Within weeks after the glitch at Mauritius Telecom, we have woken up to yet another spine-chilling account of fraud through the misuse of computers. An alleged “gang of computer whizz kids” has been put “out of action” after they have succeeded in misappropriating millions (through the use of forged credit cards) by indulging into “siphonage” i.e. draining off bank accounts from across the world. Smooth operators!!! The team of investigators has a massive and exciting task at hand.

Advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) over the last few years have brought a dramatic improvement in opportunities for the average person. A generation is now emerging from schools for whom technology has always been part of everyday life. They have electronic address books, they communicate with their friends by email, sms and mobile phones. If they need information, they surf the Net and they produce very professional-looking schoolwork on a computer. Technology, as far as they are concerned, will automatically be part of any career they choose. Moreover, any young person who does not have the latest top-notch mobile phone, feels an outcast amongst his/her peers.

However, for every opportunity that exists, there is a potential for its misuse. The information revolution, along with its attendant explosive growth of knowledge and related phenomenon of the globalization of the world economy has made this potential for damage a reality. There is a good chance that this state of affairs affects all aspects of economic, social and political activity. The day is not far away when some “white-collar” crook would perch him/herself on top of a tall building with state-of-the art gizmo and intercepts sms and cellular phone signals for the purpose of concocting SIM cards. These would then be used in mobile phones for making calls (international), thus knocking the real owner of the SIM card off his/her perch. Also, are we conscious of the fact that there exists software that is in the public domain which can generate credit card numbers ready for use … on the Internet for e-shopping?

The laws of the land have been enforced to deal effectively with piracy, counterfeiting and other forms of intellectual property infringements. But, are laws and their endorsements by society enough to keep inquisitive minds from “thinking bad”? The world of IT is so fascinating and entrancing that anybody who has more than a cursory knowledge of the subject feels him/herself being pulled into a maze. What we need, today, is not an ICT “at all costs” but we need to adopt the necessary framework that supports the intellectual needs as well as the education of home users on the ethical use of IT. Students need to understand that it is wrong to post one’s buddy’s ‘adulterated’ photos on the Net.

The citizen of tomorrow must be made aware today of the wrongs that he/she can do to society by negligent use of his/her rights. Proactive policies on education at grass roots level will bring pervasive benefits to us all. Success in this area depends on decision makers taking quick action to eliminate barriers and to create the enabling environment which will allow the development of a pedagogy that is beneficial to our society.

We are presently creating rowdy and unmanageable students by bringing into the classroom all types of “illities” and by our treatment of the once revered guru/educator. It is now time to think of a new generation of men and women who are able to carry forward the development of our nation or, alternatively, to hit the nail deeper into the coffin and thus produce intellectual felons.

Lassitude in this area will help to exacerbate an already disturbing situation.

<B>Nawab MONIARUCH </B> <B>MBCS CITP</B> <B>Chair, British Computer Society Mauritius Section</B>