The Dark Side of Connectivity:
Understanding Technostress and Cyber Vulnerabilities
Since the turn of the century, the online evolution has exploded. Today, we’re all interconnected online and most of us can’t get enough of it. Many visionaries like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and many others have paved the way for the way we experience our online happiness today. Furthermore, situations like the Corona crisis, the conjected roads, rising fuel prices, … have even accelerated that process.
Millions of people in the Western world depend on this interconnectivity and seem oblivious to the far-reaching consequences. Absolutely, it has many advantages, but it has also made us more vulnerable to technostress in its many forms. Which could in a mild fear and even can become a full-blown paranoiac psychotic breakdown.
And somehow the question lingers in my mind, have we not all become reliant to the little ping that announces a new message? Are we really prepared for the hidden traps that linger in the darkness of the cloud?
In the last few days, I was forced to take a step back and observe powerlessly how my telecom service provider had cut me off due to their administrative internal procedures. People have been unable to contact me, and I couldn’t reach out.
On the other hand, a hacker had compromised my smartphone, computer and network. I was truly held hostage by the circumstances and couldn’t do anything about it. Even me, as a coach and IT System Engineer is sometimes powerless against the relentless attempts of conscious less hackers to gain access to data for their personal agenda.
Many companies like Meta, Google, Microsoft, Amazon and many others are providing us with free products to improve our happiness and well-being, but what is its impact on our authenticity and social life? Do they truly keep track of their ‘products’ or are we forced to participate in the never-ending cycle to purchase new products in order to feel secure?
Vulnerabilities WhatsApp
A small example, the security of WhatsApp is actually compromised. The registration procedure is rather simple and just requires an active phone number to become registered. But what if that phone number is cancelled and the WhatsApp account isn’t? It can still be used and that’s a vulnerability that many hackers use. Is Meta (Holding behind Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, …) even aware of this or am I the first whistle-blower? Could it be their business strategy that we have to pay for these services in the future? Basically, we can’t even trust the people who contacts us over that medium.
Another example, did you know that there are no more cell phones available these days that don’t have a data connection which hold a potential backdoor for hackers? Have we become completely dependant on the safety measurements of our telecom operators to ensure our fundamental personal safety?
Lastly, it has become a tendency that governments have developed online platforms to simplify their administration and increase transparency for their inhabitants. In Belgium and I guess this also applies to most countries worldwide these days, almost every administrative aspect can be performed online. These projects are always on a budget, which is logical by itself, but it also implies that the development is being done by the cheapest service provider possible. Who takes responsibility if something goes wrong?
In the last few days, it has also become clear to me that Law Enforcement is almost powerless against cybercrime. When I asked for advice, they explicitly said: “We can’t act without solid evidence and that had to be provided by a recognised expert.” When I inquired further, these experts said that it cost about €5000 to do an audit and to provide a report. Who has these means? Most people don’t and that opens up options to cybercrime.
Governments have the responsibility to take care of their subjects, but are they really doing a good job? Or just attempting to remain afloat in an ever-evolving world restrained by financial means and laws on privacy?
Are we just experiencing the consequences of what has become an uncontrollable evolution?
To be very honest, it really makes me feel rather pessimistic, especially with the looming treat of a potential World War where countries like Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, … are massing their armies and fighting the war on different fronts, and I guess it’s safe to say that this war is already being fought online.
The implications are far reaching! For me and my business the financial and practical security implications have been severe.
But what if this were to happen to the layman? They will become completely socially isolated, increasing their already vulnerable position. Some may even resort to uncontrollable emotional reactions…
And yet, every dark cloud has its silver lining when you can answer the question: “What can be learned from this?” In the next blogposts, I will provide :
- A guideline to build your online strategy
- A short step-by-step plan to recover your online world after you’ve been hacked.
- Some suggestions to date online in a safe manner.
Cybercrime is exploding worldwide, and Law Enforcement is unable to keep up with the criminals. It comes down to our self-consciousness to protect ourselves against this form of technostress. We all make our own choices, and I can offer advice if you’re struggling with your technical boundaries. Just reach out if you need a hand.
These blog articles complete the Cybercrime series, click on the following links to keep on reading.
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