If H. G. Wells were alive today, would he be writing a horror story about a hapless victim of cybercrime? The internet certainly presents countless opportunities for creative criminal minds. Phishing, credit card fraud, bank robbery, using children for pornography, scams, cyberterrorism, stalking, distribution of virusus, and hacking are just some of the frightening consequences of careless internet use. In his 1898 book, "The War of the Worlds", Wells writes, "No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man's." Interesting. Today, I am more afraid of becoming a victim of an intelligent internet criminal, monitoring my computer keystrokes from afar, than a blood-sucking Martian. Fortunately, I am forewarned, and so can take steps to protect myself and my family.
Happy Birthday, H. G. Wells.
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