Internet Usage, Security, and Unified Communication Providers Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of internet usage, exploring both its positive and negative impacts on businesses and society. It delves into the advantages of internet use, such as enhanced communication, access to information, and business growth through online platforms. Conversely, it highlights the drawbacks, including marketing complexities, negative feedback, and price-driven competition. The report also examines the security threats associated with internet applications, such as Trojans, viruses, and spyware, and discusses essential security measures like multi-factor authentication, encrypted emails, firewalls, and strong passwords. Furthermore, it includes a comparison of two unified communication providers, BT Group and Sky Company, evaluating their characteristics, applications, and suitability for business needs. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding both the benefits and risks of internet usage to ensure secure and effective utilization in various contexts.

Integrated Professional
Skills in the Digital Age

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
1.Positive & negative use of Internet...............................................................................................3
Usage of internet to organisation................................................................................................3
2.Security measures taken while using internet applications...........................................................6
Threats connected with the usage of internet .............................................................................6
Security measures adopted while using internet applications.....................................................6
3.Comparison between two unified communication providers.......................................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Internet is known as worldwide network that provides wide display of information and is
made with the use of interlinked networks. Today it is one of the most utilised platform due to its
limitless accessibility to information which are related with different subjects (Huda and et. al.,
2017). Internet is most important tool to gain knowledge on various subjects and is utilised for
several communication purposes. It has provided many advantages to common people by
assisting them in performing tasks easily and quickly. People across globe can communicate with
other easily through the usage of this channel. Social media available through this medium can
benefit businesses to promote their products or services. This report consists of negative &
positive usage of internet and its threat. Along with this, necessary measures that can be taken
while using internet applications are also discussed. Comparison is provided between two
different organisation that provides communication services is conducted to determine difference
in their characteristics, applications and purposes in businesses.
1.Positive & negative use of Internet
Application of internet widely depends on individual goals and expectations. With the
advancement in digital technology use of internet has been increased. Today it is innovating life
of every individual (Walker, Bowkett and Duchaine, 2018). Communication services like Email,
video conferencing, instant messaging, social networking, financial services, online shopping,
funds transfer, online entertainment, etc are provided by this medium. It was originated and
introduced by United States.
Usage of internet to organisation
Businesses today cannot imagine to operate its functions without the usage of internet.
Every work of organisation is wholly dependent on it. Evolution of internet has changed every
bit of day to day tasks of a firm. It assists an organisation to connect with people to promote its
goods and services. Application of this medium has provided several positive benefits to
business organisations and are mentioned as under-
Positive use of internet to organisation:-
Establishing image:- It is very crucial for organisation to build a strong image in the
environment to succeed in market and grow as a large concern. Internet helps businesses to build
a perfect image. By creating an effective website on internet it can develop perfect existence in

web. Nowadays, businessman uses social networking to make themselves recognised by target
customers and promote their brand models within targeted places.
Communication:- Effective communication with customers is the need of business to
grow its sales and profit revenues (Goldie, 2016). This interaction has been assured by internet
and its services. Businesses can make of services of internet such as Email and instant messages
to communicate and build strong relationships with consumers. Video conferencing applications
like Skype and Google Duo assists companies to manage and conduct long distance meetings.
Information:- Internet has rendered different and simple ways through which
organisations collects and keeps record of information. Research is required by company to
make strategic objectives, develop market plan and keep record of customer's requirements.
Businesses can carry out research through the application web searches and online databases
which are easily available on internet.
Negative use of internet to organisation:-
Internet has brought many profound changes in operations and in ways through with
businesses interact with customers. Along with different benefits it also has some drawbacks.
Some of them are discussed below-
Marketing complexity:-Internet has provided huge marketing landscape for businesses to
promote their offerings in marketplace (Varlejs, 2017). It has encouraged opportunities for
conducting affordable communication between various business groups. Henceforth, web is full
with messages, visual advertising, visual content, text, images and video files. It has become
difficult for organisations to be recognised as different from crowd. Hence, companies faces
various challenges in selecting appropriate marketing tool so as to get best return on investment.
Negative feedback:- Customers can easily post their dissatisfaction regarding any product
of a particular businesses through internet. This negative feedback provided by consumers de-
motivates other purchasers and also influence their buying behaviour. It impacts sales turnover
and profitability of organisations. Negative viewpoints shared on the platforms like Facebook,
Twitter and websites poses a threat to company and also weakens its established image in
market.
Price driven competition:- Nowadays many business activities are performed directly on
the internet. Henceforth, it had lead to establishment of several businesses on various sites as
they are easier to develop and avoids infrastructural costs. Due to this benefit, organisations offer

products and services to customers at lower prices. Therefore, it has become difficult for
companies to compete with the price charged by rivalries on web competitive industry.
Usage of internet to society
Internet is developing more powerful communities in the world. It is making lives of
people easy-going and simple (Blaschke, 2018). Society is highly influenced by social media,
web applications, online businesses and educational resources. Internet may affect society in
both positive and negative ways.
Positive use of internet to society-
Social relationships:- Internet has brought together people from different societies closer
to each other through applications like Facebook, Instagram, Whatsup, Pinterest, etc. It has
provided platforms for individuals to display and share their creativity, knowledge and skills.
Internet has provided assistance to people in interacting with each other by removing
geographical barriers in communication system.
Access to bank account:- Internet assists people in viewing information regarding
personal bank accounts as they can get the data regarding bank balance and transactions. It
helps society in transferring funds from one place to another without approaching banks.
Learning:- Today internet is considered as part of education. Students and other people
in society can enhance their knowledge and learn new subjects through online videos shared by
teachers on channels like YouTube. Educational videos can be easily accessed by any individual
across the world without spending any amount of money.
Negative use of internet to society:-
Internet politics:- Some politicians in several countries make use of internet to influence
communalism and gain their support during elections (Raju, 2017). This act of some individuals
discourages development of society by affecting their cultural sentiments and community at
large.
Social isolation:- People in society gets addicted to internet easily and become part of
online users community. This disrupts their daily lives and affect their relationships with close
ones (Mihalcea, 2017). Excessive usage of internet isolates individuals from society, family and
friends. It also leads to development of health related issues like depression, sleep deprivation
and stress.

Security threats- Some individuals creates disturbance on internet platforms by
executing activities like hacking and theft. Hackers are always ready to steal important and
personal information of people living in society as internet provide easy accessibility to
information. This disturbs the social and professional lives of various groups.
2.Security measures taken while using internet applications
Internet has simplified the lives of businesses and individuals but it also carries some
threats which affects the functioning of several applications. Following are threats that are
attached with several internet applications.
Threats connected with the usage of internet
Trojan:- It refers to computer programs that assures security of devices. Trojan removes
protection wall from computer in order to assist hackers to penetrate in device and steal vital
information (Huda and Teh, 2018). This disturbs normal activities of businesses and consumes
lot of time and money in resolving such issue.
Viruses:- It is most common form of threat present in internet. Viruses gets automatically
attached during downloading process of file and they proceed to grow continuously. They are
transferred through downloaded files, compact discs, DVDs, email attachments and USB sticks.
Alterations conducted through this threat resists smooth flow of activities of business
organisations and society.
Spyware:- It is a form of malware. Spyware is always connected with pop-ups that are
present in downloaded files (McKnight and et. al., 2016). If it is installed by mistake in device
then it starts monitoring vital information of user, accesses files, delete several contents, reformat
hard drive and also reads various applications available in device. Organisations and society gets
distracted through this threat and it also poses difficulty in achieving their objectives.
It is concluded that along with internet applications various threats enter in devices of
user. The above given threats damage, steal and disturb general life of several companies and
population.
Security measures adopted while using internet applications
Security of data is big deal for both organisations and society. There are various measures
that assists in securing crucial information of individual. They protect from internet borne
attacks, user created weaknesses, software shortcomings, inherent system and software features.

Security measures encourage protection of information from mischievous thefts. Following are
measures that can be applied by businessman and people living in society while utilising internet
applications-
Multi-factor authentication:- Password managers provide specific ways to users to
create passwords for each different site but is not enough to secure critical information. Variety
of security measures are available that can be utilised by organisations and society to prevent
theft of their personal information (Baker, 2017). They are offered by service providers and
includes one-time password in mobile apps, fingerprint identification like touch ID. Multi-factor
authentication is time consuming but it will assure security of data from hackers to organisations
and societies.
Encrypted E-mails:- While utilising email service individual can make use of email
provider to ensure security but they do not concentrate on this part of service. There are various
email services like Proton mail which ensures encryption and demands signing up before
displaying personal information. Such encryption can protect the data of businesses and societies
and also avoids their misuse by online hackers.
Firewalls:- They play the role of gatekeepers between computer, mobile and internet.
Firewall is major barriers that prevents cyber threats activities like viruses, malware and
spyware. Organisations can make use of hardware firewall to defend whole local network from
external access whereas people in societies can utilise Software firewall to protect any unethical
practice of external intruder. It should be ensured by user that this application is effectively
installed in device so as to take proper benefit in security.
Stronger passwords:- It is essential for user of internet application to set such username
and password that assists in avoiding online threats like hacking. Henceforth, while designing
passwords businesses and societies should critically think and understand the use of security
(Lecheler and Kruikemeier, 2016). It should not be simple in order to avoid easy predictions by
any person. Online data can be protected only by creating strong passwords and therefore, it
should include eight characters together with numbers, alphabets and symbols.
From the above mentioned subject matter it is clear that these measures defend theft of
vital data of business organisations and society. It avoids activities like hacking, virus attack and
malware on channels of internet.

3.Comparison between two unified communication providers
Communication service provider consists of various services that are provided in two
way communication system and broadcast. Organisations which supplies this service transmits
information electronically to user to access internet, its application and communication services.
Various public or private companies are engaged in this type of operation across the world.
BT group- It is topmost company operating in telecommunication in United Kingdom and was
founded in year 1846 as Electric telegraph firm. BT group is globally recognised firm and
provides its services in approximately 180 countries. It is dealing in services such as fixed-line,
information technology, mobile, broadband and television subscription.
Sky company- It is a British company which provides telecommunications services and is
situated in London, UK. Sky company deals in services like television, broadband internet, fixed
line, mobile and telephone. This firm was established in year 1994.
Following comparison table depicts the difference between features, application and suitability-
Basis BT group Sky company
Characteristics It was formerly known as
British Telecom.
BT group concentrates highly
on its broadband speed and on
wide geographical coverage.
The customer base of company
is around 18 million in total.
It is recognised as largest
television broadcaster in UK.
On the other hand, Sky
company highly focuses on
TV services.
Around 10 million people in
United Kingdom are
customers of this firm.
Applications BT group provides around 80
channels whereas 143 channels
are given in max package
scheme.
Its broadband offering alludes
range of around four
It provides more channels as
compared with BT group.
Around 350 entertainment
channels, comedy, music and
sky exclusives are included in
TV packages of company.
On the other hand Sky offers
broadband with average speed

broadband speed. Basic
package of broadband covers
in average 10Mbps speed,
superfast fibre essential
average speed is 36 Mbps, 50
Mbps average speed is
provided by superfast fibre1
and last one is superfast fibre 2
which offers average speed of
67 Mbps.
BT group's phone packages
includes basic landlines
package that provides free
unlimited calling across UK. It
also alludes 1000 free minutes
along with this package.
of 11 Mbps, 36 Mbps by fibre
and 63 Mbps is offered by
fibre max.
Sky's phone package consists
of line rental free calls around
all landlines, mobile in
evening and weekends around
country.
BT group is best provider of broadband service as compared with Sky as it provides best
average speeds for fibre in communication. After comparing costs charged by both companies it
is concluded that BT group charges less on its services for first 3 months and Sky firm packages
are more expensive though it provides several range of channels. In addition to this, as compared
with Sky, BT group identifies market trend and demands as well as acquire innovative or
advanced technology which lead them to gain best position within market. Further, packages
provided by BT are more effective for businesses as they provide different kind of
telecommunication services at affordable prices as compare to sky group. BT company offer a
facility of free unlimited calls across United Kingdom which is essential for businesses as this
help them to communicate with their customers and support in carry out marketing of their
products. Overall, it can be concluded that BT group is more suitable for businesses as this
provide variety of services.

CONCLUSION
From the above study it can be concluded internet has various advantages as well as
disadvantages. It can be effectively utilised by avoiding problems attached with internet and
making the best possible use of benefits. This medium of communication should be used in
proper concentration so as to minimise its dependency in daily life. It carry several threats like
viruses, data hacking, theft scams and intrusion of privacy. Guard, precaution and safeguard can
assists in confronting threats connected with internet. Businessman or society can make of this
medium to enhance communication in daily operations and improve knowledge level.

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