Along with new technologies and Internet we’ve got new threats to our privacy. This statement is about spyware, adware, malware, carding, dialers, etc., that are designed for personal and aggregate information “stealth�?. There are people that profit from personally identifiable information theft. That is why every legal site must provide Privacy Policy that discloses it’s policy towards your personal data security, usage of your data and what kind of information is collected.
Legal web site can collect aggregate or personally identifiable information or both, but it must note that all information is obtain legally and voluntary by you. That means that when you fill in some registration blank or sign up for a newsletter you voluntary accept with all conditions of the site and privacy policy and submit you information. The information may contain name, surname, addresses, credit card numbers, etc. And that would be personally identifiable information. If registration form ask only username, e-mail, gender, year, maybe country, then it is aggregate information.
The site creators must provide information how they collect information, what kind of information they need and how they use it. Also there must be disclosed statements about security of your information. Mostly legal sites state that information is used for site’s promotion and enhance. Personally identifiable information is used for performance of serviced. Companies use all this information to target sales of products and services to users interests and lifestyle - delivering tailored news, information on bargain travel, the latest book on user’s favourite subject. It is also state that they do not sell this information to third parties.
Sometimes site don’t need any registrations and it do not collect any information, except for cookies data. This is also disclosed for users. Cookies track just IP address and some more information that isn’t considered as personally identifiable, but still this data s under protection.
If you read privacy policy of the web site and don’t find any statements about your security, be cautious, use that site very carefully. It must not only say that you’re safe but also what actions and tools provides security to you and you have right to know when site’s owners are incapable to protect your privacy.
If you are not sure if your privacy is safe, don’t disclose any personal information, especially credit card numbers, mother’s maiden name and social security number. If you feel insecure giving your credit card numbers, but site looks safe for you, find out what payment system is used on the site. The most safe systems are:
- Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
- Secure Electronic Transaction (SET)
- Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (S-HTTP)
