The internet
Yes that wonderful magical invention that has us connected to the entire world. With one click you automatically receive millions of answers within seconds. Who would have thought that it would grow into what it is now, information on anything and everything and even anyone....
Anyone, you and me both we can be found on the internet with a little searching you might be able to find more information than you'd like to find about yourself online.
Take Facebook for example a social website where people post their pictures, information, relationship status, location, likes dislikes etc to share with friends and pretty much the rest of the world. Employers and companies are opening Facebook pages also as it is a good way to get a company out there and market their companies. But what if you get tired of Facebook or find yourself wanting to get rid of it..Goodluck. Feel free to deactivate your Facebook while you think it over but there is no delete button. So be careful what you post on Facebook because it'll be around for a while your information is stored on their site.
But internet users beware it is not only the information your putting out there on purposely on your social media pages but it's also the everyday information that is being captured. This is captured through a thing called cookies
"A cookie is a piece of text that a Web server can store on a user'shard disk. Cookies allow a Web site to store information on a user's machine and later retrieve it. The pieces of information are stored as name-value pairs."
Most websites you visit and put information into will store an "ID" for you such as Amazon, Ebay, and any search engine. These cookies help websites recognize you and keep track of what you've been searching for and things your interested in so website can further recommend things you might like to purchase or might direct any search query you type to things similar to previous searchers.
So for those people out there who fear their privacy on the Internet EFF has provided their "12 ways to protect your online privacy" such that include:
- don't be so quick to give up your personal information on websites that ask for it
- turn on a cookie notice, your browser will alert you when a website tries to write a cookie.
- beware of reward or prize sites
- don't reply to spammers EVER
So although privacy may seem a far reach online, it is possible to be more careful than most to insure your web time is safer.
Further reading :
http://www.sensibleemarketing.com/2012/10/is-online-privacy-ultimate-oxymoron.html
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ashoka/2012/10/05/online-privacy-made-easier/
https://www.eff.org/wp/effs-top-12-ways-protect-your-online-privacy
Good blog Claudia! I am agree with you when you say to be careful about the informations the people put on Facebook because they will always be there and you never know who will use this information for or against you. Even if you try to delete your account, Facebook can use your personal informations when he wants because your personal informations are stocked in a file. The proof is when you delete your account and finally you want to have it again, your personal informations are still there. It is important to choose which informations you want to show at the entire world or to keep private for you...
ReplyDeleteExcellent entry on online privacy! I completely agree on your assessment of the environment out there regarding stalking and potential invasion of privacy. I feel it is extremely important for everyone to be aware of how easy it really is to invade someones personal privacy via the internet.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Claudia. Facebook went from being a convenient tool to keep in touch with others to a giant information monster... like a public permanent record. I'm glad I got rid of mine when I did, but now because I don't have it, there are some online services that I can't use because I no longer have an account so it's become a double edged sword. But I'm sticking to my guns and doing without. I don't think many people in our generation really think about the consequences of what they post online when it comes to all of this and you bring up a great point about employers looking us up while they make a decision on whether to hire us or not. That too was another reason why I got rid of mine. I don't have anything to hide, but I don't want pictures or statuses being taken out of context.
ReplyDeleteClaudia, great blog. I could not agree more with your comments. Whatever you put online it stays there forever, just like Facebook. If you research something online, if you left your information on a survey, people can track you down. There is not really that much privacy online, since you leave all your online tracks online.
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