Cloaked Websites

In our discussion in class today on cloaked websites, I began to think of examples of other cloaked websites that I know of. A cloaked website is defined by Jessie Daniels as "sites that disguise any number of political agendas, but not limited to cyber-racism." One type that I thought of were websites that are known as "pro-ana" or "pro-mia" websites. These sites are made by people affected with the eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia . If you were to type into Google, pro-ana (pro-anorexia) or pro-mia (pro-bulimia) you find a plethora of sites to choose from. Some of the links lead you an opening page saying it is for support for treatment, but really it is a cover up for people who support having or wanting to have the eating disorder. The sites are filled with tips and tricks for people who are, or want to have an eating disorder. Message boards are filled with sickening advice, from people all over the country, such as how to properly starve your self. These type of sites I guess would be categorized by Daniels as 'white' propaganda sites. This is because the creators identify themselves and eventually their mission. Although they are being truthful in that sense, they are filling their website visitors head with nonsense, in the same way a racist website would. Although we have freedom of speech, these types of websites I would consider a form of cyber-terrorism for the way they are hurting people with their sick support.

Daniels also explains the use of cloaked websites by large companies such as Wal-mart. Called 'astroturfing' companies create fake websites in hopes of bettering their public image. For example, they created a site that looked as if it was made by Wal-mart customers and employees that wanted to thank the company for what they have brought to their families. This would be categorized as a 'black' website by Daniels.

When I thought about other 'black' websites that I might know of, I thought of the thriller film "The Fourth Kind". The film is supposedly based on real events and people, which of course makes a story about alien abductions more scart, and thus more attractive to go out and see. When I tried to look whether or not the story was really real online, the first link that I was brought too by Google, was one that looked legitimate at first. The website had a news story and even links to documents. But after more investigation I found out it was made by the movie studio that made the film. This showed me how prevalent cloaked websites are and how cautious we have to be in viewing websites because we never know what we may stumble upon...

Cyberterrorism

Recently there has been much discussion on all different types of cyberattacks. The January suicide of a 16 year old girl over cyberbullying made the world look at the internet much more seriously. The fact that one of the students involved in the incident had the nerve to post "accomplished" on the victims Facebook wall after the news of her suicide, shows just how disconnected people feel from their actions on the internet. A recent article in the New York Times said that the website Google was the victim of a cyberattack of their own. Apparently the hackers gained access to all of Googles password systems which contains users personal information such as their email activity. A source says that with one MSN instant message sent to one of the operators of Google, contained a "poisoned link" disguised as an advertisement. With one click by that operator, somehow all of those important Google internet files were obtained by an outside source.

This is the link to the article if you would like to read it. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/technology/20google.html?scp=2&sq=google&st=cse

There have been many more examples of cyberattacks affecting different parties around the world. Whether one person is being victimized or one of the most successful companies on the internet, everyone is at risk of being harmed. It is extremely scary to think that there is such a thing as online criminals that have the ability of remaining unknown to the outside world. The fact that you could be fooled or hurt by someone on the other side of the world or right down your street through the internet without ever knowing is a current issue our generation has to deal with.

Online Democracy?

This week I showed the class two websites that allows its users to participate in their very own online debates. The website convinceme.net has three basic debating sections, entitled Open, Battle, and King of the Hill. Each of these sections allow its users to give their arguments for every topic up for a debate including, Gay Marriage and even "Is the Easter bunny real?". Viewers of the website then have a chance to vote on who they think won the argument, by giving them a point. The second website I showed was called onlinedebate.net. This website seems to be less used by serious online debaters. The website allows one user to post a debate and then anyone who wants to argue it can post in the arguments thread. Therefore, fifty different people can be involved in the debate.

According to Sunstein the internet is detrimental to the future of our democracy and preventing us to hear different viewpoints. Personally, I think that websites like convinceme.net and onlinedebate.net, show that people are interested in hearing other peoples points of view. Although the internet makes it easier for people of like-minds to come together, it also makes it easier for people of different views and opinions to hear outside views as well.