During the last five years, the internet has become an avalanche of information that continues to envelope more and more of our everyday lives. As we learn more about the internet and its users, we begin to understand the need for research in order to truly harness this powerful resource.
How do you define internet privacy?
Internet privacy is the desire or mandate of personal privacy with respect to transactions or transmission of data via the Internet. It involves the exercise of control over the type or amount of information that persons reveal about themselves on the Internet and who may access such information. The term is often understood to mean universal Internet privacy, i.e. every user of the Internet possessing Internet privacy. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_privacy )
It’s baffling that the level of privacy provided to internet users is only as secure as their competency when it comes to navigating the web. “Although the Internet has dramatically increased the scale and speed at which such data are collected, legislators should modify existing laws for the Internet, rather than create new laws or a new category of laws. For example, laws similar to those governing faxes should govern e-mail, and Internet-privacy regulations should mirror privacy laws governing traditional direct marketers.” (http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/ncguest2.htm )
Is your personal information safe?
We have entered into a truly defining time in our worlds history. Using the internet we now have the ability to search, sell and purchase virtually anything in the world. This luxury perpetuates our innate desire for instant gratification but comes at a price. "You'll be surprised to see what information others can find out about you. Without your knowledge and permission, most your personal records are published on Internet and are available to public. With your name or a phone number, anyone can pinpoint the house you live in and learn all kinds of detailed personal information you don't want strangers to know." (http://www.squidoo.com/personalInformation)
Although we can't stand the idea of someone or something tracking our personal information and online habits, these are the very things that make the internet such a powerful resource. By monitoring a person's online activity and associating it with their personal information allow researchers to establish demographics. These same demographics allow companies like Google, Microsoft and Mozilla the necessary information needed to build better internet experiences that feed our desire for instant access, ease of use and availability.
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