The use of technology in our everyday lives has become commonplace, and even essential for a vast majority of people. For businesses, the use of technology is critical. Without current technology businesses are at an extreme disadvantage, certainly within industry competition, as well as daily operations. Technology has the ability to create valuable competitive advantages, which are beneficial to the beholder and can be detrimental to competitors. While technological advances have created numerous opportunities, those advances have also created many threats for both businesses and individuals.
Businesses and individuals have become accustomed to technology, and dependent upon its many benefits. However, many users are not yet as familiar with the security threats that have been brought by new technology. Hackers are constantly inventing new ways to scam unsuspecting users, or steal valuable information from unprotected businesses. Security threats are not a new development; even before the infiltration of technology, businesses had to ensure that their important documents were secured from outside threats. While security programs for computers have become almost standard, users still do not fully understand how easily their information can be stolen.
Among users, there is not a lack of awareness to security threats, rather a general overestimation of what it means to be secure. In some situations, security programs create a false sense of security. Users are concerned with keeping their computers secure, but are not always careful with how they handle their personal information or how they provide their information over the Internet. The importance of security has escalated since the increase in smart mobile devices. Many users do not view security in the same manner for their smartphones as their computers or laptops.
For some users, smartphones have become more integrated into their daily routines than computers. Smartphones have become computers on the go for many people. On their mobile devices, users have the ability to shop, book reservations, and bank, which are just a few uses of personal information on these devices. Many smartphone users remain logged in to their social networking sites and email accounts on their phones. Also, smartphones store contact information for personal as well as business contacts, schedules, and a variety of other forms of personal information. Computer security awareness has increased among users; however, smartphone users need to be more vigilant in protecting their devices from security threats. Smartphone users can take simple measures to protect their devices such as using a password to lock their mobile devices or logging out of social networking sites instead of remaining constantly online. All consumers of technology need to be aware of the security risks associated with any electronic device accessing the Internet, rather than focusing only on the security risks associated with computers.
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