Internet Privacy - Risks To Internet Privacy

Risks To Internet Privacy

In today’s technological world, millions of individuals are subject to privacy threats. Companies are hired not only to watch what individuals visit online, but to infiltrate the information and send advertising based on your browsing history. People set up accounts for Facebook as well as entering bank and credit card information to various websites.

Those concerned about Internet privacy often cite a number of privacy risks — events that can compromise privacy — which may be encountered through Internet use. These methods of compromise can range from the gathering of statistics on users, to more malicious acts such as the spreading of spyware and various forms of bugs (software errors) exploitation.

Privacy measures are provided on several social networking sites to try to provide their users with protection for their personal information. On Facebook for example privacy settings are available for all registered users. The settings available on Facebook include the ability to block certain individuals from seeing your profile, the ability to choose your "friends," and the ability to limit who has access to your pictures and videos. Privacy settings are also available on other social networking sites such as Google Plus and Twitter. It is the user's prerogative to apply such settings when providing personal information on the internet.

In late 2007 Facebook launched the Beacon program where user rental records were released on the public for friends to see. Many people were enraged by this breach in privacy, and the Lane v. Facebook, Inc. case ensued.

Children and adolescents are very susceptible to misusing the Internet and ultimately risking their privacy. There is a growing concern among parents whose children are now starting to use Facebook and other social media sites on a daily basis. Website information collection practices is another growing concern as young individuals are more vulnerable and unaware of the fact that all of their information and browsing can and may be tracked while visiting a particular site. Individuals who use the Internet have to realize that they must play a role in protecting their own privacy. They must be informed about all of the risks involved while surfing the Internet and browsing. For example, if on Twitter, threats include shortened links that lead you to potentially harmful places. When you are in your e-mail inbox threats include email scams and attachments that get you to install malware and give up personal info. If on Torrent sites the threat includes malware hiding in video, music, and software downloads, and even while using your smartphone threats include geolocation, meaning that your phone can detect where you are and post it online for all to see. Certain measures that consumers are called to act upon include: updating virus protection, mind security settings, download patches, install firewalls, screen e-mail, shut down spyware, control cookies, deploy encryption, fend off browser hijackers, and block all pop-ups.

The main concern that most people have with the options listed above are that they have no idea how to go about doing any of these things to ensure full protection. How can the average consumer who knows nothing about all of the security settings on their computer be expected to know how to run their own network security? This is a tough issue that most people hire professionals to take care of but one that most people should learn to research more about and take the time to increase their understanding of.

In 1998, the Federal Trade Commission took into account the lack of privacy of children on the Internet, which resulted in the creation of the Children Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). COPPA limits the options gather information from children and created warning labels if potential harmful information or content was presented. In 2000, CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act) was developed to implement safe Internet policies such rules, and filter software. Aside from the creation of legislation, the awareness campaigns, parental and adult supervision strategies and Internet filters are alternatives in creating a safer Internet environment for children across the world.