Net Privacy Essay -- social issues

Net PrivacyThe net income has brought mixed blessings to the heap who implement it. It is a fantastic information source but the relative want of privacy has brought forth a major problem. Anyone with even little hacking knowledge can track every move that you make while using network services and/or go through private or confidential information. It is now possible for some profit sites can actually find information much(prenominal) as email addresses or the name of the person/people viewing the site without authorisation. This problem can affect everyone who uses any internet services and at last can lead to very confidential information(such as credit card numbers) getting into the hands of criminals. Internet services and facilities are now used and provided by many companies and individuals worldwide. Each web site that is visited could have the capability of finding out your name and/or e-mail address and sending junk e-mail or cataloguing this information and then sel ling it to other companies. The ISP that you connect to the internet also has a record of every bit of information you upload or download, and moldiness keep records for official purposes. Any sites that ask for your credit card number for pay by use or restricted services could, in fact, sell or use such information for illegal purposes such as fraud. The actual hardware requirements for using the internet are minimal, only an internet service provider(a company that allows a connection to the internet), modem(to send and receive data transmissions through a phone line), phone line(to dial up the I.S.P,) and a somewhat fast computer(to run the hardware and software) are undeniable to get onto the internet. This allows almost anyone with a computer to access the internet. Software is needed to browse or view the internet is a browser(such as Netscape Navigator, MS Internet Explorer) and for e-mail services, programs such as Eudora, Netscape Navigator or MS Internet Explorer are ne eded to send or receive e-mail. Nearly everyone will at some stage in their lives use the Internet. Very minimal skills are needed to use the Internet, and it allows people to access an immense amount of information at the touch of a button. All a person with a little hacking knowledge call for to do to get such information is to use a Trojan horse type program and he or she can follow you nearly and view the information ... ...er band of people would be willing to visit sites and enter confidential information without any fear of misuse. It must be the afterlife of the Internet. Computer Privacy is a major issue and it does effect anyone who uses any internet service. Something must be done to stop the crimes committed against the privacy of people and people should be allowed to control their personal or confidential information, whether they want it freely available or not. Only through consumer pressure will the internet become more secure as has happened in America. Already people can join up to ISPs with totally secure services with total anonymity. This must be the future of the internet. BIBLIOGRAPHY World Wide Web Electronic Privacy Information Center Authors, Electronic Privacy Information Center, Online http//www.epic.org/, 22/4/97 unknown. Who Owns Personal Information? Junk Mail and Privacy Online http//www.epic.org/privacy/junk_mail/ ,24/4/97 unknown. THE FACTS ABOUT COMPUTER PRIVACY, Online http//www.203.232.1.23/org/itop/priv.html MAILING LIST unknown. Computer Privacy Digest, e-mail service mail list newsletter, unknown. ,20/3/97