• Question: Do you think that the youth of today really understand the significance of security when online? And how are you planning on educating and addressing the importance of security when online and in online relationships?

    Asked by anon-204919 to David, Dan on 5 Mar 2019.
    • Photo: David Chadwick

      David Chadwick answered on 5 Mar 2019:

      No I do not think that the youth, middle aged or elderly really understand the lack of security when they are online. They think that when they say or store things online it is secret. But it is not. You should regard anything you say or store on the Internet is public information that could be revealed to anyone anywhere at any time.
      Watch this video if you do not believe me

      When I taught security at the university I made it very clear to my students what the risks are, and what countermeasures they should take.
      I hope that everyone who participates in I’m a Scientist and reads my chats will gain something from what I say. And it will be even better if they are encouraged to become a computer scientist and will specialise in Internet security, because there is a severe shortage of security professionals.

    • Photo: Dan Taylor

      Dan Taylor answered on 6 Mar 2019:

      I can’t say much about security more generally but I can probably talk about online relationships a little more.
      I think with tv shows like Catfish about, people are more generally aware about the possibility of things like fake profiles and to some extent are really savvy. But likewise I think that because young people in particular, have never really known a life without technology, it sometimes seems more mundane that it really is! David has elaborated more than myself (being honest I am a little bit of a tehcnophobe!) so I would probably focus more on what he has to say!

Comments