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Information & Communication Technology

1.0 Introduction
At present age we can safely categorize the world population into two distinct classes: people
who know of information technology and people who don’t. Information technology
nowadays has become synonymous to modern lifestyle. These technologies come in various
types, shapes and sizes. They can fit into your palm as a Smartphone, or compute, store and
process vast amount of data as a personal computer. They can hold every information known
to mankind inside the intricate weavings of the Internet or store your personal files halfway
across the world through cloud computing. This amazing list is constantly growing and
creating new wonders every step of our time.

1.1 What Is Information Technology?

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Information and Communication Technology, more
popularly known as its acronym ICT; refers to
technologies that provide access to information
through different medium of electronic
communication. This mode of communication maybe
the internet, wireless network, and cellular network
even land phones too. You may be wondering, yeah I get it but what is the definition of ICT?
Well, there is no globally accepted answer. As the concepts, methods and applications
involving ICT are constantly changing and evolving almost at daily basis, it is difficult to
pinpoint our definitions and such things. But for academic purposes we may devise a
definition that can generally fit the requirements. Information Technology is the branch of
technology concerned with the dissemination, processing and storing of information by
means of a computer system.
There was a time when this ICT was a luxury for developing country like Bangladesh. But
time has changed now. Now it is essential for everyone. It is related in our every part of the
life. Modern information and communication technologies have created a "Global Village",
in which people can communicate with others across the world as if they were living next
door as neighbor.

1.2 What Consists of ICT?

As evident from the name, there are two major parts of ICT:
• Information Technology
• Communication Technology
Information Technology involves any technology that powers “information flow”. Anything
involving computers, servers, data, networks, software falls under the gigantic IT umbrella.
Suppose you want to see your SSC result via SMS. You type the keywords and send it to a
specific number and what magic! Here comes your SSC result in an instant! In this case you
requested some information to the mobile operator and “information flow” was directed
towards you from the education boards by the mobile operators. Now you did excellent, a
solid A+ that puffed up your chest. So now you make a call to your mother to convey this
good news. Now the information flow is directed to your mother from you via a voice call.
So now you see, any type of communication over internet or mobile networks involves the
information flow. That’s how IT umbrella is surrounding us 24/7.
Communication Technology refers to electronic systems used for communication between
individuals or groups, who maybe is different physical locations. We use communication
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technology for gathering, storing, retrieving, processing, analyzing and transmitting
information. The interesting part is, communication technology maybe evolving at a blinding
speed but the communication itself hasn’t changed. In the not so distant past we used to write
letters to distant friends or family members, now we do the same thing through a phone call
or e-mail. The mode of communication is changing rapidly. We will know more about this
later in this book.

1.2.1 Why should we study ICT?

Information and Communication Technology study helps open the doors to a rewarding
profession that emphasizes multiple skill sets, and allows the student to pursue various options
in traditional IT, traditional communications, or in new combined careers.
• ICT professionals support the emerging goals and cultures of the people and
organizations they serve.
• The demand for ICT skills is growing.
• Combining technology skills that are in demand with communication skills in PR,
Advertising, and Media Communications provides an impact to employers.
• As an emerging field, ICT jobs generally pay well and provide leadership challenges
and opportunities that contribute to a satisfying career.

1.2.2 ICT Careers Include

• Computer Programmers
• Web Designers
• Database Analysts
• Project Managers
• Social Media Managers
• Social Community Managers
• Security/Networking Analysts
• Technology Support
• Mobile Application Developers
• Technical Trainers/Managers
• e-Marketing Specialists
• Digital Specialists
• Public Relations/Content Marketing
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• Web Development Specialists

• Social Media & Marketing Coordinators

• Integrated Marketing Strategists
• Corporate Communications Coordinators
• Online Engagement Specialists
• And many more.

1.2.3 Strengths and Weaknesses of ICTs

Like all innovations that we have come to accept, ICTs also have strengths and weaknesses.
We should list these because it is important to know what they are especially if we are to plan
and use them effectively. Some of the strengths of the ICTs include
1. Individualization of learning: This means that people learn as individuals and not as a
homogenous group. ICTs allow each individual to relate to the medium and its content.
2. Interactivity: Interactivity is the way in which a person can relate to the content, go
forward and backward in the content, start at any point depending upon prior knowledge
instead of always in a sequential way.
3. Low per unit cost: Per person, ICTs reduce the cost of education from very high to very
low.
4. Distance and climate insensitive: It does not matter where you are, or how the weather
is, you can still access and learn from ICTs.
5. Can serve multiple teaching functions and diverse audiences: ICTs, especially the
computer and Internet based can be useful in drill and practice; to help diagnose and solve
problems, for accessing information and knowledge about various related themes.
6. High speed delivery, wide reach at low cost: There is instant delivery of information.
7. Uniform quality: If content is well produced and is of good quality, the same quality can
be delivered to the rich and the poor, the urban and the rural equally and at the same low
cost.
But ICTs also have weaknesses which we must understand. Some of these include
1. High infrastructure and start up costs: It costs money to build ICT systems and to
maintain them.
2. Tend toward centralized uniform content in economies of scale: The larger the numbers,
the lower the cost. This means that sometimes we try to reach large numbers so we make
content common, not taking into account individual differences.
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3. Are not ideally location and problem sensitive: Address problems in a general way, but
cannot, without special effort, solve local and culturally sensitive problems.
4. Problems of reach, access, remain: Not everyone has equal access; so not everyone
benefits equally from the use of ICTs.
5. Tend to create new class of knowledge rich/knowledge poor: Those who have access
and knowledge through the media become richer and those who do not become poorer,
widening the “knowledge or digital gap” between rich and poor.
6. Essentially delivery systems: A medium is different from the content; and often we forget
that we can deliver any content, because ICTs are essentially meant only to deliver
content, not to change attitudes or bring about behaviour change.
7. Hard to assess impact: Learning from ICT delivered content is difficult to assess since
such learning is of a multidimensional and long term kind, rather than from immediate
learning assessment as in a classroom test.
8. Officers, trainers need reorientation and retraining: Just as people learn to use ICTs,
trainers and officers also need training - something they sometimes resent.
9. Call for attitudinal change to understanding of teaching and learning: These are
different media and have a different way of teaching from what we are accustomed to—
therefore, they need different ways of understanding what teaching and learning is all
about.
And so, they are a mixed bag and it is necessary that we recognize both their strengths and
weaknesses. It is more important that we recognize because if we use a technology thinking
it to be ideal one, but not recognizing its limitations, we are likely to fail in our effort and then
to believe that all ICTs are useless and inadequate in education.

1.3.3 Uses of ICT in global village

You might have guessed already but to emphasize again, ICT is the building block of global
village. As like in any real village, the global village also needs some bare necessities and
infrastructure and support which are provided by Information and Communication
Technology. A few examples are elaborated here:
1) Communication:
Communication is one of the central gifts of ICT also the basic element of a global village.
Communication through different modes of electronic media is should be readily made
available to the people if they are to reside in a global village.
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Technology has enabled a plethora of ways for humans to communicate with each other and
broadcast information to vast audiences. Early inventions like radio and the telephone have
evolved into vast, worldwide networks of undersea cables and satellites. Technology has
expanded how fast we can communicate and in how many ways, even letting us send photos
and video across the world from a device that can fit in our pocket.
• Telephone/Mobile Phone
Since the telephone's invention by Alexander Graham Bell in March of 1876, the telephone
has come a long way. Telephones used landlines to send signals across the country, and later
made use of undersea cables to let people communicate with those in other countries. The
first cell phone, as the term is commonly understood, was invented in 1973, the first call being
made by Dr. Martin Cooper of Motorola to his rival at Bell Labs. Since then, phones have
come to enable much more than vocal communication, using tower and satellite signals to
send text messages and data such as video and images.
• Radio
Early radio communication was used primarily by the sea vessels in the 1900s and 1910s,
with naval and merchant vessels making use of the technology for communicating with other
ships. Radio on land started with advertising, but producers knew that people wouldn't listen
unless they were entertained. Drama programs soon became a staple of popular radio in the
late 1920s and early 1930s. Radio has since expanded to be a dominant form of
communication technology; in September 2011, the FCC reported that there were 14,865
radio stations in the U.S. alone.
• Television
Full-scale television broadcasting in the US began in 1947, and at first, many thought it would
not last. Inventor Lee DeForest said, "While theoretically and technically television may be
feasible, commercially and financially it is an impossibility." However, in the year 2010,
Bangladeshi households had over 40 million TVs, with almost 81 percent of households
reporting owning at least one set. There are now thousands of TV channels covering
everything from sports and music to reality shows and game shows in the world.
• Internet
The Internet as we know it came about in the early 1990s as a result of research into a number
of previous telecommunications projects such as ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects
Agency Network) that were used primarily by the military. The basic idea was connecting
different computers together to allow the transfer of data. Like phones, the Internet makes
heavy use of landlines and undersea cables, though wireless devices can connect to the
Internet using wireless and satellite connections. The Internet has exploded in popularity, with
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2.5 billion people using the Internet worldwide. It has also enabled many different types of
communication, such as email, instant messaging and voice and audio chat.
2) Employment:
Employees of a global village are not bound by distance. A resident of a global village can
get up from sleep in Dhaka; have a conference with his client from Chicago to work in a
project at London. An Employer also needs not to look for capable employees only in his
neighborhood. In a global village the neighborhood is the world. You can post job circulars
on a recruitment website, have an interview via Skype and work with your client through
outsourcing sites like oDesk nowadays. It has become that much easier and global.
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are transforming the world of work,
creating new job opportunities and making labor markets more innovative, inclusive, and
global.
World Bank identifies three global drivers responsible for the increase in ICT-related jobs
worldwide:
• Greater connectivity – more than 120 countries now have over 80 percent market
penetration of mobile telephones
• Digitization of more aspects of work – today, telecommuting and outsourcing have
become standard business practices globally
• More globalized skills – India, Bangladesh and the Philippines have become major
outsourcing hubs. Other countries are targeting the sector for future growth.

ICTs are providing new avenues for job creation that could help tackle global
unemployment. For instance, the development of the mobile phone applications industry has
created new opportunities for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A firm that
provides a digital application to the Apple app store, for example, gains access to over 500
million app store account holders.
ICTs connect people to jobs. Online employment marketplaces are helping an estimated 12
million people worldwide find work by connecting them with employers globally. Bdjobs in
Bangladesh, Babajob in India, Duma and M-Kazi in Kenya, and Souktel in the Middle East
and North Africa are examples of job search services using internet-based and mobile
tools. Such services empower workers by making labor markets more transparent and
inclusive; for instance, Souktel targets low-income and marginalized communities.
ICTs also support innovation that has created new, more flexible forms of employment and
work:
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• Online contracting uses ICT to increase access to work opportunities worldwide,
mainly for smaller employers. Popular services include oDesk and Elance. In 2012,
about 2.5 million jobs were posted on these services, for tasks ranging from writing
to customer service to software development.
• Microwork platforms break down large business processes into smaller discrete
tasks – such as data entry and verification, copy-writing, or graphic design – and
distribute them to workers across geographic boundaries. The platforms include
CloudFactory, MobileWorks, and Samasource. Analysts suggest the market size is
about US$1 billion today and could grow to about US$5 billion by 2018.

ICTs create opportunities, but also pose new challenges for workers and employers. By
enabling new forms of work, ICT also changes the structure of jobs, the way people develop
their career, and the way they work. Many ICT-enabled jobs are temporary or contract-based,
for example, leading to a separation of work from social safety nets such as health insurance
or pensions. But, for young people especially, they offer a way into more formal careers, as
well as providing a supplementary income.
To maximize the positive impact of ICTs on employment, World Bank recommends that
policymakers pay attention to five enabling systems, adapting the mix as needed to the
country context:
• Human capital systems: A labor pool with appropriate ICT skills, and the awareness
and soft skills that give competitive advantage in the labor market.
• Infrastructure systems: Ubiquitous connectivity to ICT; access to electricity and
transport; infrastructure to support innovation and adoption of technology by SMEs.
• Social systems: Networks of trust and recognition for workers and employers, social
safety nets, and measures to minimize possible negative outcomes of ICT-enabled
employment.
• Financial systems: Efficient and accountable systems to ensure timely payments; and
access to finance to support innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Regulatory systems: An enabling environment that creates employment
opportunities and increases labor market flexibility while protecting the rights of
workers.
3) Education:
In a global village the whole world is your school. Any and every branch of knowledge’s door
is open to you. The Internet has knowledge resources, tutorials, online courses and formal
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degree programs on almost every known topic of the world. Now a new knowledge resource
is immediately shared across the globe so no one needs to reinvent the wheel anymore.
There are three ways in which ICT in education is considered in current thinking. These are
ICT education; ICT supported education, and ICT enabled education.
• ICT Education: This is the most common understanding of the field of ICTs in
education. Essentially, it refers to the creation of human resource to meet the IT needs of
the knowledge economy. In developing countries of Asia, each country is trying to create
a pool of manpower to address job opportunities in computers—hardware and software,
creating and training people in computer engineering. Very often, an ICT in Education
policy of a government describes the steps by which computers will be placed in schools,
how teachers and students will be provided the basic computer programming skills to
cater to the growing job market in computer based technologies.
• ICT Supported Education: A large number of distance education universities and
programmes use ICT to support the print content that they deliver to students.

These include broadcast audio and video such as radio and television programmes, audio
and video tapes delivered to students as part of a learning kit, and in more recent times,
multimedia content such as lessons which are delivered off line, i.e. on CDs. This is also
sometimes called multimedia education, where multiple media are used to support
learning.
• ICT Enabled Education: Any educational programme that is purely delivered through
ICTs, or with ICT delivered content as the primary backbone of the teaching-learning
process, such as on line courses through the web, is ICT enabled education. In simple
words, this form of education requires ICT access and requires that the learner use ICTs
as a primary or basic medium of instruction.
The followings are the aim and objectives of ICT implementation in education:
1. To implement the principle of life-long learning / education.

2. To increase a variety of educational services and medium / method.

3. To promote equal opportunities to obtain education and information.

4. To develop a system of collecting and disseminating educational information.

5. To promote technology literacy of all citizens, especially for students.

6. To develop distance education with national contents.

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7. To promote the culture of learning at school (development of learning skills,
expansion of optional education, open source of education, etc.)

8. To support schools in sharing experience and information with others.

4) Medical Sector:
ICT improving access to the medicines, medical information and
training that can help to treat or cure diseases. Drug companies and
governments now have the ability to ship drugs to remote parts of the
world affected by outbreaks of disease. Institutions and professionals
seeking to put medicines or treatments in the hands of needy people,
can now make use of the product distribution networks,
communications technologies and transportation technologies that have promoted global
village in last decade.
The benefits of ICT in medicine are:
• Information is always available, cannot be lost, or left sitting on a desk.
• Information is available to users in different locations, such as doctor in clinic, nurse in ward
or radiologist in x-ray department.
• Information can be easily read
• Results from tests in hospital can be added to a patient’s record as soon as the test is
complete, which will be available immediately to the doctor.
• ICT can be used to perform lifesaving operations via robots!!!! For example if someone had
a bad heart condition and needed a vital operation and the health professional was unable to
perform it then a robot could perform the operation by the commands of another surgeon
elsewhere.
• Some hospitals are now experimenting with smart cards.
-Smart cards are electronic cards which the patient keeps with them and contains all of their
medical records.
-These cards will have to be taken every time they visit a doctor, dentist, pharmacist or
hospital.
-The smart card can store a complete medical history and can be updated at the end of each
visit.
The drawbacks of ICT in medicine are:
• If the computer network goes down, information is unavailable. This could be
inconvenient or may even be life threatening.
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• All staff will need training in the use of the software
• Part time staff may not be trained and cannot access vital information.
• Some staff may be resistant or fearful of using ICT.
• It is very expensive to set up.

5) Research:
Global village makes information available for everyone. Scope of research has expanded.
Research is not limited in any country or border. Anyone can be part of this research. With
view of different kind of people and their thinking, research becomes much more effective.

Technology is integral to many forms of research. Whether it's computing power in the
sciences, content development tools in education, web-based dissemination in history or
collaborative tools in business, most academics make some use of technology. The academic
technology team supports new applications of technology within the disciplines, particularly
where departments don't have a dedicated technologist. Plans are underway to create a
network of research technologists within the University to share good practice and pool
requirements.

6) Banking Sector:
Information technology makes modern banking faster and
easier than ever. Now anyone can receive or send money
with a blink of eye. Exchanging over different country or
continent become easier & faster than ever.

The banking sector has embraced the use of technology to serve its client’s faster and also to
do more with less. Emerging technologies have changed the banking industry from paper and
branch based banks to digitized and networked banking services. Unlike before, broadband
internet is cheap and it makes the transfer of data easy and first. Technology has changed the
accounting and management system of all banks. And it is now changing the way how banks
are delivering services to their customers. However this technology comes at a cost,
implementing all this technology has been expensive but the rewards are limitless.
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The roles of technology in the banking industry

• E-banking: This enables the bank to deliver its services easily to its high end customers.
To make the system user friendly to all clients, banks have used a Graphical User
Interface (GUI), with this software, customers can access their bank details on their own
computers, make money transfers from one account to another, print bank statements
and inquire about their financial transactions. Another technology used by banks to
exchange data between the bank and clients is called Electronic Data
Interchange (EDI); this software can be used to transmit business transaction in a
computer-readable form. So the client on the other end will be in position to read the
information clearly.

• NRC Banking Services: This technology has been embraced in countries like
Bangladesh, India, USA, UAE, just to mention but a few. Since many people go abroad
to work, they have a need of supporting their families. So technology has made it simple
for them to send money to their loved ones easily.

• RURAL Banking: Unlike in the past when banking was centralized in urban areas, now
day’s technology has made it simple to set up banking facilities in rural areas. For
example: In Bangladesh, We have mobile money banking facilities. In this case a user in
a rural area will have an account with a mobile company which is opened for free. They
can then deposit money on that account via a nearby mobile money operating center. This
money can be withdrawn at any time any were in that area and they can also receive or
send money using the same system.

• Plastic money: Credit cards or smart cards like ‘’VISA ELECTRON’’ have made the
banking industry more flexible than before. With a credit card, a customer can borrow a
specific amount of money from the bank to purchase any thing and the bank bills them
later. In this case, they don’t have to go through the hassle of borrowing small money.
Then with ‘’Smart Cards’’ like visa electron , a customer can pay for anything using that
card and that money is deducted from their bank accounts automatically, they can also
use the same card to deposit or withdraw money from their accounts using an ATM
machine.

• Self-inquiry facility: Instead of customers lining up or going to the help desk, banks have
provided simple self-inquiry systems on all branches. A customer can use their ATM card
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to know their account balance, or to get their bank statement. This saves time on both
sides.

• Remote banking: Banks have installed ATM machines in various areas; this means a
customer does not have to go to the main branch to make transactions. This facility has
also enabled anytime banking, because customers can use ATM machines to deposit
money on their accounts. Remote banking has helped people in rural areas improve on
their culture of saving money.

• Centralized Information results to quick services: This enables banks to transfer

information from one branch to another at ease. For example, if a customer registered
their account with a rural branch, they can still get details of their account while at the
main bran in an urban area.

• Signature retrieval facilities: Technology has played a big role in reducing fraud in
banks which protects its clients. For example, banks use a technology which verifies
signatures before a customer withdraws large sums of money on a specific account and
this reduces on the errors or risks which might arise due to forgery.

7) Business:
Today, most people live, work and have to do business in a deregulated global economy.
More and more individuals enjoy the freedom of choice. Technology and improved
communications seem unlikely to be able to overcome the more fundamental problems. In
effect, a number of trends with a direct impact on what it takes to succeed in the new world
of commerce are rising.

One of the first and largest applications of computers is keeping and managing business and
financial records. Most large companies keep the employment records of all their workers in
large databases that are managed by computer programs. Similar programs and databases are
used in business functions like billing customers; tracking payments received and payments
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to be made; and tracking supplies needed and items produced, stored, shipped, and sold. In
fact, practically all the information companies need to do business involves the use of
computers and Information Technology. Almost all the financial transactions in the world are
done electronically. Newer technologies like m-commerce have enabled almost everybody to
carry out routine financial transactions on the move.

On a smaller scale, many businesses have replaced cash registers with point-of-sale (POS)
terminals. These POS terminals not only print a sales receipt for the customer but also send
information to a computer database when each item is sold to maintain an inventory of items
on hand and items to be ordered. Computers have also become very important in modern
factories. Computer-controlled robots now do tasks that are hot, heavy, or hazardous. Robots
are also used to do routine, repetitive tasks in which boredom or fatigue can lead to poor
quality work.

With today's sophisticated hardware, software, and communications technologies, it is often

difficult to classify a system as belonging uniquely to one specific application program.
Organizations increasingly are consolidating their information needs into a single, integrated
information system. Management Information System (MIS), with the Chief Information
Officer (CIO) at its head, is a whole, new branch of enterprise management.
8) Governance:
The concept of e-governance is one of the most novel applications of Information Technology
whereby it is changing the lives of millions across the globe. Computerization of Government
activities makes it easier to supervise and audit, and makes the administration more
responsive to the needs of society. It also bridges the divide between the Government and the
people. Technologies like touch-screen kiosks help disseminate information on land records,
photo identity cards, pending bills etc. and enable even illiterate people to take more informed
decisions. Bangladesh is leading the world in the effective use of IT for elections.
9) Agriculture:
Information and communication have always mattered in agriculture. There was a time when
people in rural area have no information access. Their only living is directly or indirectly on
this agriculture. They have no information or idea what to do in case of any problem or
disaster. ICT makes access of information easier. If they have any problem, they can know
about it with solution just by calling expert in their cell phone. The benefits of this green
revolution greatly improved agricultural productivity.
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Technology has played a big role in developing the agricultural industry. Today it is possible
to grow crops in a desert by use of agricultural biotechnology. With this technology, plants
have been engineered to survive in drought conditions. Through genetic engineering scientists
have managed to introduce traits into existing genes with a goal of making crops resistant to
droughts and pests.

Let’s take a good example. A bacterium known as “Bacillus Thuringiensis” acts like a
reservoir, it enables crops to be insect-resistant, so these genetically modified crops will grow
without any interference from pests. The invention of this technology is being used in
developing countries to grow cash crops like cotton, since this genetically engineered cotton
plants are pest resistant, they grow better than the normal cotton plants hence yielding good
results.
A farmer uses to calculate the amount of grass available in the field. This saves the farmer
time and money, they will know how much is left and what to feed their animals. Technology
has turned farming into a real business, now farmers have electrified every process, a
consumer can place an order directly online, and the product will be transported from the farm
to the consumer in time when it’s still fresh. This saves the farmer money and it cuts out
mediators who tend to buy low from farmers and sell high to end consumers. Every farmer
uses this technology in their own way. Some use it to create fertilizers, others use it to market
their products, and others use it in production. So as a farmer, you have to specify what you
need.

Below is a summary on the use of technology in agriculture:

• Use of machines on farms. Now a farmer can cultivate on more than 2 acres of land with
less labor. The use of planters and harvesters makes the process so easy. In agriculture,
time and production are so important; you have to plant in time, harvest in time and deliver
to stores in time. Modern agricultural technology allows a small number of people to grow
vast quantities of food and fiber in a shortest period of time.
• Modern transportation: This helps in making products available on markets in time
from the farm. With modern transportation, consumers in Dubai will consume a fresh
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carrots from Africa with in the same day that carrot lives the garden in Africa. Modern
transportation technology facilities help farmers easily transport fertilizers or other farm
products to their farms, and it also speeds the supply of agricultural products from farms
to the markets where consumers get them on a daily basis.
• Cooling facilities: These are used by farmers to deliver tomatoes and other perishable
crops to keep them fresh as they transport them to the market. These cooling facilities are
installed in food transportation trucks, so crops like tomatoes will stay fresh upon
delivery. This is a win-win situation for both the consumers of these agricultural products
and the farmers. How? The consumer gets these products while still fresh and the farmer
will sell all their products because the demand will be high.
• Genetically produced plants like potatoes, can resist diseases and pests, which rewards
the farmer with good yields and saves them time. These crops grow very fast they produce
healthy yields. Since these are resistant to most diseases and pests, the farmer will spend
less money on pesticides, which in return increases on their (ROI) return on investment.
• Development of animal feeds. This has solved the problem of hunting for grass to feed
animals, now these feeds can be manufactured and consumed by animals. The price of
these feed is fair so that a low income farmer can afford them. Most of these manufactured
animal feeds have extra nutrition which improve on the animals’ health and the output of
these animals will also increase. In agriculture, the health of an animal will determine its
output. Poorly feed animals are always unhealthy and they produce very little results in
form of milk, meet, or fur.
• Breeding of animals which are resistant to diseases. Most of these genetically produced
animals will produce more milk or fur compared to normal animals. This benefits the
farmer because their production will be high. Cross breeding is very good in animal
grazing, cross breed animals are more strong and productive.
• Irrigation of plants. In dry areas like deserts, farmers have embraced technology to
irrigate their crops. A good example is in Egypt, were farmers use water pumps to collect
water from river Nile to their crops. Most of these farmers grow rice which needs a lot of
water, so they manage to grow this rice using irrigation methods enhanced by advanced
technology. Advanced water sprinklers are being used to irrigate big farms and this helps
the crops get enough water which is essential in their growth. Some farmers mix nutrients
in this water, so also improves on the growth of these crops.

10) Entertainment:
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The world of entertainment is constantly evolving with the invention of new technologies.
Digital broadcasting has changed the way we experience television, with more interactive
programs and participation. Digital cameras, printers and scanners have enabled more people
to experiment with image production. Computer gaming has been an important influence in
the development of graphical interfaces. Technology has been at the forefront of changes in
the production and distribution of music, as well as in the ways in which people can access
and listen to music all over the world.

11) Social Networking:

We now live in a global village where distance in no longer a barrier to social contact. This
unit will enable you to gain an understanding of the information and communication
technologies that drive our networked world and how they now permeate our everyday lives.
Different social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Myspace etc. are now connects
people all over the world.

12) News:
Information and communication technology makes news service easily available for everyone
in the world. Global messages and news are distributed through global media systems, such
as CNN, BBC etc. These agencies can distribute the any news throughout its worldwide
television system at the same time as it happened.
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13) Cultural Exchange:

Although global village is the idea of all people without boundary or any limitation, cultural
difference is always present all over the world. Through communicating with people with
different culture, we can learn their culture and they can be ours. This can be done by satellite
channels over television or social networking over internet or any other means.

1.4 Virtual Reality:

The definition of virtual reality comes, naturally from the both words ’virtual’ and ’reality’.
The definition of ’virtual’ is near reality, which is what we experience as human beings.
Answering "what is virtual reality" in technical term: Virtual reality is the term used to
describe a three-dimensional, computer generated environment which can be explored and
interacted by a person. Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that allows you to enter and
interact with a world that is generated by a computer. Special graphics, video images and
stereo sound make this artificial world seem real. The uses for virtual reality are wide ranging
and cover everything from games, driving a car or tracking a dinosaur, to helping doctors in
the surgery or teaching pilots to fly aircraft safely.
The uses for virtual reality are infinite. It can be used for air traffic control, medicine,
entertainment, office work and industrial design. However, along with the good, comes the
bad. Virtual reality could also be used for destructive purposes, such as war and crimes.

1.4.1 Different types of Virtual Reality

There are three main basic forms of virtual reality. Based on these virtual realities is divided
into many methods:
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• The first is perhaps the most common. It consists of a helmet which has small TV
screens and earphones fitted into it and a glove. The helmet and glove are linked to
computers, which are programmed with special sounds and graphics.
• The second form of virtual reality uses video cameras to track the image of the user
in a virtual world where you can also pick up or move objects. Both these VR systems
allow more than one person to take part at the same time.
• The final type of VR is where three- dimensional images are played on a large, curved
screen. The shape of the screen helps to give you a greater sense of being in the virtual
world. By wearing special 3-D glasses, this effect can be greatly improved.
Based on user’s interaction with the virtual environment and how users are represented within
the virtual environment, there are two types of VR:
• Immersive Virtual Reality: In this type of virtual reality, the user wears a head-mounted
display. The view of the virtual world is controlled through head movements. The virtual
environment is seen at full-scale. Immersive virtual reality systems require substantial
hardware and software. These systems are very expensive and generally limited to
research laboratory use only.
• Non-immersive Virtual Reality: This type of virtual reality refers to all systems that do
not involve the use of head-mounted displays to control the user’s view of the virtual
environment. Instead, users view the virtual environment on a two-dimensional flat screen
and interact with it through a variety of motion-detecting interfaces.

Non-immersive virtual reality can be divided in following types:

• Camera/Video-Based Virtual Reality: The user interacts with the virtual environment
through body movements. Motion-capture virtual reality systems involve the use of
special camera to capture the user’s body movements. There are number of cameras
placed around the room. For example: a man writing something sitting on the box. And
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this complete thing is captured by cameras around him and converted into animation.
This technology usually used for making of movies and games.
• Sensor-Based Virtual Reality: Here the user interacts with the virtual environment
using a sensor device (e.g. remote, platform, robot or glove). In this type of virtual reality,
interaction with the virtual environment is through a type of sensor device that the user
holds, wears or stands upon. This kind of VR also used in movies & games. For example:
a man wears a helmet type sensor device and his face turns into the Chimpanzee face. So
in movie you can see the Chimpanzee face instead of normal face. Or another man wears
some small sensor devices around his body and how he is turned into a computer game
character.
• Computer Games: Here user interacts with the virtual environment via a mouse,
joystick, keyboard or other device. This type of virtual reality system involves upper
extremity movement to manipulate a device. This technology used for mainly video
games console like Xbox or PlayStation. These games are usually known as Kinect
games. As you see in the figure: 7, there is a small device on the gaming monitor. It is
the device that understands your body movement and uses it in the games

1.4.2 Virtual Reality in Our Life: Good or Bad

Whether virtual reality will have positive or negative implications on the social life is
debatable, but one thing is certain: VR will play an increasingly important role in public and
private life, as we move towards the future. There seems to be little doubt among thinkers of
the social impact of VR, as much as television has and the Internet is. But like everything,
humankind will adapt by necessity. From health to education, art to government, virtual
reality will increasingly make its presence felt and change the way we perceive things.
Pros of VR:
• Virtual Reality enables user to explore places.
• Through Virtual Reality, user can experiment with an artificial environment.
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• Virtual Reality makes the education more easy and comfortable.
• It makes industrial works more easy, efficient and safe.
• VR can simulate lots of training program like flying plane, driving car etc.
Cons of VR:
• The equipment’s used in virtual reality are very expensive.
• It consists of complex technology.
• This new technology cannot be used by everyone. Only large companies have access
to current technology.
In the future, we will only be limited by our imagination regarding the uses of virtual
reality. Thus it is neither good nor bad, but rather what we make of it.

1.5 Contemporary Trends of ICT

• Artificial Intelligence:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that studies and develops
intelligent machines and software. AI enables a system to tackle complex tasks and adapt for
new situations. It makes the computer perform tasks that are normally done by humans. In
other words, artificial intelligence allows the computer to think like humans. It helps
machines to make complex judgmental calls, solve complex problems, which is quite
impossible for human.
Although mainly associated with computer science, Artificial intelligence has number of
applications in fields such as agriculture, medicine, math and biology. Heavy Industries and
Space, Finance, Computer Science, Aviation, Weather Forecast, Swarm Intelligence etc. are
some common field where AI is used.

From SIRI to self-driving cars, artificial intelligence (AI) is progressing rapidly. While
science fiction often portrays AI as robots with human-like characteristics, AI can encompass
anything from Google’s search algorithms to IBM’s Watson to autonomous weapons.

Artificial intelligence today is properly known as narrow AI (or weak AI), in that it is
designed to perform a narrow task (e.g. only facial recognition or only internet searches or
only driving a car). However, the long-term goal of many researchers is to create general AI
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(AGI or strong AI). While narrow AI may outperform humans at whatever its specific task
is, like playing chess or solving equations, AGI would outperform humans at nearly every
cognitive task.

Examples of Artificial Intelligence we’re using in our life:

Artificial intelligence (AI) might seem like the realm of science fiction, but you might be
surprised to find out that you’re already using it. AI has a huge effect on your life, whether
you’re aware of it or not, and its influence is likely to grow in the coming years. Here are 10
examples of artificial intelligence that we’re already using every day.

1. Virtual Personal Assistants

Siri, Google Now, and Cortana are all intelligent digital personal assistants on various
platforms (iOS, Android, and Windows Mobile). In short, they help find useful information
when you ask for it using your voice; you can say “Where’s the nearest Chinese restaurant?”,
“What’s on my schedule today?”, “Remind me to call Jerry at eight o’clock,” and the assistant
will respond by finding information, relaying information from your phone, or sending
commands to other apps.
AI is important in these apps, as they collect information on your requests and use that
information to better recognize your speech and serve you results that are tailored to your
preferences. Microsoft says that Cortana “continually learns about its user” and that it will
eventually develop the ability to anticipate users’ needs. Virtual personal assistants process a
huge amount of data from a variety of sources to learn about users and be more effective in
helping them organize and track their information.
2. Video Games
One of the instances of AI that most people are probably familiar with, video game AI has
been used for a very long time—since the very first video games, in fact. But the complexity
and effectiveness of that AI has increased exponentially over the past several decades,
resulting in video game characters that learn your behaviors, respond to stimuli, and react in
unpredictable ways. 2014’s Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor is especially notable for the
individual personalities given to each non-player character, their memories of past interaction,
and their variable objectives.
First-person shooters like Far Cry and Call of Duty also make significant use of AI, with
enemies that can analyze their environments to find objects or actions that might be beneficial
to their survival; they’ll take cover, investigate sounds, use flanking maneuvers, and
communicate with other AIs to increase their chances of victory. As far as AI goes, video
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games are somewhat simplistic, but because of the industry’s huge market, a great deal of
effort and money are invested every year in perfecting this type of AI.
3. Smart Cars
You probably haven’t seen someone reading the newspaper while driving to work yet, but
self-driving cars are moving closer and closer to reality; Google’s self-driving car project and
Tesla’s “autopilot” feature are two examples that have been in the news lately. Earlier this
year, the Washington Post reported on an algorithm developed by Google that could
potentially let self-driving cars learn to drive in the same way that humans do: through
experience.
The AI detailed in this article learned to play simple video games, and Google will be testing
that same intelligence in driving games before moving onto the road. The idea is that,
eventually, the car will be able to “look” at the road ahead of it and make decisions based on
what it sees, helping it learn in the process. While Tesla’s autopilot feature isn’t quite this
advanced, it’s already being used on the road, indicating that these technologies are certainly
on their way in.

4. Purchase Prediction
Large retailers like Target and Amazon stand to make a lot of money if they can anticipate
your needs. Amazon’s anticipatory shipping project hopes to send you items before you need
them, completely obviating the need for a last-minute trip to the online store. While that
technology isn’t yet in place, brick-and-mortar retailers are using the same ideas with
coupons; when you go to the store, you’re often given a number of coupons that have been
selected by a predictive analytics algorithm.

This can be used in a wide variety of ways, whether it’s sending you coupons, offering you
discounts, targeting advertisements, or stocking warehouses that are close to your home with
products that you’re likely to buy. As you can imagine, this is a rather controversial use of
AI, and it makes many people nervous about potential privacy violations from the use of
predictive analytics.

5. Fraud Detection
Have you ever gotten an email or a letter asking you if you made a specific purchase on your
credit card? Many banks send these types of communications if they think there’s a chance
that fraud may have been committed on your account, and want to make sure that you approve
the purchase before sending money over to another company. Artificial intelligence is often
the technology deployed to monitor for this type of fraud.
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In many cases, computers are given a very large sample of fraudulent and non-fraudulent
purchases and asked to learn to look for signs that a transaction falls into one category or
another. After enough training, the system will be able to spot a fraudulent transaction based
on the signs and indications that it learned through the training exercise.

6. Security Surveillance
A single person monitoring a number of video cameras isn’t a very secure system; people get
bored easily, and keeping track of multiple monitors can be difficult even in the best of
circumstances. Which is why training computers to monitor those cameras makes a great deal
of sense. With supervised training exercises, security algorithms can take input from security
cameras and determine whether there may be a threat—if it “sees” a warning sign, it will alert
human security officers.

Of course, the number of things that these computers can catch is currently pretty limited.
Identifying actions that might imply a thief in a store are likely beyond the current
technological limitations, but don’t be surprised if this sort of technology debuts in the near
future.

7. Smart Home Devices

Many smart home devices now include the ability to learn your behavior patterns and help
you save money by adjusting the settings on your thermostat or other appliances in an effort
to increase convenience and save energy. For example, turning your oven on when you leave
work instead of waiting to get home is a very convenient ability. A thermostat that knows
when you’re home and adjusts the temperature accordingly can help you save money by not
heating the house when you’re out.
Lighting is another place where you might see basic artificial intelligence; by setting defaults
and preferences, the lights around your house (both inside and outside) might adjust based on
where you are and what you’re doing; dimmer for watching TV, brighter for cooking, and
somewhere in the middle for eating, for example. The uses of AI in smart homes are limited
only by our imagination.

Your smartphone, your car, your bank, and your house all use artificial intelligence on a daily
basis; sometimes it’s obvious what its’ doing, like when you ask Siri to get you directions to
the nearest gas station. Sometimes it’s less obvious, like when you make an abnormal
purchase on your credit card and don’t get a fraud alert from your bank. AI is everywhere,
and it’s making a huge difference in our lives every day.
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• Robotics:
Robotics is the branch of technology that deals
with the design, construction, operation and
application of robots. It also deals with
computer systems for their control, sensory
system and information processing. These
technologies deal with automated machines
that can take the place of humans in dangerous
environments. Robotics brings together
several very different engineering areas and
skills.

Robots are used in many fields and some of them are: Vehicle and car factories, Precision
cutting, lasers, Mounting circuits on electronic devices (i.e. mobile phones), Working where
there might be danger (i.e. nuclear leaks, bomb disposal), performing robotic assisted
surgeries, manufacturing, such as certain repetitive steps in assembly lines or for painting
products, working in the heat of drying and treating ovens on wood products, military
operations, Space programs etc.

What robots can do?

Robotics is highly advanced technology that strives to develop robots for various
applications. Let us have a look at robots already invented and being used in the industry.

1) Industrial robots: Industrial robots are electronically controlled, both programmable

and reprogrammable to carry out certain tasks with high precision and accuracy. Robots have
been extensively used in highly advanced manufacturing facilities or high volume assembly
lines for a long time. They are efficient and produce high yields or output. The most common
use of robots is in the automobile industry where they are used for various applications like
welding, painting, etc. The robots can carry out tasks which are very difficult or hazardous
for human beings.
Because robots use a perfect copy of exact strategy for troubleshooting purposes, issues and
solutions can easily be resolved and implemented. With proper maintenance procedures and
schedules, machine wear-out or breakdowns can easily be predicted, resolved and controlled.
Over-all, manufacturing plants run by industrial robots can run smoothly without much
trouble and with less interactions of humans.
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2) Aerospace robots: Another application of robots is in aerospace for outer space
exploration. Aerospace robots or unmanned robotic spacecraft play a key role in outer space
probe. Scientists can explore in outer space without putting themselves in great danger
considering the risks involved if they go to outer space themselves. With controlled robots,
the same results can be achieved safely. The risk to lose a human life in outer space has been
greatly avoided.
3) HealthCare delivery: A highly possible advancement in healthcare is using robots in
robotic surgery. Due to technological advancement, this is possible even if the patient is
located in remote areas. This possibility defies distance. With the proper tools and set-up in
place, proper healthcare could be delivered to the patient even in remote areas without the
corresponding risks involved.
4) Robots resembling human beings and robotic pets: At home, human-like robots and
robotic pets have always been considered friends and companions. They can play a musical
instrument, sing, dance, etc. only to please us humans for our own comfort.
5) Military robots: Possibly the worst part of robotic application is in military use, as it
may curtail human life instead of upholding it. You can conquer or be conquered with a robot.

With robots becoming more common each and every day, it is important to understand both
the advantages and disadvantages that robots have. This will help enable people to better
determine when to use and when to not use robots.

The Advantages of Robots

1. Cost: The most obvious advantage of robots is their cost. Robots are cheaper than most
human counterparts, and their costs are still decreasing.
2. Abilities: Robotic abilities, what robots can do, are now extremely vast and growing.
3. Productivity: Robots do not tire and can work very long hours without service or
maintenance. As a result, robots can be significantly more productive than people.
4. Precision: Robots can be much more precise than people. For instance, robots should not
tremble or shake as human hands do. Furthermore, robots can have much smaller and
versatile moving parts than people. As a result, robots have even performed medical
surgeries, because they can be more precise than people.
5. Strength: Without a doubt, robots can be significantly stronger than people.
6. Speed: Additionally, robots can be significantly faster than people too.
7. Size: Robots can come in any size. Whatever size needed for any task can be created.
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8. Environment: Robots can be designed to work in extremely harsh environments, such as
in space, without air, underwater, fire, etc. Thus, robots can be used instead of people
when human safety is a concern.
9. Dangerous and Unwanted Work: Finally, robots can do jobs that people are unwilling
to do. For instance, many robotic probes have been sent throughout the solar system to
never return back to Earth. I don’t think many people would be willing to do those types
of jobs.
10. Warfare: Using robots in warfare eliminates putting more people at risk and has proven
to be very successful.

The Disadvantages of Robots

1. Jobs: In my opinion, the biggest issue with using robots is the huge loss of jobs for people.
Basically, robots have eradicated a wide range of middle class jobs in several industries,
such as car manufacturing.
2. Limited Functionality: Robots are very good at doing perfectly defined jobs, however
robots typically do not handle the unexpected as well as people do.
3. Lack of Intelligence: Since robots are not intelligent or sentient, robots can never
improve the results of their jobs outside of their predefined programming. In other words,
robots do not think. At least, not yet.
4. Lack of Emotions or Conscience: Similarly, robots do not have emotions or conscience;
therefore, robots lack empathy and all of the advantages that come with it. As a result,
this limits how robots can help and interact with people.
5. Colonization: While robots can be sent to other planets and distance moons to help
colonize them, they cannot build an independent functioning society.
6. Dangerous: Robots can be extremely dangerous. Whether robots are malfunctioning or
designed for warfare, robots can be very hazardous to people.

In conclusion, robots have a wide range of advantages and disadvantages. And their
utilization will only increase through time and with more technological advances. Hopefully,
this article will help people to better determine when to use and when to not use robots.

• Cryosurgery:
Cryosurgery (cryotherapy) is the application of extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased
tissue. It is a technique for freezing and killing targeted cells. It is used to treat cancer and
some precancerous or noncancerous conditions and can be used inside of the body and on the
skin.
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Cryotherapy works by lowering the skin temperature of the body very rapidly for a short
period of time, usually for just a couple of minutes. This is accomplished by spraying the
body with non-toxic nitrogen. This dramatic but brief reduction in the body’s temperature
causes an immediate boost to the body’s immune system. This changed physiology within
the body, which results accelerated healing and promote increased wellbeing in all of the
body’s organs, cells and systems.

Cryosurgery offers advantages over other methods of cancer treatment. It is less invasive than
surgery, involving only a small incision or insertion of the cryoprobe (an instrument for this
treatment) through the skin. Consequent pains, bleeding of surgery are minimized.
Cryosurgery is less expensive than other treatments and requires shorter recovery time and a
shorter hospital stay or no hospital stay at all.
• Space Exploration:
NASA Land Rover "Curiosity" on the Mars
Space exploration means, exploration of the universe beyond Earth’s atmosphere by manned
and unmanned spacecraft and the use of the information so gained to increase knowledge for
benefit of humanity. Although the possibility of exploring space has long excited people in
many walks of life, for most of the latter 20th century, only some of the governments in world
could afford the very high costs of launching people and machines into space. Government
space programs have increased knowledge, served as indicators of national prestige and
power, enhanced national security and military strength and provided significant benefits to
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the general people. Peoples involving with this kind of programs are highly respected all over
the world.
Although the list of achievement is very
big, but we are only giving some greatest
achievement of space programs: First
human spaceflight (Yuri Gagarin)(1961),
First woman in space (Valentina
Tereshkova)(1963), First artificial satellite
around another world (1966), First human
on the Moon (1969), First photos and soil
samples from the surface of Mars(1976), First Venus soil samples & sound recording of
another world (1982), First spacecraft beyond the orbit of Neptune (first spacecraft to pass
beyond all Solar System planets)(1983), Kepler Mission (where first space telescope
designated to search for Earth-like planets)(2009), successful landing of nuclear powered
NASA land rover "Curiosity" on Mars to seek out alien life clues (2012).
• ICT Dependent Production:
ICT allows for increased scale and speed of machinery operations in production. Increased
capability comes about through the automated control hardware embedded in the machinery
and the process that monitor and control factory operations. It can reduce costs as
factory/office locates away from expensive city centers or locate in areas where there are
cheaper labor operations. These can lead to less waste in production.
• Defense:
Defense industry is one of the vital sector in most nations. It is one of the many industries
which are strongly impacted by Information and Communication Technology. ICT and
defense industry have a direct relationship with one another and advancement in ICT brings
benefits to the development in defense industry and vice versa. For example, the Internet, one
of the cores of ICT era, was first invented in the late 1950s to be used in defensive manner in
cold war.
Some examples of use of ICT in defense are: Various types of radar for land, sea and air
usage. Optronic (optical electronics) system, Telecommunication system for all levels
(Sections, Platoons, Companies, Regiments, Brigades, Divisions, as well as Corps),
Electronic countermeasures equipment, Battlefield Management System (BMS) etc.
• Biometrics:
Biometrics is the science and technology of measuring and analyzing biological data. In
information technology, biometrics refers to technologies that measure and analyze human
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body characteristics, such as DNA, fingerprints, eye retinas and irises, voice patterns, facial
patterns and hand measurements for authentication/identification purposes. These
characteristics are unique for any human being. So this kind of security system is very hard
to break. This kind of security check can be done in simple manner. At first a person needs
to be giving biometric information like fingerprint or eye retinal information or voice pattern
through some device. These devices are normally different for each kind of security. After
taking biometric information of that person, the system checks his biometric information into
database. If there is a match, then positive identification will be confirmed. Otherwise that
person won’t granted for access.

Different Types of Biometric Security

Biometrics is used in many purposes like law enforcement and forensic cases (for example:
identification of criminals, surveillance), government sector (for example: national
Identification cards, voter ID and elections, driver’s licenses, benefits of social service,
employee authentication, military programs), banking and financial services (for example:
account access, ATMs, online banking, telephony transaction, e-commerce, time and
attendance monitoring), health care sector (for example: patient identification, access to
personal data), travel/immigration sector (for example: air travel, border crossing, passports)
etc.
• Bioinformatics:
Fields of Study in Bioinformatics
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Bioinformatics is the application of computer technology
to the management of biological information. The
science of bioinformatics actually develops biological
software for computer to analyze and record the data
related to biology. For example: the data of genes,
proteins, drug ingredients and metabolic pathways. Biological software and databases provide
the scientists this opportunity, so that the data can be extracted from these databases easily
and can be used by the scientists.
Bioinformatics joins mathematics, statistics and computer science & information technology
to solve complex biological problems. These problems are usually such level, which cannot
be solved by other means. This interesting field of science has many applications and research
areas where it can be applied like DNA Sequence Analysis, Prediction of Protein Structure,
Genome Annotation, Comparative Genomics, Health and Drug discovery.
• Genetic Engineering:
Normal Rice vs. Vitamin A Enriched Genetic
Engineered Rice
Genetic engineering is the process of
manually adding new DNA to an organism
(any living being). The goal is to add one or
more new traits, which are not already found
in that organism. It is like taking a single
picture/article out of a book and placing it into
another book. Examples of genetically engineered (transgenic) organisms currently on the
market include plants with resistance to some insects, plants that can tolerate herbicides and
crops with modified oil content or crops with better healthy ingredient. For example Golden
Rice grains are enriched with vitamin A, which is easily recognizable by their yellow to
orange color.
Genetic engineering has produced a variety of drugs and hormones for medical use. The
evolving field of gene therapy involves manipulating human genes to treat or cure genetic
diseases and disorders.

• Nanotechnology:
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Nanotechnology is technology where science, engineering and technology conducted at the
nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nanometers. Nanoscience and nanotechnology are the
study and application of extremely small things and can be used across all the other science
fields, such as chemistry, biology, physics, materials science and engineering. A relative scale
comparison is given following figure: 14.

Relative Comparison Scale

Nanotechnology can be applied in many fields like medical purpose, electronics tools, food
production, space programs, fuel, clothing, sporting goods, environmental safety cases etc.
1.6 Morality in using Information & Communication Technology
Information Technology readily admitted that, although human beings pose themselves moral
problems concerning technologies, the objects in themselves do not have a moral dimension.
What is right and what is wrong, it is very difficult to decide. What seems wrong at this
moment can be right tomorrow. Right or wrong can be decided, depending only: how you use
it and how you think. ICT is a very powerful area. You have this power doesn’t mean you
will do whatever you want with it. That’s why moral issues are very important here.
The Internet is a vast source of information but it can also be used for spreading pornography,
invading people’s privacy with unwanted advertising or any other means and makes it easier
for criminals to organize their activities. So there are number of ethical issues related to the
ICT become matters now. We will discuss about these now.
• Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is where the work of others (original work like thought, ideas and language) is
copied without permission, but the author presents it as his or her own work. This is a highly
unethical practice, but happens quite frequently and with easy access of information through
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internet. For example: you planned for a unique project in science fair. A friend of your heard
your idea and made it himself. This is plagiarism.
• Piracy:
Piracy is illegal copying of software and it is a very serious problem and it is estimated that
approximately 50% of all programs on PCs are pirated copies. Programmers spend hours and
hours designing these software’s. Although some might argue that some pirating at least
should be permitted as it can help to lead to a more computer literate population. But, for
corporations, in particular, this is a very serious issue and can significantly damage their
profit. For example latest operating system like windows 8 is highly expensive (about 13,000
to 15,000 Bangladeshi taka). Now you will buy it original or download pirated copy from
internet illegally for free or buy pirated version from market that costs only 40 to 80
Bangladeshi taka. It completely depends on your morality.
• Hacking:
Hackers break into or ’hack’ a computer system. Hacking can be undertaken for a variety of
reasons, such as the wish to damage a system or the wish to understand how a system works,
so that money can be made out of it. Alternatively, there might be a desire to alert people to
the fact that a system is insecure and needs improving. Due to this, some might argue that
“they are not bad people, in fact they are helping us”. But if someone hacks into your
computer, change something and sends you a message “your computer is not safe”, Will you
allow it?
• Digital Divide:
The digital divide poses a serious problem today. A new breed of ’haves’ and ’have not’s are
being created. For example: someone has iPhone/Samsung Galaxy S4. And other feels bad
because they don’t have these gadgets. There are clearly serious ethical implications here.
• Nanotechnology:
Nanotechnology presents a new set of ethical dilemmas. Nanotechnology could help
humankind and help to provide adequate food and shelter. On the other hand, it could be very
dangerous. There are various environmental issues to consider like air pollution due to
nanotechnology.
• Genetic Engineering and the Patenting of Life-Forms:
Many ethical issues are raised in regard to genetic engineering and the patenting of life forms.
We can create something, which is not natural. But it can help human life. Is such behavior
morally acceptable? You can debate years after years, but you won’t get any universally
accepted answer.
• Issues of Data Collection, Storage and Access:
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There are many moral issues that need to be considered in regard to the collection, storage
and access of data in network or internet. For example: if you search something in Google,
your search, search results, web activity due to that search can be used by Google. That why
maximum IT related software has “Data Usage Policy”, which will tell you, what they get
against the service you get from them. Most of the cases, you can’t do anything about it. So,
naturally moral issues rise.
• Privacy Invasion:
In most of the countries, rights of the general people are protected by their constitution. So
government or anybody can’t just snoop around your internet activities or your house and
monitor you. Now it is not valid if you are involved into criminal activity. So, naturally moral
issues rise.

1.7 Cyber Crime

Cybercrime is criminal activities, using computers and the Internet. Computer crime is one
of the fastest-growing types of illegal activity internationally. While the Internet links people
together like never before, it also provides endless opportunity to criminals seeking to exploit
the vulnerabilities of others. Debarati Halder and Dr. K. Jaishankar (2011) define
Cybercrimes as:
"Offences that are committed against individuals or groups of individuals with a criminal
motive to intentionally harm the reputation of the victim or cause physical or mental harm to
the victim directly or indirectly, using modern telecommunication networks such as Internet
(Chat rooms, emails, and websites) and mobile phones (SMS/MMS)"
Cybercriminals use computers in three broad ways:
• Select computer as their target: These criminals attack other people’s computers to
perform criminal activities such as spreading viruses, stealing data, stealing identity
etc.
• Uses computer as their weapon: They use the computer to carry out "conventional
crime", such as spam, fraud, illegal gambling etc.
• Uses computer as their accessory: They use the computer to save stolen or illegal
data.

Here we will discuss some cybercrimes in short.

• Email Spam:
It also known as junk email or unsolicited bulk email (UBE). It is an identical messages
sent to numerous recipients by email. Clicking on links in spam email may redirect users
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to phishing websites where you could lose your important information like password,
bank account number, credit card etc. Spam email may also include malware as scripts or
other executable file attachments which may harm your computer.
• Theft of Telecommunications Services (Phone Fraud):
About three decades ago "phone freak" were become major criminal groups. By gaining
access to an organization’s telephone switchboard (PBX) individuals or criminal
organizations can make their own calls or sell call time to third parties. Criminals may
gain access to the switchboard by impersonating a technician or by fraudulently obtaining
an employee’s access code or by using software available on the internet. Now a days 809
scam or Wangiri scam are well known phone fraud all over the world. This can be done
by only calling victim’s phone. If victim received the call or call back that number,
victim’s money in his/her phone account can be drained out without any warning. Most
of the cases these are international calls and often these process are legally done (as
international calls are highly charged). And victim has nothing to do or nothing to
complain.
• Phone Hacking:
It is quite different from previous one. Phone hacking is the practice of intercepting
telephone calls or voicemail messages, often done without any knowledge of the phone
owners. It is illegal in most countries. Although couple of countries pass laws, to make it
legal only for some exceptional cases. Which means government agency can legally
intercept any call of any suspect, which is known as surveillance. But it is limited into
home country only. You can’t do this in foreign countries. Other than government agency
it will be considered as act of crime.
• Internet Fraud:
Internet fraud is the use of Internet services or software with Internet access to defraud
victims or to otherwise take advantage of them. For example: a criminal accessed your
computer and takes your personal information like photo which you want to keep private.
Now he demands money in exchange of not using them or not publishing them in internet
or public. Or he got your credit card information and took all your money without your
knowledge. Most of these fraud are done by phishing websites and hacking.
• Identity Theft:
Identity theft is a form of stealing someone’s identity in which someone pretends to be
someone else by stealing/using that person’s identity without permission. This kind of
crimes is often occurred with celebrity or well-known reputed persons. For example:
someone started a website claiming that it is the website of movie star. The criminal
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updates information and his thought claiming that it was actually thought of that star. But
reality is, that movie star has no knowledge about this. This type of activity considered as
an act of crime. This is often done in social websites like Facebook, Google+, and Twitter
etc.
• Obscene or Offensive Content:
The content of websites and other electronic communications may be distasteful, obscene
or offensive for a variety of reasons like pornography or extreme violent or racism. In
some instances these may be illegal in most of the cases. The extent to which these
communications are unlawful varies greatly between countries and even within nations.
For example: if someone publishing something about prime minister or government,
which is not true, then this will be considered as a crime. But if it is sarcasm, then often
it won’t consider as crime. Again spreading pornography, racist content, contents that are
lie, encouraging terrorism with wrongful believe etc. are also considered as a crime. This
kind of crime sometimes leads to massive violence.
• Piracy & Violating Intellectual Property:
Internet piracy is the unlawful, reproduction and/or distribution of any copyrighted digital
file for profiting purpose or sometimes without any purpose. This can be done with music
files, videos and movies, e-books, software’s and other copyright protected materials.
People related with these contents are harmed financially, with this crime. Often they
can’t reach their targeted profit with their work.
• Harassment:
Whereas content may be offensive in a non-specific way, harassment directs obscenities
and derogatory comments at specific individuals focusing, for example: on gender, race,
religion, nationality, sexual orientation. This often occurs in chat rooms, news group or
by sending email or mobile message at targeted individual or parties. Any comment that
may be found derogatory or offensive is considered harassment. If you insult someone
due to his abnormal characteristics or physical disabilities, it also considered as a crime.

• Drug Trafficking:
Selling illegal substances through encrypted e-mail and other Internet Technology is
illegal. Some drug traffickers arrange deals at internet cafes, use courier Web sites to
distribute drugs. And it is considered as a crime.
• Cyber Terrorism:
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Cyber terrorism is the use of Internet based attacks of terrorist group, including acts of
deliberate, disruption of computer networks by the means of tools such as computer
viruses. Objectives of this crime may be political or ideological. But it will still considered
as crime.

Law against Cyber Crime in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh according to Revised Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Act Ordinance-2013 law enforcers can arrest any cybercriminal without any warrant and it
is punishable by maximum 14 years in jail and 10 million BDT as fine. According to law
these crimes will be non-bail able.

1.8 Effects of Information & Communication Technology in Social Life

Whether we are aware of it or not, we are surrounded by networks through which information
flows constantly. Our notions of time and location are changing the world seems to have
become a “global village” where distance is no longer a barrier to commercial or social
contact.
As human being we are always attach with lot of essential things in our life. Jobs, education,
retailing and banking these are the compulsory things in our life. It has contributed a lot to
exchange our life from writing a letter which could take one month to arrive to the receiver
to writing an e-mail which can be received by the receiver in maximum one minute, from
going to the shop to choose and buy things using e-commerce and no one even needs to go to
the shop to collect their goods.
The technology helped us in our education system. This has introduced the easiest way of
learning and teaching for both students and the teachers. It has also introduced us to know
about modern discoveries and also historical things as well. We can use internet everywhere
instead of stick with books and also we can watch videos on the internet to get more ideas
about the topic that we interest on.
Information and technology has helped a lot in the field of jobs. This field has appeared as a
solution to increase the number of employments and reduce the number of unemployment in
our society. IT industry created a lot of job facilities for people who have skills in IT. It has
created jobs like- Web developer, network administrator, computer game designer, IT
technicians etc.
When we get sick, most of we don’t want to go to anywhere instead of staying at home. But
we had to move on from that point and we had to forcefully take ourselves to the doctors.
Taking appointment, talking to the receptionist, describing the problem we have and then then
waiting for it, increases our illness. This is when IT comes to help us. Now days we don’t
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need to go to the doctor and describe our problems, we can use Internet to contact with our
doctor.
IT has introduced a lot of things which prevents people committing crime. CCTV camera,
GPS system, using database for finding criminals record are some unique thing which cannot
be possible without the blessing of IT. In common days police uses GPS to track someone’s
stolen or suspected car, mobile phone if it has been stolen or used for crime. Police uses
CCTV camera to detect criminals’ face. Fingerprint is another especial method with which
the police can identify criminals. This is making our life safer and very easy in many ways.

1.9 Information & Communication Technology & Economic Development

The economic development of a society largely depends on the access to information. ICT is
already a significant part of the developing world’s economy. Many developing countries like
Bangladesh are specializing in the new economy, supporting the global demand for ICT.
Bangladesh is trying reap the benefit out of this sector for her growth and development. Now
ICT can reach out to the rural people and enrich their knowledge and information. Due to
available cheap and useful technology like mobile phone and their service, economic
development breaks any previous records.
According to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) total number
of Mobile Phone subscribers in Bangladesh has reached 109.349 million at the end of August
2013. And total number of Internet Subscribers has reached 36249.018 thousand at the end
of August 2013. Most of the people use their mobile for accessing information through
internet.
Mobile phones reduce the cost of running a business and in some cases, the technology could
even enable a user to start one. A good example of this would be the case of the many people
in Bangladesh who have been able to start small businesses without having to shell out money.
Clients can easily contact them via their mobile numbers to set up an appointment and enjoy
their services. It enables users to access valuable information such as prices, arbitrage and
market or trade opportunities which could better prepare them for business transactions.
Mobile telephony has empowered farmers and fishers to realize their potential as business
people as they directly engage in bargaining processes with their customers. Buyers can use
their mobile phones to find out where the best quality and well-priced products are in the
market. The use of mobile phones can correct market inefficiencies, therefore regaining the
balance in the supply market. The information and services that could be available through
mobile phones would prevent exploitation by middlemen or traders, provide employment
opportunities (particularly for rural women), reduce information gaps, save cost and time and
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strengthen access of service providers to rural people. Community relevant information
regarding education, emergency situations, markets, weather, etc. could be shared to empower
rural people economically.
Realizing the importance of ICT in economic development many countries all over the world
made information more accessible to their people. High speed internet which provides
gateway to the development is now available in cheap most of the country. Bangladesh
government also reduced bandwidth price in regular manner, for sake of easy and cheap
availability of information access. And government is already started to getting its results.