The Complete Guide to Internet Privacy

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When you "visit" a Web site, you are basically asking to see documents that are stored on someone else's computer. You are more or less anonymous unless someone wants to scour the Web server's records for details of your specific visit to it. Owing to new Web browser program features, Web pages can also contain programs that can be sent to your computer - some that could have a malicious property to them. Your Web browser program offers some security against dubious Web sites and annoying content, but you may want to add additional protection.

E-mail presents a different twist to the delivery of data to your PC because you have little control over its source. E-mail is delivered to your computer when you connect and ask to retrieve it from an email server. You have no control over what someone is sending you - whether plain text, a Web page or a file attachment that may contain a virus. If the mail is sent Web page style, or you open the file attachment, you could expose your system to a virus.

You can avoid most e-mail-related security concerns by keeping your email program up-to-date against security vulnerabilities and by using the virus protection software discussed in the next section. It's important to know that e-mail can be traced back, with some approximation, to the point of origin, but those who want to send e-mail anonymously can do so with any number of Internet and software tricks. Likewise, e-mail you send is traceable back to you, or at least to your ISP's server and possibly to your individual dial-up session. Given enough time and investigation it is possible to trace e-mail back to a specific PC, but this is rarely done unless you are truly creating an "e-nuisance" of yourself. Making sure your email is secure only requires a couple of extra steps and some special software.

Privacy Protection at Work

This issue has been bandied about to near exhaustion. Simply put, employers provide equipment, software and internet connectivity to run their business. It is certainly reasonable for corporations to create policy for their employees that addresses the risks of handling potentially discriminatory or harassing information inside the office.

Employers have a right and a responsibility to preserve the integrity of the corporation and the well - being of the entire employee base in all aspects. This includes information that flows in and out of their facilities, which extends to any equipment services that may provide an employee working at home. Internet connectivity at work thus an on-the-job privilege.

PRACTICING SAFE NET

1. GET THE UPDATES
Remember that when you're on the Internet, your system becomes a part of it. The most common threat is that of receiving a virus sent via e-mail. You can nip this threat in the bud by running virus protection software and updating it regularly. Fortunately, many solutions require only common sense, some routine system maintenance, a relatively simple reconfiguration of your system, or readily available software or hardware.

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