Pay attention to what you upload on social media, expert warns

Adenike Osofisan, first female professor of Computer Science in Africa, has restated the need to pay adequate attention to the ‘dark side’ of technology, irrespective of its numerous benefits to mankind.

Prof. Osofisan stated this while delivering the maiden combined convocation lecture of the Trinity university, Yaba, on Thursday in Lagos.

The title of the lecture is: Disruptive Technology; The Ambiguous Friend?

She listed some of the disruptive technologies in today’s world to include Artificial Intelligence and Machine Language, 3D Printing, Virtual and Augmented Reality and 5G.

Others, according to her, are Robots, Drones, Social Networks as well as Cybersecurity among others.

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She said as much as technology had added value to various spheres of human life,  improved knowledge and skills, as well as provided connectivity, mankind must always be mindful of the ills associated with it.

“All disruptive technologies supersede an older process, products or habit with superior attributes.

“No technology is perfect. Disruptive technologies are friendly because of their usefulness in every sphere of human endeavor.

“However, they all come as a double edged sword, that needs to be constantly monitored and put in check with various methods to minimize issues.”

The don noted that while disruptive technologies  such as intelligence and machine learning were rapidly changing today’s world and powering fourth industrial revolution, humanity does not need to be afraid of it, but rather, find a means of mitigating its dark side.

She warned of the danger associated with putting one’s history on the social media, including posting photographs of children and grandchildren.

Osofisan said the social media for example, was one of such technology platforms that must be handled with care when it comes to the upload of personal data.

“You can never tell who might want to make use of the information you have provided against you in the future.

“The social media as one of the disruptive technologies, does a great job to humanity. We indeed cannot do without them no doubt, but at the same time, we must beware of its other side, so as to know how to handle it appropriately.

“Yes, we use the social media to learn new things, acquire knowledge and skills, but we must try as much as possible not to allow it to work against us in any way.

“Again, government may need to buy equipment such as firewalls and other things that can be used to mitigate the negative effects of the social media. We cannot just adopt all these technologies without checking its other sides,” she said.

Explaining further, she said that the Cybersecurity for instance,  is used in protecting critical systems and sensitive information from digital attack, as well as defend against reputation damage among many other benefits.

Prof Osofisan also argued that in spite of these benefits of cybersecurity, there exists a dark side.

“While the realm of Cybersecurity continues to evolve, there is a parallel world that operates in the shadows, called the ‘dark web’.

“The Dark web poses a lot of threats to Cybersecurity professionals and individuals. It is a hidden part of the internet that requires special software to access while providing anonymity to its users.

“Within this clandestine realm, hackers operate, connect and collaborate through various hacking forums and communities.

“The dark web provides a platform for hackers to enhance their skills, seek assistance and engage in illicit activities,” she said.

She identified common targets of hackers as private individuals, by exploiting their vulnerabilities in personal devices,  or using social engineering techniques to gain access to personal information, bank accounts or social media profiles, among other targets.

According to her, they also target passwords,  noting that the dark web hackers employ various techniques to crack weak passwords, giving them access to systems or accounts.

“It is therefore important to understand the threats hackers pose and strengthen defenses against them.

“ By implementing robust preventive measures and security practices, these nefarious dark web actors can be kept at bay,” she said.

The Pro Chancellor of the university, Mr Samuel Olatunji, described the lecture as apt and well delivered.

According to him, the university remains  committed in doing something different, by producing graduates that are well equipped and ready for the world of work.

“In our few years of existence, there has been that heavy lifting and we are poised to continually fortify our foundation that will deliver on our glorious vision in education.

“So, with this our joint convocation,  you can now begin to hold us accountable to what we said when we started,” he said.

Pay attention to what you upload on social media, expert warns