it and its pros and cons

8/11/2019 IT and Its Pros and Cons

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Information Technology A Definition:

We use the term information technology or IT to refer to an entire industry. In actuality,

information technology is the use of computers and software to manage information. In somecompanies, this is referred to as Management Information Services (or MIS) or simply as

Information Services (or IS). The information technology department of a large company

would be responsible for storing information, protecting information, processing the

information, transmitting the information as necessary, and later retrieving information as

necessary.

History of Information Technology:

In relative terms, it wasn't long ago that the Information Technology department might have

consisted of a single Computer Operator, who might be storing data on magnetic tape, and

then putting it in a box down in the basement somewhere. The history of information

technology is fascinating! Check out thesehistory of information technologyresources for

information on everything from the history of IT to electronics inventions and even the top 10

IT bugs.

Some advantages of information technology

Globalization - IT has not only brought the world closer together, but it has allowed the world's

economy to become a single interdependent system. This means that we can not only shareinformation quickly and efficiently, but we can also bring down barriers of linguistic and geographic

boundaries. The world has developed into a global village due to the help of information technology

allowing countries like Chile and Japan who are not only separated by distance but also by language

to shares ideas and information with each other.

Communication - With the help of information technology, communication has also become

cheaper, quicker, and more efficient. We can now communicate with anyone around the globe by

simply text messaging them or sending them an email for an almost instantaneous response. The

internet has also opened up face to face direct communication from different parts of the world

thanks to the helps of video conferencing.

Cost effectiveness - Information technology has helped to computerize the business process thus

streamlining businesses to make them extremely cost effective money making machines. This in turn

increases productivity which ultimately gives rise to profits that means better pay and less strenuous

working conditions.
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Bridging the cultural gap - Information technology has helped to bridge the cultural gap by helping

people from different cultures to communicate with one another, and allow for the exchange of

views and ideas, thus increasing awareness and reducing prejudice.

More time - IT has made it possible for businesses to be open 24 x7 all over the globe. This means

that a business can be open anytime anywhere, making purchases from different countries easier

and more convenient. It also means that you can have your goods delivered right to your doorstep

with having to move a single muscle.

Creation of new jobs - Probably the best advantage of information technology is the creation of new

and interesting jobs. Computer programmers, Systems analyzers, Hardware and Software

developers and Web designers are just some of the many new employment opportunities created

with the help of IT.

Some disadvantages of information technology

Unemployment - While information technology may have streamlined the business process it has

also crated job redundancies, downsizing and outsourcing. This means that a lot of lower and middle

level jobs have been done away with causing more people to become unemployed.

Privacy - Though information technology may have made communication quicker, easier and moreconvenient, it has also bought along privacy issues. From cell phone signal interceptions to email

hacking, people are now worried about their once private information becoming public knowledge.

Lack of job security - Industry experts believe that the internet has made job security a big issue as

since technology keeps on changing with each day. This means that one has to be in a constant

learning mode, if he or she wishes for their job to be secure.

Dominant culture - While information technology may have made the world a global village, it has

also contributed to one culture dominating another weaker one. For example it is now argued that

US influences how most young teenagers all over the world now act, dress and behave. Languages

too have become overshadowed, with English becoming the primary mode of communication for

business and everything else.

I found this, hope it work. Some advantages and disadvantages of information technology Before

we can know about all the advantages and disadvantages of information technology, it is

essential that we know what information technology is exactly, and why it has it come to play

such a important role in our daily lives. Today information technology involves more than just


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computer literacy; it also takes into account how computers work and how these computers can

further be used not just for information processing but also for communications and problem

solving tasks as well. Our world today has changed a great deal with the aid of information

technology. Things that were once done manually or by hand have now become computerized

operating systems, which simply require a single click of a mouse to get a task completed. With

the aid of IT we are not only able to stream line our business processes but we are also able toget constant information in 'real time' that is up to the minute and up to date. The significance of

IT can be seen from the fact that it has penetrated almost every aspect of our daily lives from

business to leisure and even society. Today personal PCs, cell phones, fax machines, pagers,

email and internet have all not only become an integral part of our very culture but also play an

essential role in our day to day activities. With such a wide scope for the purpose of this article

we shall focus on the impact of the internet in information technology. Some of the advantages of

information technology include: Globalization - IT has not only brought the world closer together,

but it has allowed the world's economy to become a single interdependent system. This means

that we can not only share information quickly and efficiently, but we can also bring down barriers

of linguistic and geographic boundaries. The world has developed into a global village due to the

help of information technology allowing countries like Chile and Japan who are not onlyseparated by distance but also by language to shares ideas and information with each other.

Communication - With the help of information technology, communication has also become

cheaper, quicker, and more efficient. We can now communicate with anyone around the globe by

simply text messaging them or sending them an email for an almost instantaneous response.

The internet has also opened up face to face direct communication from different parts of the

world thanks to the helps of video conferencing. Cost effectiveness - Information technology has

helped to computerize the business process thus streamlining businesses to make them

extremely cost effective money making machines. This in turn increases productivity which

ultimately gives rise to profits that means better pay and less strenuous working conditions.

Bridging the cultural gap - Information technology has helped to bridge the cultural gap by

helping people from different cultures to communicate with one another, and allow for the

exchange of views and ideas, thus increasing awareness and reducing prejudice. More time - IT

has made it possible for businesses to be open 24 x7 all over the globe. This means that a

business can be open anytime anywhere, making purchases from different countries easier and

more convenient. It also means that you can have your goods delivered right to your doorstep

with having to move a single muscle. Creation of new jobs - Probably the best advantage of

information technology is the creation of new and interesting jobs. Computer programmers,

Systems analyzers, Hardware and Software developers and Web designers are just some of the

many new employment opportunities created with the help of IT. Some disadvantages of

information technology include: Unemployment - While information technology may have

streamlined the business process it has also crated job redundancies, downsizing andoutsourcing. This means that a lot of lower and middle level jobs have been done away with

causing more people to become unemployed. Privacy - Though information technology may

have made communication quicker, easier and more convenient, it has also bought along privacy

issues. From cell phone signal interceptions to email hacking, people are now worried about their

once private information becoming public knowledge. Lack of job security - Industry experts

believe that the internet has made job security a big issue as since technology keeps on

changing with each day. This means that one has to be in a constant learning mode, if he or she

wishes for their job to be secure. Dominant culture - While information technology may have

made the world a global village, it has also contributed to one culture dominating another weaker

one. For example it is now argued that US influences how most young teenagers all over the

world now act, dress and behave. Languages too have become overshadowed, with Englishbecoming the primary mode of communication for business and everything else.


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Information Technology Pros

1. The world got flexibility

What we think, do or plan must be shared with our co-workers, colleagues and friends. The internet

technology has advanced this system to a great extent. The telephone idea (by Alexander Graham

Bell) has been modified and made as Cell Phones to increase more flexibility in communication and

talk to our dear fellows whenever we require!

2. The sense of responsibility has increased

Let us take Barack Obama- USA President as the figure. With the use of networking sites (Twitter

and Facebook), blogs, social bookmarking, the leader can approach to the world whenever necessary

and we can receive the news and updates which he has done (or wants to be done by us) within a

very short period.

3. Easy thinking & evolution in transportation

To think and to research, we need resources to find what our past people has thought, what quotes

they have left for us (+information + theory). We can find them by a single click in search engines

(specially Google, Yahoo!). By getting a clear cut idea, we get the chance of contributing the world

with new technological ideas and inventions and share what we have learnt throughout our lives.

And throughout the ages, it helped us to evolute the transportation strategy which helps us to visit

from a place to another by (Roads, highways, air, water and in the skies!)

4. Saves thousand of lives daily

So, by the point heading I hope you understand I am referring towards Medical Sector development.

Each day people are getting relief by the perfect use of Medicine, Hospital Technology with addition

of (X-Rays, Laser Treatments) and more on the queue. By the combination of the World Health

Organization, various fatal diseases can be overcome and just expelled from specified countries by

quick plans and ideas.

5. Increase the sense of Human Rights

The technology can remind of our human rights, basic needs and give updates where relief or

worldwide help is necessary. During earthquakes, terrible floods, while co-operation is necessary theWorld Wide Web can help us to collect the donation by a desired amount.


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It is not possible to just figure out everything about the good and bad sides of Information and

Technology within a page and article as because it has mixed with every aspects and corners of our

lives. Rather, let us look at the side effects, bad sides (cons) which IT-sectors have brought to the

Human Society.

Information Technology Cons

1. It has taken away peoples Privacy

As IT-Sectors have wined the peoples heart worldwide. People are here to share and store any kind

of information, private date in their hard drives and private online databases. But due to some

Cyber-Criminals, nothing is SO Safe both online and offline. If someone becomes a bit careless, s/he

may needs to pay high for it. (Its serious).

2. The online community is not safe for Family anymore

Children under age may often share Cell Numbers, Private Email Address which can be hacked by

people and can pass it to the criminals who have a blue-print to harm the society. And people are

loosing credit card privacy and other payment processing options. Again, there are some sites

created by Nasty Guys, which can lead under eighteen teenagers to a different pathThat Is Going

To Bring Harms To The Nation.

3. It is going to damage a Humans Natural Power

We can think, gather human principles (ethical knowledge) and make co-operative relationships

between friends and families. But due to harmful aspects of (IT) people are becoming fully

technological based. And it can bring huge damage to the society as its taking away the natural

thoughts and organic ideas.

4. It can bring World Destruction without Efficient Administration

This is an extra point which I am writing by remembering various Science Fictions. Great scholars

have though about the matter wisely. Til now, we (humans) are possessing the leading place in the

world and administering the computer technology. But a day MAY come when the technology is

going to administer us in all aspects. It may probably happen that we are converted to the slaves of

Technology.

So, by this cons I am not trying to tell that Technology is here to bring harms only, because I myself is

a technological man who passes 24 hours browsing computer and talking on phones. But as a part of

human society we need to give up a look at the both sides of IT.


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THE ADVANTAGE OF USING IP

IP enables cross-platform, or heterogeneous, networking. For example, a Windows NT/2000

network could contain Unix and Macintosh workstations or even networks mixed in it. TCP/IP also

has the following characteristics:

Good failure recovery

The ability to add networks without interrupting existing services

High error-rate handling

Platform independence

Low data overhead

Because IP was originally designed for Department of Defenserelated purposes, what we now call

features or characteristics were actually design requirements. The idea behind "Good Failure

Recovery" was that if a portion of the network were disabled during an incursion or attack, its

remaining pieces would still be able to function fully. Likewise is the capability of adding entire

networks without any disruption to the services already in place. The ability to handle high error

rates was built in so that if a packet of information got lost using one route, there would be a

mechanism in place to ensure that it would reach its destination using another route. Platform

independence means that the networks and clients can be Windows, Unix, Macintosh, or any other

platform or combination thereof. The reason IP is so efficient lies in its low overhead. Performance is

key for any network. IP is unmatched in its speed and simplicity.

Disadvantage of Internet Protocol

1. SYN Attacks

The Internet Protocol uses a three-way handshake system. Under this system the user contacts a

server, which then sends a response back to the user asking the user to confirm the connection. The

computer hosting the connection must then wait 75 seconds to receive a response to the

acknowledgment, to compensate for network slowdown. SYN attacks work by sending the first

request but not the second over and over again. This monopolizes the computer's resources, causing

other legitimate connections to fail.

2. SEQUENCE MANIPULATION

The Internet Protocol keeps packets of information in sequence. If a user goes offline, either by a

malicious user's designs or other means, any computers it is currently communicating with will close

the connection if a response without the proper sequence number is received. If a user intercepts

these messages he can discern the ID number and respond as the user, resulting in communication

with the machine being hijacked. This can cause theft of important data.


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3. AMORPHOUS IDENTIFICATION

The Internet Protocol was designed to only allow a single connection at a time and to have this

connection be routed to a definite user. As the Internet has progressed and IP address space

becomes increasingly precious, this address space is no longer dedicated and is usually assigned

among a pool of users. This lack of unique identification makes it hard to verify a user and adds to

the complexity of an application's security by removing trust in the identity of the user.

4. DNS FLAWS

The Domain Name Service (DNS) is a way of looking up the IP address of a domain name. Internet

Protocol can only communicate to IP addresses, requiring Internet communication to occur through

a DNS server maintained by your Internet Service Provider. This flaw can be exploited by redirecting

domain names to different IP addresses.

Pros and Cons

There are many pros and cons to using cookies. Some sites use them for security, to

make sure that a user is who they say they are. Some sites have also been accused of

using cookies to track users on the web, in a way which may invade a user's privacy.

Many e-commerce sites use cookies in order to customize the way their site looks when

a user goes to it. Amazon.com, for instance, uses cookies to track a user in order to give

them recommendations, to keep track of a shopper's cart, and also to enable their "1-

Click" shopping.(8) Amazon.com's system keeps a record of a user's credit card

information, associated with the identification number on their cookie. This means thatwhen the user returns to buy something, there is no need to send their credit card

information over the Internet, potentially preventing the risk of having that information

fall into the wrong hands (9). Many other sites use a similar system to display ads or

news that are specifically tailored for the individual visitor.

Some sites have introductory pages, which are displayed for first time users, so that the

user understands what the site is about. However, it would be frustrating if every time a

visitor goes to a site they have to click through all the introductions. Cookies provide a

way around this. After a user has been through the introductory pages, a site can send a

cookie to the computer that says that the user has been there. The next time the user

arrives at the page, the site knows that they have been through the introduction, and so itcan just pass them on to the site directly. This displays how cookies can be useful for

website developers and users alike (10).

Cookies also help provide security for information exchanges. For instance, some

websites will use cookies to prevent an attack such as Session Hijacking, when an

attacker gets in between a user and a site, and assumes the identity of the user. Cookies

provide a site with a way to make sure that the computer that it's talking to is the same

computer it was talking to a minute ago. Overall, however, one of the most persistent

ways cookies are used are to provide login information for a user.

For instance, Yahoo! uses and optional cookie so that when a user who goes to the site


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often visits the site, it "remembers" who they are, and gets the cookie information to log

them in and display their own customized page. This saves the user a little bit of time

and effort, and makes the site a more pleasant experience (11).

Advertisers are also some of the largest users of cookies. Companies like Doubleclick

use cookies to find out what users are interested in. For instance, if one goes to a lot ofsites that involve travel to London, after a while, Doubleclick can customize the ads he

or she sees, and may present one for a site that sells airline tickets, or discount luggage.

The real-world equivalent of this is shopping catalogues, which often sell information

about people who order things from them. If a consumer buys a lot of clothing from mail

order catalogues, chances are after a while he or she will start receiving more and more

catalogues to look at, because he or she have been put on a list of people who are

interested in clothing catalogues.

There are, however, many security concerns associated with cookies. One of the

shortfalls of cookies is that they are dependent on the computer on which they are

placed. Just because that computer is visiting a site again, doesn't mean it is the sameuser. This means that, in theory, if one uses a computer to visit a site which uses a cookie

to identify him or her, and then he or she walks away from that computer and someone

else visits the same site, they could get information that is actually meant for the original

user (12)

Another problem is one of privacy. Many users like the internet for its anonymity. The

idea that an individual or organization could actually be tracking where they are going

and what sites they are visiting really bothers some users. The fact that some of this

tracking information could be used for the purpose of making money, by targeting

advertising for instance, also concerns some users. There have also been incidents where

government websites are found to be using cookies. Although these cookies may not be

used to track visitors, the fact that the government could use this method to track users,

concerns many privacy activists (13).

Another concern is the fact that, not only are the web-servers keeping track of which

sites are visited, but so is the computer that the cookies are placed on. On a computer

with a cookie-enabled web browser, the browser creates a text file that keeps track of

cookies. This means that if one wanted to see what sites someone had been to on his

computer he could theoretically take a look at this file and get an idea. This is similar to

the information that is kept by the browser's history list, but in the case of cookies, the

file also may contain information like usernames, passwords, identification numbers, andeven credit card information (although it is considered extremely bad form for internet

designers to use cookies for credit cards) (14).

Cookie security is a large problem. The concern is that many security holes have been

found in different with browsers. Some of these holes were so serious that they allowed

malicious webmasters to gain access to users' email, different passwords, and credit card

information. The worry is that, even though past holes have been patched, there could be

more holes out there (15).

Some also have concerns about the whole system of cookies in the first place. The

general though is that cookies could become accessible to a website which did not issuethem. This would mean, in theory, that a malicious web site designer would be able to


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collect not only the information which is in the cookie he gives the user, but also the

information in all of the cookies on the user's computer. While this may only be theory,

it is still very worrisome to many privacy advocates.

Many users don't even know that cookies exist because they aren't something that the

user really sees. The fact that the general public is not aware of this "threat" to theirprivacy is also a large concern for people in privacy groups. Because cookies are passed

back and forth without ever asking the user for permission, the user is never really made

aware of their existence. It is also important to note that it is possible to refuse cookies,

but the default settings for almost all web browsers allows them with no questions asked.

There are also some e-commerce sites that will not allow a user to buy something

without first turning cookies "on." (16)

Another privacy concern is the fact that some companies have figured out ways to

connect the anonymous clicks of a user to actual personal information which they have

collected. The legality of this kind of action is still being debated, which will be

discussed later. In the case of Doubleclick, the Electronic Privacy Information Centerhas filed a complaint against them alleging that they are infringing on a user's right to

privacy because of their plans to match up identification numbers found in cookies with

names and personal information of the user (17).

It is not just advertisers that worry privacy activists, but also researchers. The

information in and gathered from cookies may be used to do research on controversial

issues such as abortion and gun control. Information could be used to gather information

which will be used by special interest groups without the knowledge of the user (18).

Although there are more pros and cons involved with this issue, these above mentionedissues are at the heart of the matter. Many web site designers use cookies in ways that

benefit the user, perhaps saving the user some time or frustration. But there are also real

dangers involved in the use of cookies which make them a concern among privacy and

internet activists.

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