Tokelau is three tropical coral atolls with strong links to New Zealand. It is roughly near Fiji and Samoa.
They don’t have a lot of anything to come and go on, so have sold their .tk country domain to a Dutch entrepreneur. A BBC news item reports:
Now there are more than 1.6 million Dot TK domain names registered and it is adding around 10,000 each day. Registering a .TK domain is free although users must agree to receive targeted banner and text advertising.
…The Dot TK company gives an undisclosed amount to Tokelau from every .tk sales that has allowed the tiny nation to add 10% to its economy.
This has had some very tangible effects for their economy and way of life:
Tokelau used to have just 12 computers but now there are 200, in internet cafes, classrooms and hospitals.
The broadband connection — which is received via satellite as the ocean is too deep to lay under-water cable — is not the best at just 384 kilobits per second but it has opened up a whole new world for the islanders.
…The hospitals are able to receive much-needed medical expertise from overseas doctors via e-mail and still photographs. There are plans to add video to this service.
…There is also a project to connect islanders to the University of South Pacific which might mean inhabitants would not have to go overseas to study. With an estimated 8,000 islanders now living in New Zealand, Australia and the US, the issue of emigration is a serious one.
[Via : BBC NEWS | Technology | Net gains for tiny Pacific nation.]
But while that rosy picture sounds very appealing, Rachel McAlpine, who recently visited Tokelau, offers up some rather alarming information:
In reality, Tokelau is the web’s most dangerous country, according to a recent report by security firm McAfee.
Red (danger!) and yellow sites (beware!) were identified according to four factors:
- Web sites (excessive pop-ups, other fraudulent practices, and browser exploits such as installing viruses or spyware on a visitor’s computer)
- Downloads (viruses, adware, spyware)
- Sign-up forms (spamminess)
- Feedback and analysis.
Tokelau scored top ranking for a whole range of nasties. Don’t go there!
They didn’t mention that in the BBC report.
KnowIT by RSS
Add your Comment