Inside the World of Computing

7Societal Issues

This last chapter is not devoted to technology but offers a look at some of the questions that the massive presence of information and communication technologies in all sectors of our lives seemingly poses to society.

What are the threats of cybercrime? Does the uncontrolled use of our multiple forms of personal information threaten our privacy? Is social life under influence? Is democracy in danger? Are we all participants in this digital world? Are AI applications risk-free? Will intelligent prostheses create a category of bionic humans? Can we envisage an increase in our life expectancy, or even our immortality? Finally, what kind of society do we want?

7.1. Security

We have mentioned computer security (often referred to as cybersecurity) in several of the chapters of this book, particularly in Chapter 2 on networks. We would like to insist here on the questions it raises when several billion computers are connected worldwide, and soon, probably tens of billions of connected objects: theft of strategic information, spying, ransomware attacks, sabotage of essential operators (banks, health, energy) and destabilization relayed by social networks.

7.1.1. Specific characteristics

Computer security is a set of technologies, processes and practices designed to protect networks, computers and data against attacks, damage and unauthorized access that can be grouped under the term cybercrime.

Attacks can be mounted remotely. Local law is usually powerless in the ...