by Vilie Farah

Created on: January 13, 2010

Very few people can imagine the world today without internet and most need constant access to their favorite websites and online applications. Internet has revolutionized communications, the provision of information and services. Today, it affects nearly all aspects of life.

Internet, however, has its negative characteristics alongside the various positive attributes. It has affected many in at least one undesired way. Some of its negative characteristics include changing communication patterns, loss of privacy and online crime.

* Lack of personal communication *
The popularity of websites like Facebook and MySpace has given many a whole new way to communicate and find friends. Face to face interactions are no longer needed. All it takes someone to meet new people is the creation of a profile in one of the popular social media websites.

Online messaging programs like Skype have also played a role. Internet communication has vast social effects, some of which negative. People find it easier to get to know someone online, instead of putting effort into a real meeting or a date.

This tendency has especially affected teenagers. Young people today have difficulties expressing their beliefs and emotions face to face. The anonymity that internet provides makes it easier for many people to express themselves in a virtual reality.

In extreme cases, internet is distancing rather than bringing people together. Initially, it augmented real life communication but slowly came to dominate over it. Today, websites are the primary means of communication for many.

* Online crime and fraud *
Internet evolved over the years and so did online crime. New ways were discovered to steal funds, access personal information, hack websites and produce online fraud schemes.

Computer Crime Research Center reported that organized criminal groups easily attack official governmental sites, hack into security systems and gain access to classified or potentially dangerous information.

Fraud schemes include fake lotteries, job offers and internet purchases. The aim of all these schemes is gaining access to the funds of innocent individuals. Internet novices, elderly people and youngsters most often fall victims to such schemes.

Most people are aware of the existence of online crime. Yet, promises of easy earning get many fooled into revealing financial and personal information that is later on used by internet criminals.

* False information and rumors *
Internet is most often a media lacking moderation. Anyone

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