To put it simply, Web 2.0 is the system in which online users become participants rather than mere viewers. As Web 2.0 technologies form the basis for the next generation of web-based applications, they allow web applications to be developed that are more functionally rich and responsive than the typically static pages of traditional web technologies. They also enable content to be generated and shared in real time, with end-users commonly able to add content to applications themselves.

Web 2.0 allows users to do more than just retrieve information. Web 2.0 utilizes the Internet and web design to increase information and collaboration among users. They can build on the interactive facilities of "Web 1.0" allowing users to run software applications entirely through a browser. Users can own the data on a Web 2.0 site and exercise control over that data. If Netscape was the standard bearer for Web 1.0, Google is most certainly the standard bearer for Web 2.0. Google's fellows are other Internet applications like eBay, Amazon, Napster, DoubleClick and Akamai.

Business advantages of Web 2.0

Companies are using Web 2.0 technologies to communicate with customers, business partners and potential employees, allowing them to achieve the goal of true real-time collaboration among these parties. This can increase productivity and provides companies with a way to not just reach out to potential customers and promote their products, but also create partnerships, research sales leads and potential candidates for employment. In short, the business benefits of Web 2.0 are evolving to cut across departments. In particular, the creation of online communities and blogs or wikis for communication and information sharing is proving particularly interesting to companies.

Risks involved with Web 2.0

However, as web services are gaining popularity rapidly, they are also becoming a good target for hackers. Web services are inherently unsecured, and attackers are leveraging them to target users. The web has always been the main conduit for security attacks. Now the functionality of dynamic Web 2.0 applications is providing new ways to compromise machines. Web services are now being used in many critical applications, such as Internet Banking and online shopping, so security is a very important aspect of web services.