Internet privacy refers to protecting confidential information, sensitive communications, and personal choices. Using public computers, strong passwords, and adjusting browser settings can reduce privacy risks. Social media and forums have privacy settings, but be cautious of eternal posts and accidental invasions of privacy.
Because people use computers for a variety of purposes, confidential information, sensitive communications, and personal choices can be recorded in a variety of ways. Internet privacy is a broad term that refers to the various concerns, technologies, and strategies for protecting information, communications, and choices that should be private.
In general, using the Internet often means giving up some measure of privacy. For people who wish to remain completely anonymous, the best approach is to use a public computer, such as those available in public libraries. Other steps to take when anonymity is the goal include clearing your cache and browsing history before leaving your computer – this is done in different ways depending on the browser you use – and refraining from entering personal information or creating usernames or passwords.
Whether you choose to shop online, use social networking sites, play online games, or participate in forums, your privacy on the Internet can become an issue in a variety of ways. If your passwords are exposed, your identity can be misused or even stolen. If your words, your photographs or the products you have created are published without your permission, your reputation and income can be damaged. If your contact information gets passed around, you could be subject to spam. If your browsing history goes public, people will know what you’re watching online. Fortunately, taking some precautions can reduce the privacy risks you face.
Strong passwords that are kept secret are one way to safeguard your privacy on the Internet. The best passwords have certain characteristics: they don’t contain personal information, don’t use real words, mix uppercase and lowercase characters with numbers, and are at least eight characters long. It’s important to note, however, that the strongest password isn’t useful if someone else can access it. This can happen if you write it down, let someone else use your computer, or if you use a computer in a public place, where your data could be intercepted with keystroke logging devices or reused if you fail to clear the cache.
Your browser’s privacy settings, which control things like remembering your browsing and download history and accepting cookies, can be changed to suit your preferences. The options differ with different browsers. Similarly, social networking sites have settings that allow you to control the level of privacy of the various posts you may post. Note that the default settings may be biased towards public exposure of information rather than Internet privacy. Facebook has been criticized on this point.
For sites like forums, be sure to read the privacy terms before signing up. In forums, your primary choice is usually to become a participant, often with an email address attached to your username, which may or may not be your real name. Alternatively, you may be able to take advantage of guest privileges, if offered, or limit yourself to reading, but not posting.
Internet security experts often remind users that they should consider a public post on the Internet to have eternal life. Even if you remove it, it may have already been cached, backed up and indexed by a web search engine. In the interest of maintaining your privacy on the Internet, it’s best to think twice before posting in the first place.
An accidental invasion of privacy on the Internet can also occur. This would be the case if someone accidentally or thoughtlessly forwarded a multipart email that was intended for only one person, or neglected to omit a personal comment from the sender before resending. While this can best be avoided by strictly separating work and personal emails, this isn’t always a practical solution. Attentive attention and discretion are the only real guarantees.
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