Is computer science and technology a double-edged sword? Computer science is probably the most significant technology since the industrial revolution, but nevertheless has some potential social problems. For example, if we were to take an ATM and explain the advantages and disadvantages, the disadvantages prove far greater than the advantages. The most talked about social issue with ATMs is the impact on employment. ATMs have easily taken a couple thousand jobs from hard-working citizens because you don't need someone there to withdraw or deposit any money. Some other problems with ATMs and other computer science related hardware/software include crime, privacy, and dependability. So, in your mind, are ATM's a good or bad expansion to the world? Of course, there are plenty many benefits to computers, which include but are not limited to automation, identification systems, reduced paper use, and enhanced experiences. We reserve the right to ask so many questions about the social problems of computers and computer science. For example, what are some jobs that have been taken and replaced by computers? Even, what are some jobs that didn't exist before computers? Computerization and work has come a long way. Try to think of some jobs you see and how they differ from today and about 85 years ago. There have been a wide variety of jobs changing rapidly for many years. Instead of having two or three people in a secretary's position, you only have one now. Before programs developed by computer science majors, you would have to write everything down with a pen and paper. You'd also have to arrange everything in alphabetical order by hand (or some kind of order). It also took a while to find someone, so you couldn't get the gist of who you're talking to on the phone unless you find the paper right away. Computer scientists have changed this with one program that holds all your company's clients and schedule. Though, not all of these programs are secure. As a matter of fact, these programs only provide little security, usually based on what the program's clients provide for them, such as a password. 50 percent of people that choose a password include their name, a family member, their occupation, or the one of the following words: love, sex, iloveu, password, secret, and pass. With these basic guidelines, you can break in and take all the private information a company has. With a simple brute force attack, you can guess the password 80 percent of the time in small businesses and companies. Computers have been taking jobs for years, but they have also brought many new jobs to the table. There may never be a way to solve this issue, but some companies can go without using a computer, it is their choice. Privacy is a wide concern with everyone and every company. You need to keep your information with a safe company, because if any information gets into the wrong hands, you could risk any type of fraud. For example, if you had someone's social security number, you could sign them up for a credit card and use that card to buy just about anything, on their credit. A more simple type of credit card fraud is simply getting that person's credit card number and using it online. It's easier than most people think, which is why it happens so often. Another problem is phishing. Phishing is one the most common types of credit card/bank account fraud. Con artists send out emails to millions of emails containing a link to a look-alike website. For example, if you were using PayPal, they would send you a link to a website that looks exactly like PayPal, where you usually enter your username and password. Instead of sending your username and password to PayPal, you sent it to their database and then PayPal. It looks like you've logged in normally, but instead you gave them your username and password. Hacking is also another way to exploit companies and private information. Privacy is a hard thing to beat, but in some efforts by you, you can avoid leaking any important information. For example, go to the bank every time you need your balance or need to make a withdraw/deposit instead of an ATM. ATM's are never as safe as a bank, as someone could be watching you enter your PIN, or seeing your balance. Also, make sure you always look at a links address, not by the link title, but what is in your browser's URL field. Finally, make sure you don't use any of the above mentioned passwords, as none of them are safe. Although most of these privacy concerns cannot be avoided, most people argue that something needs to be done. One of the last social issues with computer science is the dependability. Let's say your company uses one program to hold a ton of information, and that program mysteriously stopped working and all of your data is lost. What do you do? What if that program started billing your customers 100 dollars extra because of a software error? Some of the most dangerous machines and software a computer scientist may create are the ones used in hospitals. If one of those were to fail, you could lose someone's life. A way we can avoid this social issue in the future is to not become so dependable. You shouldn't have to use your computer to check your balance, instead head over to the bank to check it. Although this is not as much of a convenience as checking it online, it can help with dependability. This social issue is one that is less talked about than the others, because imagine life (today) without all of these amazing machines and software. Social issues in computer science will always be present and most of the problems cannot be fixed. A major social issue discussed everywhere is the amount of jobs computers have taken over. Privacy, the most valued social issue, will always be a problem within a world with computers. The amount of technology we depend on working is not a safe amount, and usually ends in economic costs and inconvenience. Although we will never create perfected software and hardware, we can strive towards fixing these social issues before they get worse.