MIS assignment 2

1-Describe some RFID applications that might pose a threat to privacy. What information does RFID enable them to track?

One of the challenges involves the fact that an RFID tag can identify an item uniquely. A bar code, in contrast, identifies an item as a particular type of product but doesn’t distinguish it from identical products on the store shelf.

Thus, when a customer walks out of a store with a pair of RFID-tagged shoes, the tag (if not removed or disabled) could forever identify those shoes as being a particular brand from a particular store purchased for a particular price. consumers may not always know they are carrying RFID tags or that someone else is reading information from the tags.This could allow businesses to target customers with custom advertisements as they walk through a store. You and your items could also be tracked after you’ve bought them, as you carry your shopping bag into another section of a department store or to a different store owned by the same conglomerate (for instance, if you leave The Gap and go to Old Navy).

The use of RFID in tracking and access applications first appeared during the 1980s. RFID quickly gained attention because of its ability to track moving objects.RFID tags come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Some tags are easy to spot, such as the hard plastic anti-theft tags attached to merchandise in stores, animal tracking systems, vehicles, people or even currency.RFID systems may be roughly grouped into four categories:

EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) systems: Generally used in retail stores to sense the presence or absence of an item. Products are tagged and large antenna readers are placed at each exit of the store to detect unauthorized removal of the item.

Portable Data Capture systems: Characterized by the use of portable RFID readers, which enables this system to be used in variable settings.

Networked systems: Characterized by fixed position readers which are connected directly to a centralized information management system, while transponders are positioned on people or moveable items.

Positioning systems: Used for automated location identification of tagged items or vehiclesRFID systems enable business owners to have real-time access to inventory information, as well as a broader, clearer picture of consumers' buying habits. RFID technology also enables retailers and corporations to peek into the lives of consumers in ways that were, until recently, off limits.





2. How do these applications threaten personal privacy? how serious is this threat?

The most serious threat is the fact that RFID tags affixed to products remain functional even after the products have been purchased and taken home and thus can be used for surveillance and other purposes unrelated to their supply chain inventory functions, which leaves chances of surveillance and poses a threat to privacy. The personal information becomes vulnerable.

The threat is quite serious as people are unaware to what extent companies go to analyze the people. However recently at the World Security Information Summit steps were taken to curb this activity and make people aware of the growing trends in the world.
there are always abusers of technology out there and if there are no checks and balances in the use of this technology , we as human beings will have no sense of privacy at all.





3. Should these RFIP applications be deployed? Why or why not? Justify your answer.

These applications threaten privacy in some cases such as attaching RFIDs in apparrel which would enable companies to know our cloth wearing preferences and the frequency of the different tytpe of clothes that we wear and in car tires or in other retail items where companies would be able to monitor the freshness etc of a product that would be classified under directly invading the consumer's privacy without his or her consent which is why I am of the opinion that these RFID applications should not be installed or set up.

The trust between a consumer and the other party has to exist and itshould only be deployed where the long run benefits are greater then the costs. RFID equipment is usually a one-time investment. Recurring costs associated with the equipment may be incurred, though. These include licensing, upgrades, and maintenance costs.

With the way the world is moving, that is, in terms of wrong-doing and other criminal activity, such tags will most definitely be misused - used as readers, unwanted trackers and identifiers for people and objects, and only used to propagate further lies and deception. Hence, for the sake of protection and sanctity of individual rights and freedom, they should not be deployed.

Thus,i believe that a human being's personal life should always be given the highest priority..all religions and cultures around the world consider the right of privacy as an important pillar of ethics and fairness.

My Wishlist

I wish to have following list of items:

iPhone

The iPhone is an internet-connected multimedia smartphone designed and marketed by Apple Inc. with a flush multi-touch screen and a minimal hardware interface. The device does not have a physical keyboard, so a virtual keyboard is rendered on the touch screen instead. The iPhone functions as a camera phone (including text messaging and visual voicemail), a portable media player (equivalent to an iPod), and Internet client (with email, web browsing, and local Wi-Fi connectivity).

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360is the second video game console produced by Microsoft, and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii. A prominent feature of the Xbox 360 is its integrated Xbox Live service that allows players to compete online and download content such as arcade games, game demos, trailers, TV shows, and movies.

Acura NSX

Nice 2 door sports car with 8 cylinders, automatic transmission.

Places I liked most.............

Naltar


Naltar is probably one of the most spectacular Excursions in Pakistan, for those who like a little bit of adventure. The road to Naltar is pretty but Very dusty until the village of Nomal after Nomal you drive along the side of mountains and the climb is quite steep. At the upper Naltar you very instantly see the beautiful meadows the temperature is also very comfortable so one can really get a fancy escape from Gilgit`s heat. There is a small restaurant at the meadows which can serve a hot meal or you can carry Lunch boxes from Serena and have the restaurant make tea for you.

Hunza

Best outing from Gilgit is Hunza which is 100 Kms from Gilgit. We take a slow drive stopping at different places for Photos and short walks. Also stop at the memorial of Pakistan army's Mortals who gave their lives for the road, stop at mark where The two continents collided ( Collision of Asian and Indian tatanic plats which resulted the gigantic mountains in the area) Tea at Rakaposhi View point from where you can see Rakaposhi facing right before you. Lunch at Baltit Inn . Free time in Hunza bazaar Afternoon return to Gilgit.

Sukkur

Visit the Shrine of War Mubarak Near Rohri Railway station towards Sukkur this Shrines holds a holy Hair of Prophet Mohammed PBUH Later drive to the island of Bakhar and visit The shrine of Khwaja Khizar well known as Zinda Pir (Living Saint) He was a Sufi who became famous among the local people. There are devotes offering prayers at the Shrine and you will be allowed to see the colorful rituals.

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My Hobbies........

Like many others, I have had numerous hobbies and interests throughout my life that seem to change with the times. A few of the more important are listed below

Airplanes

I'm only a very occasional air traveller, but for some reason, I just love watching airplanes. I'm fascinated by them - their size, their power, their noise, and the way they defy gravity when taking off. Because I'm a keen photographer, I've also taken up photographing planes. I'm a semi-regular visitor to Dublin Airport. I started taking pictures of planes last year, and since getting my Nikon D70, I've really started to take a lot of pictures of these enormous beasts. I have two ambitions relating to aircraft - one is to fly in the cockpit of a big aeroplane, preferably an Airbus A340 or a Boeing 767 or 747 (something big!). The other is to be ON a runway, under an aeroplane taking photos as it takes off over my head. I know it probably sounds a bit mad, but I'd really love to sense the noise and the power at close range!

Computer Games

I'm not a mad fan of computer games or anything, but since being introduced to the first-player "shoot-em-up" DOOM back in the mid 1990s, I have kept up an occasional interest in this type of game. I found DOOM addictive, so naturally when ID Software progessed to making even better games, I played them too. The highly-successul QUAKE was followed by QUAKE II, which I have to say I didn't like half as much. I may be playing devil's advocate when I say I think generally game players preferred the origiinal QUAKE.

But then there came what I consider to be a revolution in gameplay. Such was the overwhelming response to the multi-player versions of the Quake series, where players could fight against each other either on a network or over the internet, ID brought out QUAKE III ARENA. This was the answer to the dreams of millions of players.
On any given day at any particular time there can be upwards of 2,000 active QUAKE III servers online where people are playing this game against each other. It's great fun. There are a variety of weapons available, including the hugely lethal rocket launcher and the railgun, which usually only needs one accurate blast to "frag" (kill) another player. There are also huge numbers of modifications and additions to Quake III, such as maps, skins, weapons etc.

There are hundreds of on-line servers where you can play against other humans, but the single player game provides plenty of entertainment for those who are not quite advanced enough for on-line play. Overall this is a significant improvement on the Quake III experience, and will provide hours of entertainment for anyone who's a fan of this genre. PainKeep Arena is for the "Old School" fan of Deathmatch, also known as Hardcore Deathmatchers, according to Robert Waring, one of the creators.

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List of Books that Fascinated Me

I'm not a bookworm by any means, but I do enjoy reading and I am interested in a broad range of topics and subjects. The vast majority of my reading material is non-fiction. What I would like to do here is list some of the books I've read recently and some of those that have left a lasting impression on me.

I'm Not Anti-Business, I'm Anti-Idiot (By: Adams, Scott)
Last Chance To See (By: Adams, Douglas and Carwardine, Mark)
Ring of Swords (By: Arnason, Eleanor)
Walk in Silence (By: Asaro, Catherine)
The Sons of Heaven (By: Baker, Kage)

Red Herrings and White Elephants - the origins of the phrases we use every day

Spectacular Ireland

Treasures of the Boyne Valley

The Sea (Cube Book)
The Gumshoe, the Witch, and the Virtual Corpse (By: Hartman, Keith)

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Football Forecast 6 March 2009

This weekend will prove to be an exiting one with a mix of Premier League and F.A cup games to keep us entertained and firmly fixed to our armchairs shouting obscene comments at player who’s names you cannot pronounce. This week’s F.A Cup is set to be a mouth watering round with one or two upsets a must , after all it is cup football. With all the cup action the Premier League only plays host to one match in the form of Sunderland v Tottenham at the Stadium of Light. Firstly we’ll have brief insight into the tantalizing F.A cup matches set to take the Nation by a storm over the coming days.

Here is one of the best videos of Manchester United.

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Experience at IBA

It's been two years now since i started doing my BBA from IBA.I plan to major in Marketing.
My experience so far has been pretty good and I feel proud to be here..specially when i see people giving tremendous respect to IBA graduates.I have learned and am still learning a lot from one of the best universities in world.Through its rigorus course outlines,very strict rules as well amazing extra curicullars IBA has helped me grow a LOT not only as aperson but also as a human being.
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