Technology is one of the most common and well-known words in our language, but its precise meaning is often misunderstood. It is commonly viewed as an amalgam of all the gadgets that have made modern life different from the past, or simply as a set of tools and machines. However, it is much broader than this: it encompasses all entities, whether tangible or virtual, that are designed to solve real-world problems. This includes both physical objects, such as utensils and machines, as well as non-physical ones, such as computer software and business methods.
In its broader sense, technology has allowed mankind to achieve things that would have been impossible in the past. It has enabled deaf people to hear and dumb people to speak; it allows humans to travel far into the outer space. However, technology can also be used for bad purposes. It can be used to hack computers, steal data and expose private information. It is for this reason that some companies and individuals are taking steps to protect themselves from cyber attacks, although this is not always enough to keep up with the growing number of threats.
Technology has also had a major impact on education. Students are now more interested in learning lessons because of technology and it is helping them to perform better academically. However, some jobs are being replaced by technology and this is causing anxiety among many workers. It may be only a matter of time before whole departments are entirely automated.