Computers are very complicated and have a lot of components. There are many codes and programs put into place that affect the way a computer works. The visuals, the software, the files, storage, and more all depended on how the device was programmed. This was very intricate, as one slight change of code could completely alter whether the computer works or not. Unfortunately, with code, the sky is the limit, so anyone who understands how it all works can simply do things that are unheard of to a normal person. A lot of people who do things like this for a negative reason, are known as hackers. Hackers are people who use their extended knowledge of coding infrastructure in order to bypass firewalls and security, for the purpose of retrieving information, or messing with a certain target. Targets, consist of anyone, ranging from simple vulnerable people to massive corporations, so even if you’re not as valuable of a target as a successful business, you can still be targeted. This is why computers have their own built-in defense services.

There is not many surefire ways to tell exactly if your computer is safe. However, there are ways to tell if it isn’t, like if it refuses to work properly, if it generates massive pop ups immediately once you start up the app, if it moves incredibly slow, and much more. These are viruses, and mostly sprung from clicking on a malicious pop-up or link that were designed for malicious intent. Sometimes, you can be hacked without even having to be in shady places. Fortunately, security apps such as Windows Defender can block hacking attempts, deny access to your account from unfamiliar places, and even notify you if they detect anything abnormal. You can also run a security scan to see if any component of your computer has been messed with.

Overall, computers have made society so much better over the course of its existence. Its done many things such as bring us even closer socially, allowing for easier long distance communication. It’s also allowed us to do certain things easier than we were able to do before like typing, as its a smoother process, with writing applications that fix our sentences and grammar. A huge asset is the fact that we could do work from our computers, allowing for different job opportunities, and the continuation of work during the global pandemic in 2020. Unfortunately, computers aren’t devoid of drawbacks either, as less and less people are getting outside and active due to being online. Social media also houses some of the most negative influence to the impressionable youth ever. Hackers are also more prevalent in today’s society, people feel less safe about their info online as data can get leaked online, containing personal information. Its a mixed bag, but still a relatively recent thing, so it should improve in due time.