Author Archives: lingling.yang

Another important warning I have gotten from this course is being careful with internet security. I am much more careful with my purchases online, because I understand that more and more hackers are penetrating the computers of numerous corporations. Identity theft is widespread and there are little that we can do. Utensils that hackers use include spoofing, trojans, denial of service attacks, and phishing. Making matters worse, our textbook has identified many corporations who has not aligned their strategic goals with IT security. I feel paranoid whenever I make purchases online now. I believe consumers should not make purchases online unless corporations can protect us from these security breaches.

After finishing the class, I am much more aware of the behaviors of corporations. It is very saddening to know that corporations can know so much about people using data mining to learn more about the behaviors of consumers. I am aware more than ever that every time I finish my purchases in department stores, the sales associate will usually ask me if I want to give them information in order to receive a membership card. Days afterwards, my mailbox will be bombarded with numerous coupons from different companies I have never heard of. I am guessing these companies are affiliated in someways. I find these behaviors unethical and very damaging to the trusts of consumers. I understand through CIS that companies want to forecast consumer behavior, but there should be a limit to how much information they can collect from us.