Monday, 1 April 2013

Topic 3 – Security and Privacy

It seems like everyday in the news i read or hear about another scam taking place online, So how can you increase your chance of not getting scammed?

  • Use passwords that are hard to guess avoid nicknames, important dates and pets names as these can be easily picked, try using a password with a combination of words letters and symbols as these all increase the strength of the password
  • Scam emails are common, If it sounds to good to be true - it more than likely is, don't clink links or send information.
  • Never Ever give out your bank details to a site that isn't trustworthy and secure.
  • its not just computers we need to think about, these days everyone uses smart phones, tools such as pass code locks on phones are important as we now store more personal information on mobile phones then ever before. 


Question One.

See if you can find an example of a privacy breach that was reported in the Australian or international news in the last 6 months. What were the consequences? i.e. legal, political, financial, personal etc. What action was taken in response to the privacy breach?

On the 15th of March 2013 Google was fined $7million for a privacy breach that saw them using a snoopy software program that enabled them to intercept emails, passwords and other sensitive information such as bank details, insurance policies etc that were sent several years ago over unprotected wireless networks in neighborhoods across the world. 
The software was designed to track where people were using wireless connections for googles research purposes but instead traced and share peoples personal data with others and on site accidentally.
Although the information was not intentionally leaked it didn't stop people asking what where they collecting data like that and storing it for in the first place. Google was forced to destroy all information it gathered in the breach and pay the fine.
it makes me wonder how a organisation with the slogan "Don't Be Evil" got its self caught up in such a scandal.
Further information can be found in this article

What AmI technologies are identified in the case?


  • AMI collects data about individuals from hundreds of sources and then sells the aggregated data back to many of those sources (insurance companies, retail chains, media conglomerates,credit-reporting agencies, mobile phone companies, law enforcement agencies, customs and immigration authorities, and intelligence agencies). 
  • They have managed to side step legislation and constraints as they merge with other companies.


What drives DMC’s officers to take the actions they took?

  • The biggest driver was money, there clients were willing to pay big money for the information


DMC is the clear market leader in the aggregation of AmI data. Are there any comparisons you can make to technology companies today?

  • i searched the web but couldn't find anything relevant to other companies doing this although i do believe there are others doing this i just don't know who
How realistic is the description of governments using the technology and prohibiting immigration from states with no AmI data aggregation information?


  • It's called personal information for a reason its personal, if people don't want this information shared then it shouldn't be shared.


List some of the ‘unintended consequences’ described in the case.
  • They obviously didn't intend on the public finding out what was going on.
  • That the information would be stolen
  • They would be taken to court

Friday, 15 March 2013

Topic Two


1) Listen to the podcast on Navigation which can be found on the Digital Enterprise Page (Google – the digital enterprise).

Managing the Digital Enterprise - Michael Rappa - Navigating the Web.


a) What are the four (4) main points Michael Rappa makes about search? 

1) Data Storage: He discussed how data storage and collection have made it easier for business's not only to store data but also collect it. Data collection on a computer is a much faster and economical way to collect data as apposed to pen and paper. He also discussed how storing data on a computer is much more cost efficient and effective way.
"The speed and declining cost of data collection, storage and transmission provide amble opportunities for managers to make decisions based on empirical data and analysis."(Rappa, 2005)
2) Promotional/Advertising Purposes: The Internet allows businesses to promote their business online, businesses are now using the Internet to reach future customers, promote their products and brand and to communicate with current and future clients. 
Dealing with search based advertising, 


3) Search Engines: He discusses the importance of search engines and explains how its a combination of key words, text and images that are compiled to deliver the results you are looking for. 

"The popularity of sites like Google and Yahoo has given them a unique status because they serve users as a point of entry to the web. Knowing how they work is key to understanding how to search and how to be found on the web."(Rappa, 2005)
4) Search Based Advertising: he discussed how rapidly this is expanding.
"How do i tie in the process of someone looking for something, with the opportunity of companies wanting to advertise something"

Rappa, Podcast

Rappa,M.(2005). Managing the Digital Enterprise. Retrieved on March 8, 2013 from the Digital Enterprise website: http://digitalenterprise.org/navigation/nav.html


b) Watch or read the Marissa Mayer interview. Marissa says ‘search is in its infancy’. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? What is your personal experience with search?  There are no right or wrong answers here, I just want your opinion.



I agree that search is still in its infancy, with technology changing all the time this means search will be changing with it, advancements will be made to suit the current technology. My personal experience with search is a positive experience, having the ability to locate what you want quickly makes life so much easier.

2) Please watch the Bill Joy video, and it will give you a good background to the Internet and particularly to the emergence of the World Wide Web.


a) So what are the 6 webs?

  • The Near Web -- that is emerging around the smaller screen, the laptop
  • The Here Web -- the smart phone, the mobile screen
  • The Far Web -- TV and lean back technologies
  • The Weird Web -- the smart, intelligent interface that knows what your body does and can read you
  • The B2B Web -- what happens on Wall Street, taking over how business interacts
  • The D2D Web --smart censors that manage environment and how they relate

b) Could there be more?

Joy expresses deep concerns over the development of modern technologies.

c) What does it mean for business?

This means business can now reach a wider audience with the greater exposure its gained. 

Wednesday, 6 March 2013

Topic One.



1) Internet risks – give examples of four things that can go wrong with a transactional site?

Orders details can be entered incorrectly
A lot of people have concerns about Internet security, sites need to be constantly checked to ensure personal information isn't been shared
Technical issues can occur meaning businesses can lose sales. For examples - Sites may crash, slow connections etc
possibility of purchasing from a fake of fraudulent website, or item may not be to the standard the customer expected

A transactional site is a website that allows you to complete a full transaction, there is a connection between the business and the customer. For example Amazon and eBay are transactional sites.


2) Write down a definition for each:

E-commerce: (electric Commerce) is the process of buying and selling of a product or service over the Internet, this allows people to purchase goods with out having to leave the house
E-business: is the conducting of business on the Internet (hence Internet business) not only buying and selling, but also serving customers and collaborating with business partners. A good example is eBay which is a Internet business.


3) What is the difference between buy side and sell side eCommerce?

Buy side e-commerce is when a business organisation buys product from another business like a supplier or manufacturer.
Sell side e-commerce is when a business sells a product or service using the internet and and webpage.

Buy Side - Sell Side


4) Describe the different types of eBusiness




Figure taken from:
03/03/2013


5) Which digital technology has the highest penetration rate? Explain and source your answer.


The Smart Phone: 50% penetration rate in less than ten years. This is because the smartphone offers so much more than any other phone, it allows you full access to the internet, take/make calls/texts/emails etc at any time anywhere.

6) Four drivers to adoption of sell-side e-commerce by business.

Expansion of their market
Decrease amount of inventory needed
Reduced Costs
Reduced risk of Cost

7) Four barriers to adoption of sell-side e-commerce by business.

Lack of time and resources
Lack of knowledge
Cost
Both parties need to be tech savvy

8) How might a restaurant benefit from an online presence?

A restaurant would benefit greatly from a online presence, personally i know I'm always 'googleing' places to eat and those places without a online presence don't get a look in. It gives customers the ability to see operating hours, specials, read menu's online and in some cases even allows you to book online. I think all restaurants should have a online presence to stay in the game.

9) What are some examples of Digital information?

Computers
Mobile phones/Tables
TV's
CD's/DVD's
Text
Music
Images/Pictures
Videos
E-Books


10) What is the semantic web? Are we there yet?

The Semantic Web is the extension of the World Wide Web that enables people to share content beyond the boundaries of applications and websites. Semantic Web

No, I don't feel we have a semantic web yet as the web is still dominated by search engines such as Google and Bing which require you to sift through information to find the correct thing.

PENA

Describe whether your experience of completing the PENA was positive or negative and give your reasons for your answer.

The experience with PENA was positive. It didn't take very long and most of the questions were easy to understand and answer.

Could you suggest an alternative delivery method for the PENA utilising any alternative media and/or technologies? Include any additional comments you may have

Possibly implementing the use of Video, as some people absorb more watching a video rather than reading.

Monday, 4 March 2013

Yo!


Hi Everyone! I'm Courtney, I am currently studying a Bachelor of Management  (Human Resource Management) at the University of Ballarat. 


This blog is a requirement of the e-Business class i'm taking. Over the next 12 weeks you can expect to find information relating to the world of e-Business including class questions and anything else i deem necessary to share. 


I'm fairly new to this blogging business so feel free to drop me some feedback.

Peace XO