Social networking - Essay Example

The particular study would be evaluated by referring to a variety of its characteristics, such as structure and content/ evidence. Also, the contribution of the study, for understanding the potential implications of social networking sites could be explored. Hak has divided the study into thematic sections, so that all aspects of the issues under discussion are covered. In this context, Introduction is used for explaining to the reader the paper’s key points and objectives. Then, two sections have been used for presenting the findings of the literature in regard to the study’s subject: the first section, entitled as ‘Social Media Networking’ (Hak 2012, p.12) shows the structure and role of social networking sites, as these issues have been analyzed in the literature.

The second section, entitled as ‘Security Risks and Trust Zones’(Hak 2012, p.14) explains the security issues involved in the use of social networking sites and describes the structure of Security Trust Zones, as tools for protecting the privacy of these sites’ users. At the next level, Hak refers to the ‘Analytic Hierarchy Process’ (Hak 2012, p.15), a tool developed by ‘Saaty in 1970s’ (Hak 2012, p.15). The potential use of this tool for assessing the security risks of social networking sites is analytically explained (Hak 2012, p.15-16). .

Literature is used for showing the various aspects of study’s subject. It should be noted that the literature chosen is recent; mostly studies of 2010 and 2011 have been used, reflecting the actual status of social networking sites as tools for communication. Moreover, academic journals have been preferred, instead of books, aiming to use, as possible, empirical evidence for supporting the assumptions made. Also, a methodology is suggested for facing a key problem in regard to social networking sites: the assessment of security risks related to these sites.

In addition, graphs and tables are used, where appropriate, for making the explanations given clearer. In other words, Hak has covered successfully both the theoretical and practical aspects of the issues under discussion. At this point the following issue should be discussed: which is the value of the study of Hak in regard to the understanding of risks related to social networking sites? At a first level, the study of Hak shows that social networking sites can be related to risks, especially security risks.

These risks are analytically explained using appropriate literature, so that no doubts can exist in regard to the security implications of social networking sites. Then, the structure of social media networking is explained, so that the users of social networking sites are aware of the potential security gaps involved. The use of graphs, as possible, increases the value of the study of Hak in presenting the security risks of social media networking. Also, the study of Hak provides a methodology for assessing the security risks related to social networking sites.

This methodology is based on a model that was first introduced in 1970s but which was never used, up today, for assessing the