Internet Needs More Rules and Regulations - Essay Example

Internet Needs More Rules and Regulations The Internet is simply a connection of various computer networks that facilitate the transfer of information (Roberts & Zahay 419). Internet has become a world-wide global tool of communication, business, education, security, and research. Internet use has risen recently over the years. There are approximately forty million internet users in the United States of America (Finklea 25). Internet use has shot rapidly in the recent years at average monthly rate of ten per cent it is a significant source of information globally. More internet regulations is essential to protect the users privacy and promote business growth. The widespread use of the internet network administration is crucial for reliable access to the network (Kranakis et.al 176). The extensive use has resulted to conflicts among the users and administrators thus necessitating for rules to regulate on the internet usage. For example, different server systems are in use over a wide range of networks. Therefore, the basic rules that apply to society also apply in electronic form. The protection against plagiarism applies to protect information whether obtained from devices such as diskettes or internet sources (Grama 328). There are a number of mindboggling matters that still remain a puzzle in the electronic world hence calling for the need of more rules and regulations in the use of internet (Grama 330). For example, vandalism on the internet is unlike that in the real world context but is as well bound to undergo the same security check since in this particular case a user’s information is ’broken into’ hence resulting into what may be called information leakage of what would be rather very confidential issues (Himma 21). It is of importance, therefore, that rules and regulations are taken into consideration in this rapidly growing technological world. The internet is highly prone to electronic malpractices since it is a decentralized system spread out to very many users worldwide (Roberts & Zahay 422). There is no particular person, company, organization or users that can have full control of the internet. Therefore, rules and regulations are essential to regulate the use of internet. Internet users experience a number of threats whether as organizations with a large server network or as individuals’ clients (Himma 36). The Computer Emergency Response Team an, organization that guards the internet explains how computer hackers are exploiting the internet users through internet protocol spoofing whereby they counteract security measures by posing as “friendly computers” to an internal network and adopting an IP address similar to those of the internal computers thereby allowing the cracker into the system (Grama 339). This way the cracker alters a configured firewall and can hence access unauthorised information from the target computer network. Such malpractices are increasingly becoming a menace to the innocent users and, therefore, rules and regulations to counter such are necessary. Most of the internet servers are open system architectures such as UNIX which can be compared to a house with many open windows and doors and unstable floorboards hence instability and discomfort (Finklea 26). Such system is prone to a number of intrusions from stubborn users with selfish motives. For example, hacking incorporates unnecessary malware such as computer viruses into computers through the internet hence posing a great threat to the data users (Himma 39). Since the main use of the Internet is to send and receive information, regulation is essential to safeguard users against malicious internet users. Apart from communication, the internet has grown to be a hub of commercial activities through online banking, marketing and also shopping (Roberts & Zahay 425). However, there is an alarming threat to security of business information that is transmitted and communicated through business transactions. For example, some employees hack their company’s database and locks up the information with a complicated code prohibiting further business transactions and demoralising the company’s activities thus plunging the company into a huge loss. Also, there are issues of credit card scams whereby the hackers intercept credit card transactions online (Grama 342). Such malpractices are increasingly becoming popular in the e-commerce world thus calling for regulation of the internet use. Similarly, messages via Email are continuously intruded through spoofing programs thus resulting to illegal access of users’ accounts. The crackers are able to access individuals and organizations information or through a process known as internet eavesdropping (Kranakis et.al 183). Therefore, there is a loss of privacy guarantee to any information. The internet has been used for illegal activities such as homicides and paedophile (Finklea 26). This is highly regarded unethical and immoral in society. It is also an offence and calls for regulation of the internet use in order to reduce the rate of such crimes. The issue of copyright with regard to software and files on the internet requires regulations against illegal use (Winkler 98). For example, there is an increase in copying and downloading of software and applications from the internet without the developer’s authorisation. The unauthorized use of online research publications is immoral since it affects the producers’ market and kills creativity thus it should be regulated. It is allowed for the information to be disseminated in electronic form for short term use but not for commercial purposes hence it is not allowed to duplicate information and make it available for Internet use. It is of importance to note that due to unregulated internet use, the internet is proving to be of more harm than good (Winkler 143). Technological measures have been taken to regulate the internet malpractices such as creating a firewall between the Internet and networks to be protected. These result to loss of functionality of computer systems for the intended use. Also, there is an attempt of combining the router and firewall but the approach is inefficient since data transmitted based on the header thus causing inefficiency and demand for technological advancement to counter the internet malpractices. The rules and regulations have been established to control the internet users by the administrators. For example, in the United States of America, the universal copyright rule forbids unnecessary duplication of intelligence material posted on the internet for commercial purposes (Grama 346). The rule declares that the protection of information begins when the information “is in fixed form." Furthermore, over the years the Congress has passed laws concerning security and privacy over the internet that counteract random unethical access to data available on the internet (Winkler 164). An example of such laws includes the Computer Fraud and Abuse act that prohibits fraudulent networking. Also, the Telecommunications Act and Communications Decency Act that monitors information that is available on the internet via online services (Grama 349). This Acts is intended to curb the internet malpractices to increase the efficiency of the internet and build confidence among the internet users. In conclusion, the Internet aims at facilitating communication. This involves sharing of services, emails, open discussions through social networking and cultural interactions. It gives people wide opportunities for work, interaction and learning. Since it is a tremendously changing avenue, there is a need to regulate its use so that it serves its purpose efficiently. There is a need for ethics and an acceptable moral code which is the major problem with the use of internet. This calls for rules and regulations to control internet use so that it keeps serving its purpose. This does not necessarily call for a legal framework but could mean organizations are enforcing policies amongst themselves. For example, there is a need to create awareness of internet ethics, and come up with electronic mail privacy policies. This forms part of the regulations to govern internet use. Works Cited Finklea, Kristin, M. “The Identity Theft: Trends and Issues.” DIANE Publishing, (2010): 25- 27. Grama, Joanna. “Legal Issues in Information Security.”USA:Jones & Bartlett Publishers, (2010): 326-368 Himma, Kenneth, E. “Internet Security: Hacking, Counter-hacking, and Society.” Jones & Bartlett Learning, (2007): 10-57 Kranakis, E., Shahbazian, E. & Haroutunian, E. “Aspects of Network and Information Security.”Netherlands, IOS Press, (2008): 176-211 Roberts, Mary & Zahay, Debra. “Internet Marketing: Integrating Online and Offline Strategies.” USA: Cengage Learning, (2012). 419-439 Winkler, Vic. “Securing the Cloud: The Cloud Computer Security Techniques and Tactics.”USA: Elsevier, (2011). 23-269. Read More