As organizations and individuals interconnect and become dependent upon information systems, security and privacy threats arise. We are all too familiar with criminal schemes to exploit these interconnected systems. Thieves have stolen files with credit card and other information on countless individuals. Millions of computers are innocently running “zombie” software, which can be used to mass mail spam (unsolicited email) or flood a target server with fake information requests in denial of service attacks. Criminals impersonate banks or other organizations in phishing schemes designed to trick users into logging onto their Web sites and divulging sensitive information. Governments also wage “information warfare” in trying to access and compromise other government and military systems.
Efforts to protect the privacy of honest individuals may be in conflict with efforts of governments and law enforcement agencies trying to gather intelligence on terrorists or criminals. For example, Skype Internet telephony software encrypts conversations. This protects the privacy of honest citizens discussing sensitive family or business matters, but it also protects criminals. Government agencies now have the technical capability to track purchases, Internet searches, Web site visits, etc. of individuals or large groups of people.
These concerns impede the acceptance of information technology and its applications. They also raise the cost and reduce the efficiency of those that are implemented.
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