MANILA, Philippines -- The online world will forever be a reflection of what happens in our real-world world.

In the offline world, there are good people. Good people can also be found online. But there are evil people, too, that populate the Internet, doing their nefarious things online – which is very much like what we find in the world we live in.

It is no wonder then that the war against terror should have its online counterpart. Cyber-attacks of the past few weeks have jarred us out of our complacency, it is hoped for.

And these recent hacking incidents have been unnerving for their intensity, frequency, and the eminence of their targets, including Sony, a large bank or two, and a U.S. defense contractor.

This corner hopes that these attacks would at least keep network owners and their IT departments on their toes, and would encourage IT companies and service providers to develop products and services that can ensure everybody’s safety and security online.

Windows 8 Transformer?

Rumors are aplenty about computer vendor Asus’ plan to release the Eee Pad Transformer 2, a tablet computer that will run Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system. Some industry observers are finding it intriguing that Asus would market a Microsoft-friendly tablet computer when the Android-enabled original is fast becoming the second-most popular tablet after Apple’s iPad.

And as long as we are paying attention to rumors, we might as well add that there are also some rumors saying the Transformer 2 will have a keyboard dock, which would make it easier and more comfortable to use for prolonged periods.

I guess that’s enough rumors for the day.

Free WiFi

Seoul in South Korea plans to offer free WiFi services in the city’s outdoor spaces. The $44 million project seeks to give residents (and take note, visitors) Internet access on virtually every street corner.

The project will cover parks, streets, and other public places by 2015, according to a statement issued by the city government. The project, which will have three local wireless operators as investors, will also equip all buses, subway trains, and taxis to make them into WiFi hotspots.

South Koreans already enjoy some of, if not the, fastest Internet connections worldwide. This project means they will also have access to wireless Internet virtually everywhere their capital city.

Note to local politicians: See what absence of political greed and corruption can do?

That’s all for the meantime, folks. Join me again next time as we keep on watching IT.