Singapore: A Prime Target for Online Cyber Crime

In the news report, it stated that Singapore is a prime target for online cyber crime due to Singapore's global profile and overall affluence.

This may not be truly surprising to one as when it comes to technology, Singapore can be said to be one of the most improvised country so as to keep up with the pace of other technologically-advanced countries such as Japan, United States, and also with the number of MNCs set up here. Furthermore, there were reports saying that Singapore aims to be a technology hub, and the introduction of e-learning in schools. This serves to prove the above statement about our global profile and affluence.

In addition, with every company having operated via the computers and internet, and business deals done via emails, webcam and documentated on the desktop, it is easy to understand why we are most vulnerable to such crimes. This is because not every user is aware of the key security factors to look out for when doing any transactions or deals online but almost every user would know how to make a online deal or transaction with a click of the "mouse".

Besides, in the article it also stated that MessageLabs block out 3 times more malicious domains for its Singapore domains than the global average. This again, goes to prove the vulnerability that Singapore's businesses might face with such high percentile of web threats.

Below is a table showing the average web threats blocked by MessageLabs, April to August 2009:

Furthermore, with the introduction of e-learning in schools and also the point that most local children are introduced to the computers and internet at a very young age, it is no wonder that Singapore is the prime target.

Although these young users might be highly efficient in the usage of computers, they are also the easy targets of online criminals. This is because in my opinion, they would be less cautious than the older users due to the limited amount of information and exposure that they receive due to age limit, but are also the ones that spend great amount of time in front of the screen. Thus, they might simply click onto links which seem interesting to them or those that heightens their curiosity.

These illustrated that although computers and internet might aid in one's convenience but one must also be aware of the threats that it might pose.

http://www.mediabuzz.com.sg/asian-emarketing/november-december-2009/718-singapore-a-prime-target-for-online-cyber-crime

Maps

Google Maps

In the previous lesson we have been introduced to the many functions of that google.com can provide us with. Thus, by now we would have known what can Google Maps do for us.
Google Maps is a basic web mapping service application and technology provided by Google.
However, other than Google.com which provides such a service, there is in fact another website that does the similiar thing too.
The website that I am going to introduce would be streetdirectory.com.

Streetdirectory.com
Just like the Google Maps it provides websurfers with the Singapore map, and also both the photos and satellite views. Other than that it has also has catergories for easy access to one's searches such as restaurants, properties, etc, in a single webpage.
Unlike Google maps where one has to key in the searches, instead with a simple click at perhaps "Restaurants", suggestions are available for those who are clueless of where to have their meals, and also suggestions for the type of food that they can choose from. For instance, there are catergories such as Fast Food, Asian,etc. Thus, one does not has to have a place in mind to do the search.
Furthermore, there is a scroll at the side of the map which is divided into 3 sections- "Country", "City", "Street". Thus, for example if one is to scroll to the "city" section, the map would cite all the cities in Singapore, and with little red triangles indicating the restaurants available at each city. Therefore, the only thing one has to do is to simply click at one of the red triangles at one of the cities to have a list of the restaurants cited at the side of the webpage.

After one has chosen the prefered restaurant for dining, the next step would be to click on the restuarant's name to have access to its details such as location and contact numbers.

http://www.streetdirectory.com/

http://www.streetdirectory.com/restaurants/

In conclusion, I find streetdirectory.com a more convenient webpage for searches rather than google maps. This is because all the possible searches are clearly cited in the webpage, thus it is more accessible for those who are not that efficient with technology.

E-Learning - The right way to go?

Today, in the 21st century it is all about innovation and technology. Even schools are now trying to engage students in more IT-interactive work, rather than the plain pen and paper work like before. However, how effective is this in comparison to the traditional way of learning?

Despite the fact that in today's era it is all about technology and going e-learning, in actual fact I am not really supportive about this idea, especially when it is being implemented in primary schools. In one of the news report, one of the ministers had been quoted saying that in Chinese learning today it is more important that the students know how to recognise the words rather than to write them. Therefore, using e-learning for characters recognition is the more effective method even for those who are weak in chinese. However, I beg to differ. This is because what is the point of learning if one does not know how to write? It is just like asking one to recognise English words but is unable to write or type them out, which then defeats the purpose of learning. The purpose of learning should be to allow one to be to apply the knowledge effectively.

Furthermore, I do not feel that just by looking at a simple screen n clicking the cursor one would benefit much from it. This is because during my primary school days, there were lessons where my teacher actually used the cds to aid in our learning. This was suppose to be in line with the trend of e-learning. However, I have absolutely no idea on what I was learning or rather what I am suppose to gain from the activity. The whole thing was merely a game to me than involves the cursor.

Besides, e-learning also meant the involvement of learning and working on the computer, with notes and all done online. Although this meant that one has greater accessibilty and convenience, one has to bear in mind that the computer is afterall just a gadget. Therefore, if the gadget actually turns faulty, than it would mean "doomsday" for one. This is because one would not have access to one's notes, and there is almost nothing one can do other than waiting for the gadget to be repaired.

Moreover, in some cases it is easier to learn and do work using papers rather than using the computers. This is in fact an opinion that I heard from a group of teenagers' conversation. They commented that it is easier to get things done via pen and paper rather than having to type them. This is something that I can understand, as can you imagine having to do math or chemistry online? I had experienced that, and with all the symbols that one would have to find a way to type them on the screen, it would perhaps be much easier and faster to just write them down. Moreover, with the notes in hand they can actually revise their work almost anywhere, rather than having to carry a laptop around, hoping that the battery does not go flat anytime soon.

In conclusion, in my opinion, e-learning should not be the focus of today's way of education but serve as a extra access for students to attain more information from.