Online privacy through the looking glass: Part 2

On the last article, we discussed what online privacy is. Now we will examine what Internet activities reveal your personal information and how others get information about your online activities.

So what does the Internet reveal about you?

Short Answer: a lot of things. Some we may not even be aware of. In the early days, we were more worried about information that had been taken from us without our knowledge — the spyware, adware, hacking. Now the biggest concern, I think, is information we share willingly – although unwittingly – with others that allows them to know a lot more about us than they have any business knowing.

We’ve got people who are talking about where they’re going on vacation and when they’re going to be away and it makes it a lot easier for any burglar who has tweeting skills to understand when the house is going to be empty (Read Facebook, Twitter make life easy for burglars). People share information about themselves that they think people are interested in without realizing that, unfortunately, lots of people are interested in it — maybe your boss, your insurance carrier, your bank, maybe someone’s looking for your job, maybe your ex. As we provide information, we make ourselves vulnerable (Read 5 Ways To Share Too Much Information Online)

Below are other Internet activities that reveal your personal information. They are not wrtitten to scare you or turn you off the web, but it aims to make you aware and therefore be able to make informed decisions.

1. Signing up for Internet service

Each computer connected to the Internet, including yours, has a unique address, known as an IP address (Internet Protocol address). It takes the form of four sets of numbers separated by dots, for example: 123.45.67.890. It’s that number that actually allows you to send and receive information over the Internet.

Your IP address, by itself, doesn’t provide personally identifiable information. However, because your ISP (Internet Service Provider) knows your address, it is a possible weak link when it comes to protecting your privacy.

Most ISPs work to protect your privacy, but each has its own privacy policy. It’s up to you to read the privacy policy and understand it.

2. E-mail and list-serves

When you correspond through e-mail, you are no doubt aware that you are giving information to the recipient. You might also be giving information to any number of people, including your employer, the government, your e-mail provider, and anybody that the recipient passes your message to. 

3. Browsing the Internet

Although it may not seem like you are giving very much information, when you browse the Internet, you are relaying personal information to Web sites.  Your browser likely provides your IP address and information about which sites you have visited to website operators.

Also, most of us navigate the Internet by using search engines. Search engines have and use the ability to track each one of your searches. They can record your IP address, the search terms you used, the time of your search, and other information.

4. E-mail discussion lists and list-serves.

When participating in online discussion groups, which are sometimes called "list-serves," remember that either the sender or the recipient can consent to the inspection or disclosure of the e-mail.  Additionally, if you are concerned about junk e-mail, forwarded messages, or other unsolicited mail, you should note that you are giving your e-mail address to numerous people.

5. Interactive use: Instant messages and social networks

IM conversations have a feel of casualness about them, which can lead some to let down their guard.  Although seemingly informal, IM conversations can be archived, stored, and recorded on your computer as easily as e-mails. On the other hand, social networking sites pose the same problem as blogs, message boards, and personal Web sites.  You never know who will read your profile or look at your pictures.  Employers, friends, dates, and parents can all access your information with little difficulty.

6. Personal Web sites and blogs

Many individuals obtain their own website address or URL (Uniform Resource Locator), called domain names. Domain registrations are public information unless you pay an additional fee to make your domain name private. In addition to information you may be providing through signing up for the blog, the contents of your blog are published for everyone, including employers, to see. There have been numerous reports of employers firing employees for blogging. The content does not even necessarily have to be about the employer. Attempts at anonymity have not protected the employee.

Newspapers have reported blogging-related firings at three dozen companies, including Starbucks, Delta Air Lines, Wells Fargo, Friendster, and Kmart.

7. Managing your financial accounts and online bill payments

Being able to check your balances, transfer money between accounts, and track your checks online is a great convenience. But online banking requires you to transmit a lot of sensitive information over the Internet. While it makes sense for the bank to have that information, you don’t want anyone else to get it.

When managing your financial accounts online, be careful that you are giving your information to the proper institution.  Many fraudulent Web sites have been set up to look like the real thing.  Beware of “phishing” e-mails, which typically ask you to update your account information, but are really looking to steal your personal information. Never respond to unsolicited requests for passwords or account numbers, no matter how realistic they look..

For Part 3, we will be discussing ways on how to protect yourself in a public Internet environment.

-Grace is a blogger for The Daily Vine. Check out her bio to see where her view comes from.