So Many Things Can Go Wrong Online (Weiner Update)

In some ways technology makes things harder, not easier. Here are just the latest examples of major tech-related snafus, beginning with an update on Anthony Weiner.

- The New York Times reports that Representative Anthony D. Weiner said on Saturday that he was entering a psychological treatment center and seeking a leave of absence from the House to deal with a his Tweeting problem. He says he's not going to resign, at least not yet. UPDATE: More Weiner photos have surfaced, this time taken from the Congressional Gym. TMZ

- The International Monetary Fund was hit recently by what computer experts describe as a large and sophisticated cyberattack whose dimensions are still unknown. The New York Times reports that hackers may have gotten potentially "market-moving information" and "political dynamite."

- A woman posed as a hot teenager on Facebook and friended her husband. He proceeded to to tell the "teen" about his plot to steal their children and hire someone to "take care of" his wife. cnet

- Facebook's new facial recognition feature is downright creepy -- and millions of users are unaware they need to opt out. Of course, Facebook makes it tricky to do so. The LA Times provides instructions.

- Hackers recently stole the names, account numbers and email addresses of 200,000 Citibank credit card customers. Over the past three months, hackers penetrated 100 million Sony PlayStation accounts, the networks of Lockheed Martin and the customer email databases of a company that does marketing for Best Buy and Target. Seattle PI

Technology is wonderful -- this blog wouldn't be possible without it. But its promise is being gradually eroded. Hack attacks could destabilize our economy, and companies like Facebook are invading our privacy. Is it time to go off the grid? Is it possible to do that and still keep our iPads?

Photo by underbiteman, Creative Commons license

Go to McBrooklyn's HOME PAGE.