Our safety on the Internet depends on us too!
Our lives have become unimaginable without the Internet. It has become a powerful tool we use daily, for both professional and personal purposes.
The Internet gives us many opportunities to save time and resources, learn new skills, and re-prioritize values. Still, with the increased use of the Internet, we are witnessing the increased amount of risks coming with it.
Being on social media, and having an online presence has become a regularity, especially among the youngsters. We like seeing what other people do on social media, and to share our photos, insights, and videos so others can see what we are up to.
But do we know what happens with our data once we share them? Do we know which data should or shouldn’t be shared?
Our devices are our connection to others, but do we stop to think about what happens if the things we share online become misused?
Learning how to behave responsibly on the internet, and how to use technology safely is something that should be perceived as an obligation. But an obligation to ourselves since at the end of the day, it is us who can get harmed in the process.
All our actions on the Internet can be and are used for some purposes. The ads you click will feed the algorithms so you will see more similar ads, the music you listen to on YouTube will predetermine music suggestions for you, and so on. And these are just some of the standard things our data are used for. However, what we need to be aware of is that there are malicious people who can misuse our photos, who can use available personal information about us such as our hometown, the school we went to, or where we’ve been yesterday (especially for the people who like to share locations wherever they go).
On the Internet, it is not so hard to become someone else, so we are talking about identity theft. If somebody asks for your credit card information or ID information, do you share it via social media inbox without thinking twice? What happens if somebody uses a simple app (nowadays, there are plenty of them) to crack simple passwords and gain access to your inbox?
These are just some of the questions nations from all over the globe are struggling with on all levels. We must understand that although technology evolves insanely fast, the human factor remains one of the biggest challenges in all aspects.
So it is up to us to protect ourselves, by at least learning the basics on how to be responsible and safe on the internet and still use it according to our needs.
——————————————————————————————————————————————
This text was prepared with the financial support of the European Union. The contents of this text are the sole responsibility of the Metamorphosis Foundation and the author and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.
The project “Increasing Civic Engagement in the Digital Agenda – ICEDA” is implemented by the Metamorphosis Foundation (North Macedonia), e-Government Academy (Estonia), Levizja Mjaft! (Albania), Partners for Democratic Change (Serbia), NGO 35mm (Montenegro) and ODK – Open Data Kosovo (Kosovo). The project is implemented with financial support from the European Union.
Share:
Other blog texts
Every minister boasted and took pictures about the project "One Point for Services" but it never succeeded
28.04.2023
Collage of the visits of government officials to the offices of “One point for services” / Photo: State institutions The offices “One Point for Services” that were opened in Skopje, Kumanovo, Ohrid, Bitola and Tetovo in order for the citizens to say “goodbye” to waiting at the counters, will be closed and in their […]
Protecting Your Digital Identity: The Importance of "Cyber Hygiene"
25.04.2023
In today’s digital age, it’s more important than ever to take steps to protect yourself from cyber threats. From viruses and malware to phishing scams and identity theft, there are a host of risks that can compromise your personal information and wreak havoc on your devices. That’s why practicing good cyber hygiene is essential to […]
Communicating digital transformation to the citizens – an important contribution to bridging the gap
24.04.2023
Digital transformation is changing our lives in ways we could not have imagined even a few decades ago. It has brought new opportunities and challenges, and it is transforming the way we live, work, and communicate with each other. However, communicating digital transformation to citizens can be a challenge, especially in the Western Balkans, where […]
Institutions as a cause of privacy breaches in the media
19.04.2023
Even if competent state authorities disclose private data of a perpetrator or a victim, media must not transmit that information. An error on the part of state authorities does not imply a “permission” for the violation of ethical principles of the profession. This is what the Serbian Journalists’ Code of Ethics says, but media practice […]
"ADA", the digital assistant based on artificial intelligence that will provide the citizens with information about state aid - Meta.mk News Agency
10.04.2023
The digital assistant “ADA”; Photo: Government of the Republic of North Macedonia Investors and citizens will be able to receive information about the state aid programs of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia through the first digital assistant “ADA” which is based on artificial intelligence. This is the information provided by the Cabinet […]
The application of artificial intelligence in state institutions is useful, however it is dangerous if misused - Meta.mk News Agency
09.04.2023
Photo: Pixabay.com Portalb.mk writes that the use of artificial intelligence in the public sector would help to increase the quality of services, to save citizens’ time and money, but also to prevent corruption. However, if AI is used non-transparently, the consequences outweigh the benefits. This is what experts say about the impact of artificial intelligence […]