School Internet Blocks Cause Bigger Problems?

I just found out about a site based in Russia at CommunicationTube.com. The site offers a free service that allows you to use IM and other things all in one place in a web browser. This means that you can use a browser at school or the office to use IM even if the computer network you are using normally blocks them. While searching for more information on the site I found this page where other options for getting around blocks are discussed.

This kind of thing has been going on for some time now as kids pursue that which is forbidden. But what deeply disturbed me was the fact that here is a Russian site that does not identify itself in any way, that is getting people to provide them with their Gtalk and other account information which could then be used to access other accounts. Worse, any communications that goes through the Russian servers could be monitored and recorded. This could allow people to steal passwords, personal files, and anything else that is transmitted during an IM or chat session between friends. While there may be no risk from this site, the lack of advertising or fees, begs the question of why they are offering this service and how is it supported...???

So by blocking access to certain sites, we may be pushing people to practice unsafe computing.

Yeah, it sounds a lot like the "Wait until you are married" and the drug prohibition that has resulted in so many problems in Mexico and the US.

I heard on the radio yesterday that 10 million people have their identity stolen every year. I'm starting to think that number is vastly under-reported. The US is under attack and will suffer from the millions and millions of small cuts unless we beef up our education of the public on these types of issues...