The same holds true with hoaxes. Eventually, everyone will get tired about reading about the poor boy with cancer who wishes death on you "if you don't forward this to everyone you know." In fact someone who does forward such a message will be considered lame and gullible. They will be urged to "get with it," and laughed at for being "clueless." This too will not happen overnight. But one day the laws of netiquette will became entirely ingrained in our society. Just like everyone knows not to phone friends at 2AM (assuming your friends are usually sleeping then) because it would bother them, we'll learn not to waste time and bandwidth for "Bill 602P." (In case you're still not "with it" 602P is a phony modem tax bill referred to in an age old, but somehow still popular, hoax.)
Eventually, computers will get more intelligent. Again the keyword here is eventually. But one day computers will be able to defend themselves. Anti-virus software, for example, allows computers to protect themselves from getting infected. New software products will keep our PC's safe from other dangers. People will use stronger passwords or better yet all passwords will be abolished. Retina scans or fingerprint scans will become the standard as biometrics continue to gain popularity each day. And finally people will learn, one day, to take all the proper precautions. I talk to more and more people who tell me they now back up their important files everyday after having had bad experience losing valuable data. We like to learn the hard way. Eventually, one day, we will.
NOTE: This will be the last article I publish here (at least for a while) as I have begun to pursue my Master's Degree. It has been a pleasure writing for Suite101.com. I hope to return to the Suite, one day, after completing my studies. I especially enjoyed all the e-mails I've received from readers. Thanks and stay safe out there!
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