Computer Science Hackers

The Internet was meant to set us free. But have we unwittingly handed too much away to shadowy powers behind a wall of code, all manipulated by a handful of Silicon Valley utopians, ad men, and venture capitalists? And, in light of recent data breach scandals around companies like Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, what does that mean for democracy, our delicately balanced system of government that was created long before big data, total information, and artificial intelligence? In this urgent polemic, Jamie Bartlett argues that through our unquestioning embrace of big tech, the building blocks of democracy are slowly being removed.

Life has never been easier thanks to the advancement of technology. However, with all new technological advancements also come new risks. The most drastically increasing issue in the world today is not biological warfare, but cyber warfare. Data has become the single most valuable commodity in today’s world, and, of course, there are always people lurking around the corner, trying to get their hands on it.

When cybersecurity expert Jake Braun challenged hackers at DEFCON, the largest hacking conference in the world, to breach the security of an American voting machine, a hacker in Europe conquered the task in less than two minutes. From hacking into voting machines to more mundane, but no less serious problems, America's democracy faces unprecedented tests from within and without.

Cybersecurity experts agree: No one security measure is foolproof to defend against attacks. Ransomware is a new threat. It comes from nowhere and can potentially lock you out of your data and applications until a ransom is paid, making it difficult to recover. These cybercriminals are extremely skilled and motivated. They want to access as much confidential personal information as possible. Security specialists recommend using every tool at your disposal, including draconian measures like backups, encrypting data files, redacting sensitive information on your devices and firewalls.