Protect Your Privacy!
- Category: Internet/Computers/Software
- Posted On: 3/7/2006
- Views: 3,457
Anything you type can and may be saved. If you're walking down the street and you get the feeling that someone is shadowing your steps, don't you get nervous? What could they possibly want from you? Why?! Well, the same goes for internet browsing...
Tools are contantly evolving to expose difficult or "hidden" tasks. Computers are only 1 example. A method for gaining entry to a secure location and / or information. Devices for enabling malicious intent. There's always a spike in illegal or mischievous activity when something comes along that makes it easier for the general public to perform an activity deemed unacceptable by society.
Compromising Your Privacy
I have a concern about an internet philosophy for communicating information that is receiving more and more attention, AJAX. AJAX enables a website to communicate with the web server without your express interaction. This is actually a good thing in most cases. Used for good, it makes your experience with websites more responsive. Used for bad, it can collect information you provide without intended submission. In other words, if you are typing in your e-mail and you go to fill-in the next form field, the AJAX method allows the website to communicate your e-mail address back to the server without requiring you to push a button! This was possible before the recent AJAX craze, but was shrouded in more technical wizardry. Now, it's simple! Anyone can do it...
Now what?
I don't wish to fan a fire of privacy concerns, but let's face it: There are those who will steal your freedoms if you do not fight for them. The founders of the Constitution of America will be the first to point this out to you. So what are you doing about your privacy on the internet? What are you doing to protect your information?
- Only share as much information as you are willing to lose
- Only share private information with people you trust to keep it private
- Occassionally verify that your information is being kept private
The points above are true for life, not just the internet. They cover talking with a person face-to-face, send mail, talking on the phone, browsing the internet, sending e-mail, sending text messages on your mobile phone, etc. Communicating information. You need to understand when the information you are communicating is as secure as you expect it to be. For example, if you are submitting your credit card information, have you verified that you 1) know the recipient, 2) know that the communication will be secure both while communicating the information as well as when the information is stored, 3) etc.
Yes, we must trust everyone on a certain level. Just make certain that the trust you have in people doesn't go unquestioned. Don't expect that a website that purports to be secure simply is. Don't expect that a person calling you on the phone is automatically who they say they are. Never share information that shouldn't be shared. Question the use of super-sensitive information (Why do you need my Social Security Number? I cannot share my ATM PIN number. Can you use something else?) The list goes on and on.
Privacy on the Internet
Keeping your information private on the internet is difficult, especially if you are not technically adept by nature. When do you trust a website or not? When can you feel comfortable?
I cannot answer those questions, you must. But, I can help. Check the website's privacy policy. Verify that the website represents the company / organization / person in question. Verify how the website communicates your information (HTTPS stands for secure, encrypted communication and should be expected when communicating confidential information between parties). How do they store your information? Do they share your information with others? Who? How do they limit internal employee access to your information? Again, the list goes on... Questions are what's important. If everyone keeps asking the right questions, things can only improve.
- Category: Internet/Computers/Software
- Posted On: 3/7/2006
- Views: 3,457