The Internet is still relatively new, and with that the problems that it presents are also. The law is still working to catch up with the speed of technology. The three branches of our government have yet to agree on the Internet’s pitfalls and potential. Additionally, due to cross-cultural function of the Internet, laws regarding the Internet and privacy would be hard to uphold.
It is seemingly innocuous to sit behind one’s computer faceless, however computer tracking begins when one purchases internet service. An IP is assigned to your specific computer. A unique number separated by dots in most cases works to protect your privacy, every policy is different for different Internet Service Providers.
An IP address will also keep track of what web sites one visits. Without your knowledge your browser can release your default e-mail address, phone number, and other information in the electronic address book if the browser also handles your e-mail. Not only is a browser tracking what web sites you visit, but any search you make via a search engine is tracked and recorded. Furthermore, if you use the same search engine site as you do for your email, they can connect the two and gather even more information. In fact, any web site host owner can utilize Google’s free tool that tracks where someone enters their site, how long they stay, and where they leave.
IM is another tool that most of us use is the Instant Messenger and a lot of the newer versions are now saving and storing conversations. So while you may select not to save these conversations, your conversing partner may differ.
Blogs are the worst offenders. Personal information is made public for the world to see in most cases. Making your personal trials and tribulations available for the public to view, more so your employer to see. Reports say that blogging has accounted for firings and a number or major companies.
The convince of the internet has made it easy for things such as banking. But how safe is the information? While most all banks make their systems secure, you must be careful of emails received asking to update your account information. Emails can come from a variety of courses most of which are NOT from your bank. Unsuspecting users may enter information that allows fraud users access to information and your finances.
I personally have received a few of these emails from people claiming to be from sites such as eBay asking for me to update my account information. Upon clicking the web address given, I noticed that the address in the web browser was one that was unrelated to eBay. Additionally the little lock symbol that appears in the upper right corner of Safari was not there as it should be with a secure site. I immediately closed the browser and reported it to the eBay staff.
So the big question, in the nuances of the Internet, what is privacy? It is the ability to perform daily activities on the Internet without my personal information being sent or collected to any organization or company without my consent. But is signing up for and utilizing the Internet consent by use?
Sources uses:
Camm-Jones, Ben. WebUser. Retrieved 27th September 2007. Published 14th August 2007. http://www.webuser.co.uk/news/136595.html
Electronic Pricacy Information Clearing House. Retrieved 27th September 2007. http://www.epic.org/
Privacy Rights Clearing House. Retrieved 27th September 2007. http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs18-cyb.htm
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2 comments:
Good post. You raise some great points about voluntary and involuntary information disclosure on the internet.
That is a good post. I enjoyed reading about your viewpoint on 'publicly displayed information'. :)
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