a good degaussing device. If it was posted on the Internet, you're screwed.