2.Privacy and Personal Information
From Scratchpad
[edit] 2. Privacy and Personal Information
Assignment 2. Privacy and Personal Information Web Sites - Search the web for sites that talk about privacy and computers. Find one that you think is particularly interesting. Write a brief description of the site and the social issues discussed. What is the impact on society? Why is this important?
http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/ComputersAndSociety
This site mentions how manufacturers can make wiretapping easier on the internet and give the FEDs more freedom to tap whenever and wherever they want. If they enable more options to invade privacy, don't you think that others will easily hack into these advantages as well? They say that even terrorists can use infrastructure information if they get their hands on private information.
(JL, summer 2006)
http://www.dailypennsylvanian.com/vnews/display.v/ART/443209e61a3bf
"Admissions office to use Facebook"
An article about the possibility of colleges using Facebook as part of the application process. It states that many colleges think it's a great idea because facebook allows admissions officers to learn more about their applicants personality in addition to the paper application. (ML summer 2006)
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/15000559.htm
"Companies paying more attention to data security"
This article talks about how computer chain stores, such as Best Buy, are allocating more money to protect data security of their customers. The article also talked about the probability of an U.S. citizen falling victim to identity theft is decreasing, because more people are taking measures to protect their online identity. The article also talked about how the U.S. government is taking further steps to ensure the security of its citizens on the Internet. This article is important because identity theft is a serious problem in the United States: the total cost of U.S. identity theft alone was $56.6 billion in 2005. Companies need to invest more on security because the identity thieves have nothing to lose and their actions are jeopardizing the welfare of our society.
JL, Summer '06
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/sci_tech/2000/dot_life/2487651.stm
Visiting multiple webpages is a daily event for most people. However, not everyone realizes how many "parasite programs" there are. Just from visiting a site these programs can not only track how long one was on the site for record purposes, but also the information one puts into the website while logging in. Adware and spyware are the two types of "parasite programs." "What they have in common, is that they quietly download onto your computer while you are online" (Ward). Not only are these programs fighting back against anti-adware and anti-spyware programs, but they also are the vessel to carry viruses, especially in the not-so-secure Explorer. LC summer 06
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/privacy.jsp
The US Department of Homeland Security's website privacy policy was interesting in that the website claims to not store any particularly private information except for IP addresses and some not as important information. It continuously states throughout the page how it is not responsible for the acts of other websites. The disclaimer part at the bottom, however, made me think about how much effect it actually has on the people that use the website. Most websites that store personal information use these disclaimers, but how much reassurance does it actually give its users? Do people actually feel better upon reading them? JH, Summer 06
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/internet/06/29/google.checkout.reut/index.html
This site announces that Google is coming out with a new option for online sellers, "Google Checkout" or "GBuy" or "Google Wallet," where customers can simply type in their personal information just once and not have to remember it all the next time they make purchases. While this may sound very convenient, after all--who likes remembering all those passwords anyway?--it may be too convenient for hackers or identity thiefs to steal your information. This article mentioned Microsoft's version of Google Checkout, called Microsoft Passport, that completely bombed when it was released. CL summer 06
http://nwanews.com/bcdr/News/37126/
This website concerntrates on e-mail and how society has been affected by it. The article has given various cases where people are hurt by the e-mails they send out. Some of the common cases are like sending or forwarding an e-mail to the wrong person. Or certain things a person said is used against that person as a result of someone else forwarding or copy/paste an e-mail. The specialists suggest that we should be careful about what we say on e-mails, and we should compose our e-mails as if the whole world is going to see it. CYZ summer 2006
This is a site to search for other people. By typing in a phone number, or a name, city, and state, you can find someone's information with less than 40 dollars. Even without the 40 dollars, you can find out what city their cell phone is located, and what cities their addresses could be in. ... ch summer 06
http://www.mirabilis.ca/2006/01/24/google-and-lack-of-privacy
This site discusses how Google's search engine stores a lifetime cookie and has the capability of searching its users' private information including their personal history as well as social contacts...hw summer 2006
"The British government says its ID card database will become a national population register of basic personal information that its agencies can use to verify identity."
If all the information can get it from the ID card, people lossing their ID card will cause the information leaking. People will use your information to do something illegal. .. bw spring06
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs21-children.htm
This is a guide for parents to protect their kids from the danger of the internet. The Internet is a palce with useful and fascinating information, but also full of dangers. Kids can be tricked into giving out personal information.
Are Kids safe on the Internet? .. fc spring06
See CIS2 Privacy and Personal Information for submission provided in previous semesters.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/internet/06/12/idtheft.internet/index.html
This website discusses the responsibility of the government and financial institutions to protect the privacy of its citizens and customers. jc summer 2006
https://www.aclu.org/privacy/spying/15578res20030420.html
This website discusses the Pentagon's "Total Information Awareness" Program, which is the government's large-scale computerized database of personal information, such as travel history, medical and financial records, phone calls, school records, etc. CL summer06
http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/wp/privacy/kidprivacy.html
This website discusses the internet threat to kids' privacy through chat rooms and advertisements among others. The site also talks about government action taken as well as educational consequences related to protecting kids' privacy. AL summer 2006
http://www.pcsndreams.com/Pages/Articles/IDTheft.htm The site discusses the issue of identity theft through the use of the internet. It addresses the issue of how to prevent identity theft and the degree of responsibilityh of the government and business versus the individual. OD Summer 2006
http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-internet2jun02,0,622125.story?coll=la-home-headlines This site is an article in the Times Magazine discussing the issue of online privacy. There is fear that the government is misusing their power and invading people's privacy; however, it is for the good of the people. It addresses these issues. GP Summer 2006
http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/386?ref=rss
This site is an article that points out the fact that there are thousands of programs that are created to protect our privacy. However, most people simply do not have the time to research and either purchase or download these programs. SN Summer 2006
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/07/09/BIGMOTHER.TMP
The news article reports that parents start to use electrical device to track their children in their cars. The device record the speed, distance, and the number of stops and turns the car has made and in this particular case, a teenager's parents found out that she lied to them and went to party 9 miles away. CL Summer 2006
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/internetprivacy/2005-05-27-tech-privacy_x.htm?csp=N009
This website talks about the concerns of pivacy and the workplace computer. Computers at work should be used for work-related reasons, but if one happens to be done with all of his/her tasks, it's convenient to check personal or business-related e-mails or anything online that can be done quickly in five minutes or less. However, I do understand that sometimes, given these priveledges, people do abuse the power they have at work. The article did say that real-time monitoring is illegal and most of the monitoring is limited. I think there should be some sort of monitoring at work to make sure people are working and not being distracted. What does everyone think about this? SM Summer 2006
http://www.anonymizer.com/consumer/media/press_releases/03312006.html This site is about a new software that is being released in China that would allow for citizens to access a censor-free internet. How does censorship relate to privacy? What is the government's role in both? RH Summer 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/cnet/CNET_2100-1028_3-6091942.html
This website discusses how the FBI recently announced its plan to push for legislation mandating Internet Service Providers to create "wiretapping hubs" for them, so that police surveillance can be conducted, and terrorism (or other suspicious acts) can be better prevented... LC Summer 2006
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-07-05-fbi-letters_x.htm
This article from USA Today addresses national security letters, which act as simple permissions for search warrants. With just a simple letter explaining a possibility of terrorism, the FBI is able to search information about people in computer databases and other official records without informing them.
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs2b-cellprivacy.htm
This article discusses the new and future uses of cell phones. Some of these include telemarketers and personal tracking devices. The author calls into question the amount of privacy individuals have with the advancement of cell phones. VH summer 2006
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/feb2006/tc20060228_241578.htm
This article from Businessweek explains why you should be cautious about what kind of photos and comments you put on your websites especially popular pages such as Myspace and Facebook. Users are using more and more of the privacy options to prevent unwanted people from look and surfing their pages. PP summer 2006
http://www.libertypost.org/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=122448
This news article, "US Spying is Much Wider Some Suspect," written by Josh Meyer and Joseph Menn, discusses how President Bush and the NSA have ambiguously stated that some form of data mining, including wiretapping unsuspecting Americans is being used for security measures against terrorist plots. Though NSA members have defended their actions as complying with the law, experts are convinced that the intrusive behavior is not law abiding and far more expansive than what NSA claims it to be. Post 9-11, it has been discovered that the Bush administration has wiretapped many conversations without warrants. Experts worry these actions hinge upon people's rights. TC summer 2006
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1093&ncid=1093&e=1&u=/pcworld/20060621/tc_pcworld/126195
This is a news article about Myspace taking legal action against two websites that compromise its user policy by allowing people to view the relationship status of various Myspace account holders. The article also explores the topic of a website trying to override the code of Myspace and Facebook to have search engines show information from the accounts of these websites. The underlying theme of the article is the advent of websites and codes that compromise internet privacy by having information from closed sites available for public viewing. - MK Summer 2006.
This article discusses the possible re-enactment of the bill which would allow internet traffic to be tracked. It states that if this surveillance bill is passed, the police will have even greater powers. They will be able to track people's activities and access people's personal information without a warrant. This introduces a great threat to the privacy of Canadian residents. This article also hints that with internet surveillance they would be able to track or prevent more terrorist activity. -SH summer 2006
http://mediafilter.org/caq/CAQ56brother.html
This site gives an overview on the different methods that the various governments in the world have used to conduct surveillance on their citizens. It notes how advanced technology has allowed bureaucratic organizations to conduct mass surveillance as opposed to the one-on-one, private eye tracking of the past. Now, the use of ID cards and other cross-linking technology allows for the categorization and consolidation of information and power under a single government institution, such as the SSN (social security number) or driver's license. This continued practice could threaten the political freedom of individuals in countries like China and even the United States, especially in the face of the recent threat of terrorism. -JX summer 2006
http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20060626/tc_pcworld/126230
The article discusses the unforeseen consequeces of peer to peer network such as music downloading and file sharing. Often when downloading from P-to-P networks, people do not realize they are not just sharing music but often whatever is on their computer also. There are millions of searches each day for private information such as bank statements and credit reports that contain all the information necessary to steal identities. The Fair Credit Report Act which was implemented to allow consumers to see their own credit report unfortunately also makes it a target for identity thiefs. Like the book stated, there are always liberties traded for discounts (such as free music).
Who is at fault for identity theft, especially when it comes to peer to peer network and the trade that was made for discounts? What can people do to prevent such incidents from happening? - TT Summer 2006
http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9903/08/techpriv.idg/
Technology is Increasing Security, Not Threatening It - The author of this site believes that security has increased over the years, and that you are safer using a computer than you were when you did things face to face and other people could over hear your conversations. With the ability to use cell phones and other technological advances you can work virtually anywhere. With this capability you can make sure your environment is more secure. JL Summer 2006
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/195875_google19.html?searchpagefrom=2&searchdiff=98
Internet cafes are fun and provide an easy access to the Internet, but what if everything you do on the computer can be see and used by the next person? Google has created a new tool that "indexes a PC's contents for quickly locating data." Once installed, it can locate information and reveal web pages visited, emails written, files created through Word, and much more. For a personal, one-user computer, the tool could be helpful, but for shared computers, the question of privacy pops up. At work places, or even homes, other individuals such as employers or parents could have easy access to pretty much everything you have done online. The intention of the tool is to be a search engine, but the uses could be dangerous in the wrong hands. AL Summer 2006
The article in Computerworld magazine focuses on the issue between privacy and internet customization. The majority of the American public value privacy and are attracted to customizing their internet settings. The article includes the views between privacy and personalization with a survey conducted at Ponemon Institue. AC Summer 2006
http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/
This site, as you can see by the .gov ending, is a government site. It is by the Federal Trade Commission. "The Federal Trade Commission is educating consumers and businesses about the importance of personal information privacy, including the security of personal information." It is interesting because it is the government institution directly responsible for ensuring privacy. It links to the following website http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/12/dsw.htm. Hackers got into the DSW (shoe discounter) system and gained access to credit card information of customers. So the FTC charged them with failing to "protect sensitive customer data." It details what DSW neglected to do to ensure information was safe.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/01/20/business/google.php
The US government has asked Google to turn over information regarding their users' searches. They wanted the search engine to provide to them "records of a week's worth of search queries". Basically, they wanted them to give them information on which keywords people are looking up and how many times they are being searched over a week's period. However, the government has failed to tell them exactly how they're using the data, only that it would be used for their research in preventing child pornography sites. Google has been alone in refusing to turn over this information as AOL, Yahoo, and MSN have all already complied. This has resulted in a subpoena by the federal court, demanding that Google give them the information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing A hot new topic in computer information is the act of phishing. Legislation is trying to put an end to this form of criminal activity via hacking. Phishers try to obtain sensitive information by acting as a trustworthy person over the internet. This is generally committed over instant messaging programs or through e-mail. People are being educated of these 'Phishers' through social, legal, and technical methods. GZ Summer 2006
https://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2002/12/10/213152/57 This website features a descriptive article about posting on message boards or forums anonymously, with some political and social baggage that goes along with it. NY Summer 2006
http://www.geocities.com/inkrefillhub/ This site helps you find drugs that you need to buy online by showing links to different stores, based on the drugs you desire. I think that this is very beneficial to people who need drugs for pain caused by diseases such as MS (multiple sclerosis). This saves people a lot of trouble, and potentially pain, by delivering what they need at a set time to their home. GZ summer 2006
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VPN
This wikipedia article discusses virtual private networks, which are enclosed virtual networks used by businesses in order for anyone who has clearance to access the company servers from anywhere using a laptop.
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