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Internet privacy consists of privacy over the media of the Internet: the ability to control what information one reveals about oneself over the Internet, and to control who can access that information. Privacy is the ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about themselves and thereby reveal themselves selectively The Internet is a global system of interconnected Computer networks Many people use the term to mean universal Internet privacy: every user of the Internet possessing Internet privacy.

Internet privacy forms a subset of computer privacy. Data privacy is the relationship between collection and dissemination of Data, Technology, the public Expectation of privacy, and the Legal issues Experts in the field of Internet privacy have a consensus that Internet privacy does not really exist. Privacy advocates believe that it should exist.

Contents

Scope of this article

This article discusses Internet privacy. Readers should understand the general topics of privacy and personally-identifiable information. Privacy is the ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about themselves and thereby reveal themselves selectively Whilst the acronym PII is commonly used there is no common or agreed use of the words from which it is created

Levels of privacy

People with only a casual concern for Internet privacy need not achieve total anonymity. Anonymity is derived from the Greek word ανωνυμία, meaning "without a Name " or "namelessness" Internet users may achieve an adequate level of privacy through controlled disclosure of personal information. The revelation of IP addresses, non-personally-identifiable profiling, and similar information might become acceptable trade-offs for the convenience that users could otherwise lose using the workarounds needed to suppress such details rigorously. On the other hand, some people desire much stronger privacy. In that case, they may try to achieve Internet anonymity to ensure privacy — use of the Internet without giving any third parties the ability to link the Internet activities to personally-identifiable information of the Internet user. Whilst the acronym PII is commonly used there is no common or agreed use of the words from which it is created

Risks to Internet privacy

Those concerned about Internet privacy often cite a number of privacy risks — events that can compromise privacy — which one may encounter through Internet use. These methods of compromise can range from statistics gathering on users, to acts that are interpreted as more malicious acts such as the spreading of spyware and various forms of bug exploitation

Privacy measures are provided on several social networking sites to try to provide their users with protection of their personal information. On Facebook for example privacy settings are available for all registered users. The settings available on Facebook include the ability to block certain individuals from seeing your profile, the ability to choose your "friends," and the ability to limit who has access to your pictures and videos. Privacy settings are also available on other social networking sites such as E-harmony and MySpace. It is the user's prerogative to apply such settings when providing personal information on the internet.

Cookies

See main article, HTTP cookie

Cookies are often considered to be a tool which can be used for user-tracking, a common concern in the field of privacy. HTTP cookies, or more commonly referred to as Web cookies tracking cookies or just cookies are parcels of text sent by a server to a Web client (usually HTTP cookies, or more commonly referred to as Web cookies tracking cookies or just cookies are parcels of text sent by a server to a Web client (usually Although HTML-writers most commonly use cookies for legitimate, desirable purposes, cases of abuse can and do occur.

An HTTP cookie consists of a piece of information stored on a user's computer to add statefulness to web-browsing. In Computer science and Automata theory, a state is a unique configuration of information in a program or machine The World Wide Web (commonly shortened to the Web) is a system of interlinked Hypertext documents accessed via the Internet. Systems do not generally make the user explicitly aware of the storing of a cookie. (Although some users object to that, it does not properly relate to Internet privacy, although it does have implications for computer privacy, and specifically for computer forensics). Computer forensics is a branch of Forensic science pertaining to legal evidence found in computers and digital storage mediums

The original developers of cookies intended that only the website that originally distributed cookies to users could retrieve them, therefore giving back only data already possessed by the website. However, in practice programmers can circumvent this restriction. Possible consequences include:

Some users choose to disable cookies in their web browsers - as of 2000 a Pew survey estimated the proportion of users at 4%[1]. This eliminates the potential privacy risks, but may severely limit or prevent the functionality of many websites. All significant web browsers have this disabling ability built-in, with no external program required. As an alternative, users may frequently delete any stored cookies. Some browsers (such as Mozilla Firefox and Opera) have an option to have the system clear cookies automatically whenever the user closes the browser. Opera is a Web browser and Internet suite developed by the Opera Software company A third option involves allowing cookies in general, but preventing their abuse. There are also a host of wrapper applications that will redirect cookies and cache data to some other location.

The process of profiling (also known as "tracking") assembles and analyzes several events, each attributable to a single originating entity, in order to gain information (especially patterns of activity) relating to the originating entity. On the Internet, certain organizations employ profiling of people's web browsing, collecting the URLs of sites visited. Uniform Resource Locator is an URI which also specifies where the identified resource is available and the protocol for retrieving it The resulting profiles may or may not link with information that personally identifies the people who did the browsing.

Some web-oriented marketing-research organizations may use this practice legitimately, for example: in order to construct profiles of 'typical Internet users'. Such profiles, which describe average trends of large groups of Internet users rather than of actual individuals, can then prove useful for market analysis. A Market analysis is a documented investigation of a Market that is used to inform a firm's planning activities particularly around decision of Inventory, purchase Although the aggregate data does not constitute a privacy violation, some people believe that the initial profiling does.

Profiling becomes a more contentious privacy issue, on the other hand, when data-matching associates the profile of an individual with personally-identifiable information of the individual.

Governments and organizations may set up honeypot websites - featuring controversial topics - with the purpose of attracting and tracking unwary people. In computer terminology a honeypot is a trap set to detect deflect or in some manner counteract attempts at unauthorized use of information systems This constitutes a potential danger for individuals.

ISPs

Consumers obtain Internet access through an Internet Service Provider (ISP). An Internet service provider ( ISP, also called Internet access provider or IAP) is a company which primarily offers their customers access to the Internet All Internet data to and from the consumer must pass through the consumer's ISP. Given this, any ISP has the capability of observing anything and everything about the consumer's (unencrypted) Internet activities; however, ISPs are usually prevented from participating in such activities due to legal, ethical, business, or technical issues.

ISPs do, however, collect at least some information about the consumers using their services. From a privacy standpoint, the ideal ISP would collect only as much information as it requires in order to provide Internet connectivity (IP address, billing information if applicable, etc).

What information an ISP collects, what it does with that information, and whether it informs its consumers, can pose significant privacy issues. Beyond usages of collected information typical of third parties, ISPs sometimes state that they will make their information available to government authorities upon request. In the US and other countries, such a request need not involve a warrant.

An ISP cannot know the contents of properly-encrypted data passing between its consumers and the Internet. For encrypting web traffic, https has become the most popular and best-supported standard. The World Wide Web (commonly shortened to the Web) is a system of interlinked Hypertext documents accessed via the Internet. Note however, that even if users encrypt the data, the ISP still knows the IP addresses of the sender and of the recipient. (However, see the IP addresses section for workarounds. )

General concerns regarding internet user privacy have become a concern enough for a UN agency report to on the dangers of identity fraud[2].

Data logging

Many programs and operating systems are set up to perform data logging of usage. Data logging is the practice of recording sequential Data, often chronologically. This may include recording times when the computer is in use, or which web sites are visited. If a third party has sufficient access to the computer, legitimately or not, this may be used to lessen the user's privacy. This could be avoided by disabling logging, or clearing logs regularly.

Other potential Internet privacy risks

Anonymous Internet usage

For anonymous browsing of websites, see anonymizer. Such content will be deleted Specific software is to be mentioned in this article only A Web bug is an object that is embedded in a Web page or E-mail and is usually invisible to the user but allows checking that a user has viewed the page or e-mail Social engineering is the art of manipulating people into performing actions or divulging confidential information In the field of computer security phishing is the Criminally Fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames Passwords In Computer networks a proxy server is a server (a computer system or an application program which services the requests of its clients by forwarding An anonymizer or an anonymous proxy is a tool that attempts to make activity on the Internet untraceable For anonymous email, see anonymous remailer. An anonymous remailer is a server computer which receives messages with embedded instructions on where to send them next and which forwards them without revealing where

Further information: anonymity

Specific cases

Jason Fortuny and Craigslist

In early September 2006, Jason Fortuny, a Seattle-area graphic designer and network administrator, posed as a woman and posted an ad to Craigslist Seattle seeking a casual sexual encounter with men in that area. Anonymity is derived from the Greek word ανωνυμία, meaning "without a Name " or "namelessness" Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Seattle metropolitan area in the US state of Washington includes the city of Seattle, King County, Snohomish County, and Craigslist is a central network of online communities featuring free online classified advertisements – with jobs internships housing personals, erotic On September 4, he posted to the wiki website Encyclopædia Dramatica all 178 of the responses, complete with photographs and personal contact details, describing this as the Craigslist Experiment and encouraging others to further identify the respondents. Events 476 - Romulus Augustus, last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, is deposed when Odoacer proclaims himself Encyclopædia Dramatica is a collaborative Website whose stated purpose is to provide a central catalog for the e-public to view parody and satire of "drama" [3]

Although some online exposures of personal information have been seen as justified as exposing malfeasance, many commentators on the Fortuny case saw no such justification here. "The men who replied to Fortuny's posting did not appear to be doing anything illegal, so the outing has no social value other than to prove that someone could ruin lives online", said law professor Jonathan Zittrain[4] , while Wired writer Ryan Singel described Fortuny as "sociopathic". Jonathan L Zittrain (born 1969 is an American professor of Internet law at Harvard Law School and a faculty co-director of Harvard's Berkman Center Wired is a full-color monthly American Magazine and on-line periodical published in San Francisco, California since March 1993 Ryan Singel is a San Francisco -based blogger and journalist covering civil liberty and privacy issues Sociopathy is a loosely-defined term that may be used to refer to Psychopathy Antisocial personality disorder Dissocial [5]

The Electronic Frontier Foundation indicated that it thought Fortuny might be liable under Washington State Law, and that this would depend on whether the information he disclosed was of legitimate public concern. The Electronic Frontier Foundation ( EFF) is an international non-profit advocacy and legal organization based in the United States with the stated purpose of being dedicated Washington ( is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Kurt Opsahl, the EFF's staff attorney, said "As far as I know, they (the respondents) are not public figures, so it would be challenging to show that this was something of public concern. "[6]

In April 2008, it came to light that Fortuny was sued by a "John Doe" plaintiff who was exposed by his project. [7] Fortuny initially bragged about the lawsuit on his blog, dubbing it the "Battle in Seattle", but mysteriously and quickly removed any and all references to the suit. Blogger Michael Crook has relentlessly covered the story on his blog.

Second Life database compromise

Also in September 2006, online game Second Life experienced a security breach that resulted in the exposure of its customer database, including the unencrypted names and addresses and the encrypted passwords and billing information of 650,000 users. Second Life ( abbreviated as SL) and its sister site Teen Second Life are Internet-based 3D Virtual Linden Lab, the company behind the game, notified the users of the breach and required all users (or 'residents') of the game to reset their passwords before logging in. [8]

Yahoo! and MSN search data

Data from major Internet companies, including Yahoo! and MSN (Microsoft) have already been subpoenaed by the United States[9] and China[10]. MSN (The M icro' s' oft N etwork is a collection of Internet services provided by Microsoft. Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational Computer technology Corporation, which rose to dominate the Home computer The federal government of the United States is the central United States Governmental body established by the United States Constitution. AOL even provided a chunk of its own search data online[11], allowing reporters to track the online behaviour of private individuals[12].

US v. Zeigler

US v. Zeigler

Many cases discuss whether a private employee (i. e. , not a government employee) who stores incriminating evidence in workplace computers is protected by the Fourth Amendment's reasonable expectation of privacy standard in a criminal proceeding.

Most case law holds that employees do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy when it comes to their work related electronic communications. See, e. g. US v. Simons, 206 F. 3d 392, 398 (4th Cir. , Feb. 28, 2000).

However, one federal court held that employees can assert that the attorney-client privilege with respect to certain communications on company laptops. See Curto v. Medical World Comm. , No. 03CV6327, 2006 U. S. Dist. LEXIS 29387 (E. D. N. Y. May 15, 2006).

Another recent federal case discussed this topic. On January 30, 2007, the Ninth Circuit court in US v. Ziegler, reversed its earlier August 2006 decision upon a petition for rehearing. In contrast to the earlier decision, the Court acknowledged that an employee has a right to privacy in his workplace computer. However, the Court also found that an employer can consent to any illegal searches and seizures. See US v. Ziegler, ___F. 3d 1077 (9th Cir. Jan. 30, 2007, No. 05-30177). [1] Cf. US v. Ziegler, 456 F. 3d 1138 (9th Cir. 2006).

In Ziegler, an employee had accessed child pornography websites from his workplace. His employer noticed his activities, made copies of the hard drive, and gave the FBI the employee's computer. At his criminal trial, Ziegler filed a motion to suppress the evidence because he argued that the government violated his Fourth Amendment rights.

The Ninth Circuit allowed the lower court to admit the child pornography as evidence. After reviewing relevant Supreme Court opinions on a reasonable expectation of privacy, the Court acknowledged that Ziegler had a reasonable expectation of privacy at his office and on his computer. That Court also found that his employer could consent to a government search of the computer, and that did not violate Ziegler's Fourth Amendment rights.

State v. Reid

State v. Reid: Online Sabotage of an Employer's Computer in New Jersey Is an employees internet use protected by her rights of privacy

A New Jersey appellate court has also issued an opinion on the privacy rights of computer users. That court held that computer users can expect that the personal information they give their internet service providers are considered private. State v. Reid 2007 N. J. Super. LEXIS 11 (January 22, 2007). [2].

In that case, prosecutors asserted that Shirley Reid broke into her employer’s computer system and changed its shipping address and password for suppliers. The police discovered her identity after getting a subpoena to the internet provider, Comcast Internet Service.

The lower court suppressed information from the internet service provider that linked Reid with the crime. The New Jersey appellate court agreed with this decision. As a result, New Jersey offers greater privacy rights to computer users than most federal courts. Although this case does not directly discuss the Fourth amendment, it illustrates that some states are providing more privacy protection to computer users than the federal courts. It also illustrates that caselaw on privacy in workplace computers is still evolving

Teachers and MySpace

Teachers’ privacy on MySpace has created controversy across the world. They are forewarned by The Ohio News Association [13] that if they have a MySpace account, it should be deleted. Eschool News warns, “Teachers watch what you post online. ” [14] The ONA also posted a memo advising teachers not to join these sites. Teachers can face consequences of license revocations, suspensions, and written reprimands.

The Chronicle of Higher Education wrote an article on April 27, 2007 entitled A MySpace Photo Costs a Student a Teaching Certificate about Stacy Snyder. She was a student of Millersville University of Pennsylvania who was denied her teaching degree because of an unprofessional photo posted on MySpace, which involved her drinking with a pirates’ hat on and a caption of “Drunken Pirate". Due to this, she was given an English degree.

John Bush, a 52 year old physical education teacher from St. Augustine, was fired over an inappropriate, not pornographic, picture that was posted on MySpace. [15] What is considered inappropriate is up to the discretion of the school board.

References

  1. ^ Trust and Privacy Online: Why Americans Want to Rewrite the Rules. Pew Internet & American Life Project. Released Aug. 20, 2000
  2. ^ UN warns on password 'explosion'
  3. ^ Neva Chonin (2006-09-17). Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec Sex and the City. San Francisco Chronicle. The San Francisco Chronicle was founded in 1865 as The Daily Dramatic Chronicle by teenage brothers Charles de Young and Michael H Retrieved on 2007-06-17. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1462 - Vlad III the Impaler attempts to assassinate Mehmed II ( The Night Attack) forcing him to retreat
  4. ^ Anick Jesdanun (12 September 2006). Prankster posts sex ad replies online. AP. The Associated Press ( AP) is an American News agency. The AP is a Cooperative owned by its contributing Newspapers radio Retrieved on 2007-06-27. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden
  5. ^ Ryan Singel (2006-09-08). Ryan Singel is a San Francisco -based blogger and journalist covering civil liberty and privacy issues Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 70 - Roman forces under Titus sack Jerusalem. 1264 - The Statute of Kalisz Craigslist. Wired Blogs. Retrieved on 2006-09-12. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1213 - Albigensian Crusade: Simon de Montfort 5th Earl of Leicester, defeats Peter II of Aragon at the
  6. ^ Anick Jesdanun (12 September 2006). Prankster posts sex ad replies online. AP. The Associated Press ( AP) is an American News agency. The AP is a Cooperative owned by its contributing Newspapers radio Retrieved on 2007-06-27. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden
  7. ^ Michael Crook (2008-04-17). 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 69 - After the First Battle of Bedriacum, Vitellius becomes Roman Emperor. Lawsuit Over Craigslist Drama?. Michael Crook. Retrieved on 2008-06-02. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 455 - The Vandals enter Rome, and plunder the city for two weeks
  8. ^ Eric Auchard (2006-09-11). Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 9 - The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ends 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul Fantasy site Second Life has real-world privacy slip. Reuters. Retrieved on 2006-09-14. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 81 - Domitian becomes Emperor of the Roman Empire upon the death of his brother Titus.
  9. ^ Bush Administration Demands Search Data; Google Says No; AOL, MSN & Yahoo Said Yes
  10. ^ Yahoo Knew More About China Journalist Subpoena Than It Told Congress It Did
  11. ^ Forget The Government, AOL Exposes Search Queries To Everyone
  12. ^ They know all about you
  13. ^ Learning Curve
  14. ^ Related Top News - Teachers warned about MySpace profiles
  15. ^ Teacher Fights Firing Over MySpace Page - Education News Story - WJXT Jacksonville

See also

External links

Freenet is a decentralized Censorship -resistant Distributed data store originally designed by Ian Clarke. GNUnet is a Free software framework for decentralized, Peer-to-peer networking. Proxomitron, the Universal Web Filter is a filtering web proxy written by Scott R FLAIM (Framework for Log Anonymization and Information Management is a modular tool designed to allow computer and network log sharing through application of complex data sanitization " On the Internet nobody knows you're a dog " is an Adage which began as the caption of a Cartoon by Peter Steiner published by The
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