Internet Privacy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Internet Privacy - Research Paper Example Another sensitive matter is that a person in most cases is not even aware of the fact that she/he is being watched. Various intelligent software, bots and sensing devices follow everything from the mouse movement, to the clicking behaviour, to the websites visited to basically every activity performed. Usually this information is used for marketing purposes but more often than not this information goes to a database that has no right to store personal data. The basis of internet was a free agency, where everyone has access to all the information in the world. One would think that on the basis of what internet was formed it is against ethics to be constantly monitored. Nowadays it is the burgeoning social media that causes more problems, not every one is aware that all the profiles that they make online, all the images uploaded are eventually liable to be stored. Internet privacy provides a person with the right of storing and displaying their information online and not be distributin g it to third party members. A number of experts do argue that as the information is posted online, every person accessing the internet has a right to view it. The concept of internet and privacy together cannot exist thereby. It is important to teach and tell every internet user about how vulnerable they are online, they should be made aware of all the risks they face and how the information posted online is permanent. Most people are not aware of this fact which is why many argue about the right of privacy. There are mainly two types of concern over privacy. One is that the information collected can lead to the individual’s identification. This is called personally identifiable information; this is usually done by spyware, website operators etc. The other is monitoring of email and web usage by ISPs or the government for security purposes. Government, security agencies all have the right to accessing information over the internet. It often becomes the matter of security not just for an individual but for the whole nation as well. For them it is extremely crucial and also the matter of life and death to have access to information and find criminals and terrorists. However various laws are in place for internet privacy and more are being formulated as vulnerability constantly increases online. Activities that reveal personal information online: 1) Signing up for an ISP: Every person is assigned an IP address once they access the internet. This is a number that cannot personally identify you. But the ISP knows which IP address is assigned to which client. Thereby just accessing the internet provides a threat to one’s identity. 2) E-mails: When signing up for an email address one has to film a form where all the information is provided. Granted this information is secure and subject to tough laws but still there is no confirmed way of saying that this information cannot be leaked. Google for example tries to offer a personalized service with using that data. Once you email someone you are providing them with your name, other than that all the information that is sent in the email can also is accessed. Random monitoring of everyone’s emails is an extremely tough task and also against privacy. However due to certain laws ISPs are given the right to check a suspects emails and communication. In 2010 a court order (U.S v Warshak) did decide that even thought ISPs have the right to access private emails, for government access a search warrant will be required. 3) Browsing: Even simple browsing invades an