Cyberspace - Applications and Limitations

In general language, cyberspace is defined as a virtual space, which is not real. It is a medium from which electronic mails are sent from one computer to another. It is a widespread interconnected technology. 

 

In this blog we will learn about the role of Cyberspace. We will also read about applications and limitations of cyberspace.

 

An introduction to Cyberspace

 

The term, ‘cyberspace’ was first coined in 1960 by Susanne Ussing and Carten Hoff. The artist and architect defined cyberspace as a sensory space. Together they had constituted a system called Atelier Cyberspace. 

 

This system of cyberspace was working before the advent of the internet. According to the organization, the word cyberspace was simply equivalent to managing things, they don’t have any digital interest in it. Cyberspace according to them was concrete or physical.

 

Later in the 1990s with the advent of the internet, use of the word cyberspace became more common. But the word now has a virtual meaning too. Now, it is used to represent new ideas and phenomena that are emerging. 

 

(Suggested Blog - Information security vs cyber security)

 

Most recent definition of cyberspace

 

Cyberspace is defined as a global and dynamic domain. The purpose of cyberspace is to create, store, exchange, share, modify, extract, use and eliminate information. In short, cyberspace is an augmented medium where technical communications take place.

 

Components of cyberspace

 

Cyberspace includes following components:

 

1. Physical infrastructure and telecommunications devices.

 

2. Computer systems.

 

3. Internet connection in computer

 

4. Network between computers

 

5. Access nodes of users

 

6. Constituent data

 

Cyberspace is not internet

 

Cyberspace is sometimes misjudged as the internet. But people should know that cyberspace contains the internet. And, the internet is a part of cyberspace. The two are different things. 

 

Source link -  Cyberspace: a metaphor of the internet

 

Cyberspace and cybersecurity

 

While cyberspace is the medium of sharing electronic messages, cybersecurity is a way to ensure safety of the cyberspace. Cybersecurity may be defined as the set of rules and laws to govern the ethical working of cyberspace.

 

 

What are the limitations of Cyberspace?

 

The limitations of cyberspace are as follows:

 

Security

 

When we use the internet for online banking, social networking or other services then there might be risk of personal information such as name, address, credit card number etc. Unprincipled people can access this information through the unsecured connections and misuse personal information for their benefits.

 

Virus attacks

 

Various types of virus attacks are plagued on the internet. You may also get virus attacks if you click on any harmless link. Different types of computers connected to the internet are liable to targeted virus attacks and crashing may also occur. 

 

(Suggested Read - Encrypting Viruses)

 

Cybercriminals

 

The ability to send and receive mail also creates an opportunity for the cybercriminals to distribute spam and malicious things. Malware in the computers can affect the functioning. They steal the important information of the users.

 

 

What are the merits of Cyberspace?

---

Merits of Cyberspace

---

Following are the advantages of Cybersecurity

 

Informational resources

 

It is very effective for collecting information. one can get any kind of information they want to collect on any topic. The search engines like Google and Yahoo provide 24 hours and 7 days per week service.

 

(Recommended blog - Google Analytics)

 

Communication

 

Back in the past, when we are not together in the same room and if someone else is in another room then we have to call that person or if we have to send a letter or any note we have to send through the snail mail.

 

When the internet is introduced things become easier. In the current world we can send and receive any message through electronic mail and there is no need for post stamps for sending anything so due to the introduction of the internet things get sorted.

 

Social Networking

 

Social networking plays a vital role in cyberspace. In today's world people can't even imagine their life without the internet. People are more dependent on online media like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. 

 

(Related blog - How Instagram uses AI and Big Data)

 

These applications become very popular amongst the youths. It might replace physical networking one day. It is a very broad network and it connects millions of people who have the same interest.

 

Entertainment

 

With the help of the internet we can download any song, movie, video etc of various kinds. We can also download games of our interest and can play together online with our friends. Celebrities are also using social media for interacting with their fans and they upload various kinds of fun videos for their fans.

 

Opportunities

 

Apart from making friends on social media one can use it in a useful way too. We can get various job offers and can get the job we want. Chat rooms are always available there where one can meet and interact with new people. 

 

(Speaking of chat rooms, check out our blog on Chatbots)

 

 

What are the applications and uses of Cyberspace?

 

In recent times, following industries have set a milestone by applying the merits and applications of cyberspace in their work and businesses.

 

Wheaton industries

 

Wheaton industry is a plastic division industry which operates machinery that produces caps and plastic bottles. The machinery should run all day, everyday and the malfunctioning of the industry must be overcome rapidly. 

 

Audits international

 

It inspects various types of restaurants which are using Apple Newton ( personal digital assistant) [PDA]. It basically removes the need for paper and pencil forms. Earlier, it took 20 days to get a report to the chain manager but at present it takes 36 hours.

 

Bergen Brunswig Drug

 

It is basically an American company which supplies pharmaceuticals. They place a Mac computer in the pharmacies and they give a lease too i.e. $ 39/month. This Mac computer contains a CD-ROM- based system which is called an Accusource. 

 

(Related blog - Big Data in Pharma Industry)

 

With the help of Accusource they can place an order and can send it directly to Bergen's closest distribution centre. Through this, customers can order on their own and it uses the technologies at intersections where customers meet the selling price. It is basically a marketing encyclopedia system which is part of sales automation.

 

Continental Bank

 

Fran watson, a lady who works in the continental bank as a project coordinator for the bank's telephone operation department.

 

Fran watson goes through the same morning routine from the past 15 years. She rides the same elevator of the bank to the 19th floor and reports to the same office. 

 

But on a certain morning there is a noticeable difference - the name of the company on her office door. It now reads as a Wiltel communication system rather than of continental. Fran watson is also like many corporate Americans who hold the same job but their paycheck comes from different new sources. 

 

Ford Motor

 

In the 1990s Ford launched a plan to become a global automobile manufacturer. Global means that the company has to break the barrier which already exists in the multinational firms which have different types of facilities and the people in different countries. 

 

So to break these kinds of barriers and to gain the advantage of scale, Ford turned their technologies to a computer based conferencing technology to allow designs and engineering teams in different countries like Australia, England, Brazil, Japan and Germany to share the engineering concept, data, and drawings collaboratively. 

 

Goals are set for the collaboration tool, which are : 

 

The tools should run on the desktop

 

Any group can move from one project to the other without moving from one country to another, teams can work in parallel.  

 

Suggested Blog -  Mobile business intelligence

 

 

A way forward

 

Cyberspace and the internet together are revolutionizing the spheres of life. Though, the concept of cyberspace needs to be more safe and private. As millions of users are using cyberspace in one way or another, it becomes essential for it to be secure and safe. Still, in the coming days, we can expect a big change in different fields.