Web Security, Privacy & Commerce, 2nd Edition

Chapter 9. Privacy-Protecting Techniques

In the last chapter, we saw that there are many ways to collect personal information on the Internet. In this chapter, we’ll look at some proven techniques to protect your privacy when you use the Internet. Most of these techniques are simple, common-sense rules that you can put into effect immediately—choosing a good service provider, using good passwords, cleaning up after yourself online, avoiding spam and junk email, and protecting yourself from identity theft. Then, in Chapter 10, we’ll see how to extend these techniques using a variety of free and commercial programs and services. Finally, if you are interested in understanding the legal framework regarding personal information, see Chapter 24.

Choosing a Good Service Provider

The first and most important technique for protecting your privacy is to pick service providers who respect your privacy.

Here are some things to consider when you choose an ISP:

• Unless you take special measures to obscure the content and destinations of your Internet usage, your ISP can monitor every single web page that you visit, every email message that you send, every email message that you receive, and many other things about your Internet usage.

• If you have a dialup ISP, your ISP can also infer when you are at home, when you go on vacation, and other aspects of your schedule.

• If you check your email from work, your ISP can learn where you work.

• Many ISPs routinely monitor the actions of their subscribers for the ...