Whether it’s Youtube for videos or Flicker for photographs, the ever increasing demand for entertainment leads to the creation of more and more websites dedicates to displaying amateur “art” in the hopes of widespread popularity. As evidenced by the recent sale of YouTube to Google for $1.65 Billion, once a website gains widespread popularity, riches are not far away. This trend has increased the demand for new and entertaining content. Most times such services rely on self-submitted videos, photos or articles, but as more sites pop up, available supply dwindles. Consequently, a phenomenon commonly referred to as “website hacking” has become more and more popular. This form of hacking occurs when an individual uses some service or sight to put up their own video, photo or blog, in order to share that particular medium with known friends. Hackers looking for new and original content will often hack this information and use it on their own site, in an attempt to gain hits and popularity in the effort to be the next YouTube.

An employee should never assume that they’re emails that are sent and received, are kept in complete privacy from their employers. Under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) it provides for implied authorization to review employee emails, and that a company should state their policy of monitoring e-mails in the company handbook. However, pursuant to Title III of the ECPA, it unlawful for anyone to intentionally intercept any email communication while it is en route. ECPA 18 USC 2701.

Instant messaging or “IM” a technology permitting users to send and receive text messages to one or multiple parties without a time delay between sending and receipt of the message is a powerful tool. Using this technology is similar to having a conversation with another person; just like that person was in the room with you. The difference is that the two or more people may be several miles or even continents apart. The benefit of this technology would seem to be obvious, in that a conversation can take place much like one were on a telephone, but without the long distance fees. However, this “IM” technology can also lead to great liability for those who take advantage of its electronic conversation capabilities.