Paying the Price for the Internet

"Unlimited Access to the Internet for only $40 a month!"

I used to think that was a deal. Cable internet, unlimited access to high-speed surfing of the world wide web. But the BILL for all of this new found "Freedom" has just come in and guess what? I don't think anyone can afford it.

FIRST: Internet Piracy

Whether it be "phishing," where they trick you out of your vital information, or "hacking" where crooks just break into your computer via the net and TAKE your information... the point is that your information is there and ripe for the picking. Social Security Number, Credit Information, Bank Information, PERSONAL Information... all of it is subject to the whimsy of unscrupulous people around the world. They could at least have the decency to show up with crow bar in hand to break in through a window, but nooooo... In the middle of the night, while we sleep, your money is wired through an ATM in "Solvania" or some such place... never to be seen again.

How do you prosecute that? You can't. Kiss it good-bye.

SECOND: Internet Espionage

Through spy-ware and viruses and God only knows whatelse, companies around the world watch, wait and listen to your every key-stroke to see what products you are interested in, why and work on ways to manipulate that into a profit. Surf on Amazon.com much? "They" want to know why, what do you buy, look for, need... then get out there and market it straight to you via Spam or other means. And this is the tip of the iceberg. Who's to say that someone can't hack in to your computer and check out your room via that dinky little camera on your monitor? of listen in on your conversations that you have via a headset and internet game?

Spying on US isn't the half of it. I'm barely cracking the book on things people haven't even thought of yet... things to take advantage of Joe Public: Me and You.

THIRD: FREEDOM SUBJUGATION

According to the New York Times, May 3, 2005:

Congress is moving quickly toward setting strict rules on how states issue driver's licenses, requiring them to verify whether each applicant for a new license or a renewal is in this country legally.

A House and Senate conference now taking place has included the requirements, which apply to all 50 states and other jurisdictions that issue licenses, in a supplemental appropriations bill for Iraq, aides involved in the process said on Monday. The draft legislation will be completed in the next few days and is all but certain to pass.

In plain english,"National Driver's License." States would no longer have a choice on how testing for driver's licenses would be done; the federal government would decide. "So, what's the big deal?" Thanks for asking. The big deal is: National Archive on every man, woman and child in the United States.

Through the implementation of a National Driver's License program, everyone that drives in the United States would be on record, accessible via any and every police organization in the nation. IF THIS IS NOT ABUSED, then it can be a good thing. Child molesters on the run can be more easily identified and found. Criminals will be easier to identify. Parents that "steal" their own kids and move to another state will be found easily. The list knows no end.

But see the problem? If this is NOT abused... but it would be very easy to. Journalists meeting with secret sources can be tracked easily and sources can be found out. Slip a little GPS chip into a National Driver's License, and you know exactly... EXACTLY where everyone in the U.S. is. Sure, you can leave your license at home, but if you get pulled over... you could become suspect of foul play and then investigated.

You think I'm joking?
You think this is too Orwellian?
You think this whole thing is a bit off the mark and over-exaggerated?

Well, I hope your right. And granted, I do have the flu and am taking about 6 to 10 different things for it (cough drops included). But... wouldn't you rather be on the look out for such ideas, and never see them come about, than to never suspect such things and become a victim???

Discuss.