Retrieved from:
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/11/technology/11GEE2.html
Over the years, as the Internet has become increasingly popular, internet privacy has become more and more of an issue. Technology is a two edged-sword. While it can allow you to instantly retrieve information from around the world, it can also allow criminals to track your every move online: from the website you browse to the files you download.
Why is so much of the recent attention to privacy issues focused on Internet privacy when consumers have had privacy concerns long before they started doing business online? Certainly, the current hype surrounding the Internet in general has contributed to the buzz. These days, anything that happens online seems much more exciting than things going on in the "real" world. But in the case of online privacy, I think there is some substance behind the hype.
The Internet and computerized databases make automated collection and processing of information particularly easy and convenient. In fact, for the typical Website operator, it's easier to collect information about Web site visitors than to figure out how to configure a Web server not to collect that information.
As a result, there are now zillions of databases silently collecting mostly innocuous "click-stream" data from everyone who surfs on by. But when these databases are merged, and especially when click-stream data is combined with personally identifiable data that users type in when filling out online forms, Web surfers may be profiled in ways that raise serious privacy concerns. Imagine, for example, if employers started inferring health information about their employees (or prospective employees) based on information about visitors to medical-related or health-related Websites.
These are few terms that you’re might recognized but you don’t know what their tribulations are.
Cookies
The word cookies may bring back memories of Grandma's chocolate-chip treats, but on the internet it's quite different. Internet cookies are little tools that websites can use to track your surfing patterns and recognize you when you come back to visit. While this can be helpful which sites such as Amazon.com provide book recommendations and suggestions, it can also be used for evil. When used wrongly, cookies can be used to track and trace personal information. Identity thieves use this to hijack your good reputation and run up huge bills on your account.
Spyware
Spyware are little pieces of software that can be picked up by surfing any website or downloading files. These programs can track a huge variety of personally identifiable information, from login information to financial sites to credit card and banking details. Hackers can then use this information to steal money from you or even sell it to others for that purpose.
In the past, only dubious-looking websites would give you spyware, but now many people are creating legitimate-looking tools that appear to be harmless. However, once downloaded, they infiltrate your system and expose you to identity theft.
While installing virus-protection and anti-spyware software is critically important, it will not protect you from all dangers. The only way you can be 100% sure no one is tracking you is to surf the web anonymously through internet proxy services. Proxies stand as a middleman between you and the web, retrieving the pages you request and passing them along to you. This way, no evildoers can pinpoint your geographic location or trace you down in any way.
Therefore, we should be more courteous with anything we are living,using,spending,playing and also being ;p
By,
Munirah Nasri
2009417804
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/11/technology/11GEE2.html
Over the years, as the Internet has become increasingly popular, internet privacy has become more and more of an issue. Technology is a two edged-sword. While it can allow you to instantly retrieve information from around the world, it can also allow criminals to track your every move online: from the website you browse to the files you download.
Why is so much of the recent attention to privacy issues focused on Internet privacy when consumers have had privacy concerns long before they started doing business online? Certainly, the current hype surrounding the Internet in general has contributed to the buzz. These days, anything that happens online seems much more exciting than things going on in the "real" world. But in the case of online privacy, I think there is some substance behind the hype.
The Internet and computerized databases make automated collection and processing of information particularly easy and convenient. In fact, for the typical Website operator, it's easier to collect information about Web site visitors than to figure out how to configure a Web server not to collect that information.
As a result, there are now zillions of databases silently collecting mostly innocuous "click-stream" data from everyone who surfs on by. But when these databases are merged, and especially when click-stream data is combined with personally identifiable data that users type in when filling out online forms, Web surfers may be profiled in ways that raise serious privacy concerns. Imagine, for example, if employers started inferring health information about their employees (or prospective employees) based on information about visitors to medical-related or health-related Websites.
These are few terms that you’re might recognized but you don’t know what their tribulations are.
Cookies
The word cookies may bring back memories of Grandma's chocolate-chip treats, but on the internet it's quite different. Internet cookies are little tools that websites can use to track your surfing patterns and recognize you when you come back to visit. While this can be helpful which sites such as Amazon.com provide book recommendations and suggestions, it can also be used for evil. When used wrongly, cookies can be used to track and trace personal information. Identity thieves use this to hijack your good reputation and run up huge bills on your account.
Spyware
Spyware are little pieces of software that can be picked up by surfing any website or downloading files. These programs can track a huge variety of personally identifiable information, from login information to financial sites to credit card and banking details. Hackers can then use this information to steal money from you or even sell it to others for that purpose.
In the past, only dubious-looking websites would give you spyware, but now many people are creating legitimate-looking tools that appear to be harmless. However, once downloaded, they infiltrate your system and expose you to identity theft.
While installing virus-protection and anti-spyware software is critically important, it will not protect you from all dangers. The only way you can be 100% sure no one is tracking you is to surf the web anonymously through internet proxy services. Proxies stand as a middleman between you and the web, retrieving the pages you request and passing them along to you. This way, no evildoers can pinpoint your geographic location or trace you down in any way.
Therefore, we should be more courteous with anything we are living,using,spending,playing and also being ;p
By,
Munirah Nasri
2009417804
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