Chapter 5 : Consumer Privacy on the Internet

Now a days Consumer privacy is a most important concern on the Internet. The surprising expansion of the Internet has created a number of privacy issues that society has never encountered before. Many internet marketing allows anyone to do disguised searches, asset verification checks and criminal background checks on any individual for a nominal fee. Additionally, some websites allows users to order a background check on any individual in the database. This public record report includes property ownership, civil judgments, driver's license physical description and summary of assets. Privacy issues on the Internet relate to two important concerns. The first concern is, users' ability to check the speed, nature, and order of the information they view. Spam is a control concern because it violates privacy, steals resources, and compares to receiving a piece of direct mail with postage due. 

A second concern relates to the ability of users to address and understand how organizations collect and use personal information on the Internet. Many Web sites require visitors to identify themselves and provide information about their wants and needs. Some Web sites track visitors' footsteps through the site by storing a cookie, or identifying string of text, on their computers. The use of cookies can be an ethical issue, especially because many users have no idea that this transfer of information is even occurring. 

Internet privacy is an important ethical issue because most organizations engaging in e-commerce have not yet developed policies and codes of conduct to encourage responsible behavior. While there have been international regulatory and self-regulatory initiatives to address these issues, there is no global effort to deal with online privacy. The initiatives that have been developed deal with consumer privacy from businesses and trade organizations. 

A Web site operator must post a clear and prominent link to a notice of its information practices on its home page and at each area where personal information is collected from children. The notice must state the name and contact information of all operators, the type of personal information collected from children, how such personal information is used, and whether personal information is disclosed to third parties.

5 Ways to Protect your information on the Internet

Today there are many professional hackers who can hack into your email and get your banking and other personal details, leading to online scams and identity theft. But you can avoid that with these seven tips that help protect your privacy and identity online.

Change your password regularly

When was the last time you changed your passwords for your email, online banking, social networking accounts? Do you use the same password on every site you use? Have you shared your password with anyone? If yes, then it is high time you change your password. Of course, once is not enough. Make sure to change all your passwords every two to three months. Also, no matter how close you are to someone, do not divulge your password to her.

Hide your IP address

Did you know that your IP address can reveal personal information about you? Yes, that includes your area, city, state, zip code and browse type. Although this may seem harmless you never know who is lurking the Internet, waiting for any information he/ she can get about you and in turn invade your privacy. Install a software on your computer that helps you hide your IP address and your online activities too.

Avoid giving out personal information

We've all received emails from institutions or banks asking for personal details at some time or the other. However, if you've noticed, they never ask you for passwords or bank account details as this information must remain with only you. Hence, if you receive a mail requesting such information, know that it is spam and do not reply.

  Use WiFi protection

Wi-fi hotspots are major platforms for hosting cybercrimes as these can be used by multiple users anywhere around the Wi-fi area. For securing the Wi fi connection, use a password and don't disclose it to anyone. Also use an online anonymity product that shields your identity by passing all of your searches and information through an encrypted VPN tunnel.

 Review privacy setting

Don't assume that the default privacy settings on any website will protect your private information.  Make a habit of regularly reviewing the settings.  It's a good practice to check out your settings after any site changes. If you notice anything different on the site, use it as a reminder to check your privacy settings.


 

Chapter 5 : Personal Information on the Internet

"Protect your personal information because the Internet never forgets," - Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

"The Internet lets you share information with anyone, anywhere, at any time, but not without some peril to your privacy," Canada’s Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart warned.

"There are nearly two billion people now using the Internet and two billion people who can potentially access information about you with the click of a button. So whenever you put your personal information in cyberspace, whether accidentally or by design, it may be impossible to control who uses it and how."

What's the risk?

"Strangers could use it to embarrass you or damage your reputation. Businesses could use it to track your personal likes and dislikes, without your knowledge or consent. It could also be stolen and used in ways that cause you significant personal and financial harm."

"You may not realize it, but whenever you go online, you’re building an identity through the words and images you post and the activities you do. This can become part of your reputation, and it can be a lasting one. Once personal information goes online, it may be difficult to delete. While you may be able to delete it in one place, there may be cached versions or copies stored elsewhere that you cannot control. Digital storage is cheap and computer memory is plentiful. And, unlike people, the Net never forgets."

So it’s important to think about what you’re doing online, and to always protect your information.

The quantity, accessibility and persistence of personal information online affect privacy in ways that are of mounting global concern. Governments, privacy professionals, corporations, academics and students from around the world are marking the annual Data Privacy Day to help raise awareness about the impact that technology is having on our privacy rights and to promote the protection of personal information.

"The threats to privacy are huge and growing. So the protection of personal information has to be the responsibility of everyone – data-protection authorities, organizations and individuals alike, in Canada and around the world."

Chapter 5 : Definition of Internet Privacy

What does Internet Privacy mean?

Internet privacy is the privacy and security level of personal data published via the Internet. It is a broad term that refers to a variety of factors, techniques and technologies used to protect sensitive and private data, communications, and preferences.

Internet privacy and anonymity are paramount to users, especially as e-commerce continues to gain traction. Privacy violations and threat risks are standard considerations for any website under development.

Internet privacy is also known as online privacy.

G.J.No Explains More About Internet Privacy

Internet privacy is cause for concern for any user planning to make an online purchase, visit a social networking site, participate in online games or attend forums. If a password is compromised and revealed, a victim's identity may be fraudulently used or stolen.

Internet privacy risks include:

• Phishing: An Internet hacking activity used to steal secure user data, including username, password, bank account number, security PIN or credit card number.
• Pharming: An Internet hacking activity used to redirect a legitimate website visitor to a different IP address.
• Spyware: An offline application that obtains data without a user's consent. When the computer is online, previously acquired data is sent to the spyware source.
• Malware: An application used to illegally damage online and offline computer users through Trojans, viruses and spyware.

Internet privacy violation risks may be minimized, as follows:

• Always use preventative software applications, such as anti-virus, anti-malware, anti-spam and firewalls
• Avoid shopping on unreliable websites
• Avoid exposing personal data on websites with lower security levels
• Clear the browser's cache and browsing history on a consistent basis
• Always use very strong passwords consisting of letters, numerals and special characters

Don't Be A Victim of Scam!

Credit to : http://www.maybank2u.com.my/mbb_info/m2u/public/personalDetail04.do?channelId=Personal&cntTypeId=0&cntKey=OB04.01&programId=OB-OnlineBanking&chCatId=%2Fmbb%2FPersonal
 

Maybank will NEVER send out emails with attachments or links leading to Maybank2u.com. DO NOT click on unknown email links from any “Maybank emails”.
Even the most alert of us can get scammed. Never assume you won’t be hit. 

Scam Alert!

Never assume you won't fall victim to phishing scams. Be alert towards any emails requesting your particulars or to apply for a TAC number. DO NOT log in to Maybank2u.com via any email links.

Phone Scam
If you receive calls regarding credit cards or loans claiming to be from any financial institutions, please DO NOT share your username, password and TAC number. DO NOT respond to requests to update 3rd party TAC mobile number.

Nevertheless, we encourage you to take precaution when giving out any confidential information (including your credit card number) over the Internet/phone or any other channel.

How to prevent yourself from being victims of phishing scams!

Here are some easy steps to help you identify a phishing scam:

    1. Email Phishing Scams
    Sample phishing scam email #1


    Sample phishing scam email #2




    2. Manually Key in URL
    Always manually type our URL address www.maybank2u.com.my into your browser to ensure that you are in the authentic Maybank2u.com website



    3. Site Authentication
    Before entering your username and password, observe the lock icon located next to the browser's address bar. The certificate should only be for www.maybank2u.com.my and no other. DO NOT click on any lock icons on the webpage itself. If you do not see any lock icon as shown in the images below, DO NOT PROCEED.

    Internet Explorer


    Firefox


    Google Chrome


    Safari


    4. Image Verification
    ONLY log in if you see your chosen image and phrase.



    If you see any other Image, Phrase, or any of the samples shown below, DO NOT PROCEED.

    Sample


    • ENSURE the image and phrase shown is the one you personally chose.
    • DO NOT key in your password if the image is not available.
    • DO NOT key in your password if the image is "Loading".

    Maybank will NEVER request for your personal banking ID, PIN number, TAC number and credit card information. Protect yourself. Don't fall into the phishing trap.

    5. Update Your Browser
    The latest version of several browsers can detect and warn you of many phishing sites. If you see a phishing warning message on your browser, DO NOT PROCEED.



    For a safer internet banking experience, always download the latest version of your internet browser.
    The bare minimum for better browser security is:

    Internet Explorer 8/9
    Mozilla Firefox 5.0.1
    Google Chrome 13
    Apple Safari 5.1

iPhone Jailbreaking and the DMCA

Credit to : http://internetjustice.blogspot.com/2010/12/iphone-jailbreaking-and-dmca.html

By Sinny T.

   The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) was originally enacted to prohibit “circumvention” of digital rights management and “other technical protection measures” used to protect and control access to copyrighted works. The DMCA has since cast a wide net to protect copyrighted material even when the use of the copyright materials arguably may be permissible under fair use guidelines.

   In order to curtail DMCA’s overly restrictive implications, the DMCA provides that the Library of Congress possesses the power to define exceptions under the DMCA for legitimate, non-infringing uses of copyrighted material. Pursuant to this power the Librarian of Congress has recently issued a public statement declaring that it was legal to bypass a cell phone’s operating system (particularly iPhone) on the particular software it will run to get “lawfully obtained” programs to operate.

   Apple, Inc. has maintained tight control over the types of programs allowed to run on the iPhone, namely, applications (a.k.a. Apps) pre-approved by Apple and which only could be purchased through the App Store. But, with the Library of Congress’ new ruling, Apple’s ability to police and prohibit jailbroken iPhones has vanished. A jailbroken iphone allows the user to bypass the restriction Apple places on iPhones to only allow the installation of applications from the App Store.

   Here’s how the argument had developed over this issue between Apple and “jailbreakers”:

   Apple argues that it has the right to control the software on its devices and jailbroken, altered phones infringes upon Apple’s copyright for Apple’s operating system. Apple further argues that altering the phone encourages pirated applications, exposes iPhones to security risks, and hampers the user’s overall iPhone experience.

   Jailbreaking proponents, however, argue that users should be allowed to customize their phones as they see fit and to have freedom to use features or programs that fall outside of the App Store. Furthermore, allowing this ability to customize phones will in fact bolster iPhone sales and appeal when Apple would not have such a restrictive grip over its products and application store.

   The current Library of Congress ruling allows jailbreaking iPhone users a big sigh of relief as to fear of prosecution.  The ruling also alleviates any concerns about bringing a jailbroken iPhone into the Apple Store for repair or analysis.

   Although negative publicity over the leak of a secret phone prototype and iPhone 4 antenna problems have chipped away Apple’s iron control over its products, sales figures have not been impacted. Consumers continue to purchase Apple products regardless of any government ruling or unsavory publicity.

   The Library of Congress exception has also allowed artists to remix copyright-protected video content for noncommercial work, and renewed its approval for cellphone owners to “unlock” their devices in order to allow its operation under other wireless carriers.

Dodgy sex tape the least of M'sia's many problems

Credit to : http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/160118

Rajiv Nambiar
5:44PM Mar 30, 2011

   

As I write this, our nation has been recently rocked by yet another scandal.

This time around it alleges a well known politician was involved in an ‘immoral' act recorded in a room in Kuala Lumpur.

I wonder what our nation has come to, as we always seem to make world headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The world mourns the loss of lives in Japan, Libya is under attack, Yemen is on the verge of collapse and a potentially calamitous climate change is set to take place.

Yet all the attention in Malaysia is on an ‘illegally' filmed sex act which may or may not involve the said politician at all.

In the eyes of the average Malaysian, this issue has been blown out of proportion. I was on Twitter a week ago when the news of this video first came out and my immediate reaction was that ‘This is definitely going to make front page news tomorrow!'

But what's saddening is that nobody seems to look beyond a politician being involved in a sex act.

Firstly, the point that comes into mind is that the people who have exposed the video should have been arrested for possession of pornographic material under Section 292 of the Penal code.

Moreover, now that a police report has been lodged by the said politician and many have followed suit, it's important that the police carry out their duties efficiently and transparently.

To leave all this aside and to look at this whole fiasco from the average Malaysian's standpoint of view is a whole different matter.
That's where I'm coming from.

I am the average Malaysian and it bothers me to think that all the government and the media could think of since the 2008 elections only concerns the ruling coalition and the opposition.

The ‘people' has been neglected in my opinion. Let's look at the said sex clip scandal first.

The facts as we know them today are that the video was filmed in a hotel room in KL involving ‘someone' performing sex acts with a prostitute.

Now as a Malaysian, I am not concerned about the ‘someone' who was filmed in the video. I am more concerned over which hotel is it in KL that provides prostitutes to customers? Why hasn't the authorities spoken anything about this?

Prostitution is rife in KL and one only needs to go to Bukit Bintang and other places like it to assert the truth about these claims.

There are massage parlours that promotes vice in every nook and corner in KL and also everywhere around the country. Why has nothing been done to stop the spread of this? Shouldn't there be some kind of enforcement?

On a different note, my city is tainted with irresponsible and ill mannered cabbies, dirty toilets and endless amounts of potholes in and around every major road, yet all we could think of discussing about right now is about a dubious porn clip?

I am bewildered whenever I drive around KL because I get the impression that authorities are not concerned about their people at all. The Federal Highway is badly jammed all the time.

Whenever it rains, roads around KL are packed to the brim and traffic policemen are nowhere to be seen.

Public transportation is atrocious. We speak about controlling the rate of climate change, but take a drive around KL and you will know why this is unachievable if not a distant dream.

Public buses are not well maintained and we could see that every other day at least one bus breaks down in the middle of the road and thus causes traffic congestion which often stretches for hours.

So much black smoke is emitted from these buses that at times it is almost impossible to see the road while driving behind it.

What are the authorities doing?

If buses aren't bad enough, let's look at another mode of public transport - KTM Komuter. Every day during peak hours these trains are packed like sardine cans and it amazes me to think that there are people traveling on it every day!

I took a train recently after a hiatus of almost two years and I must say that nothing has changed ever since! The trains almost always arrive late and it's hot and humid inside. Illegal immigrants travel on the train like its Genting Theme Park.

Why wouldn't there be cases of pickpocketing and sexual harassment if the distance between me and the next person inside a Komuter is no further that a strand of hair?

Leaving public transportation aside, let's talk about roads. Every major road in the city is either badly laid or ridden with potholes.

It is extremely distressing to be driving under these circumstances and if potholes and bad roads aren't bad enough, these roads are also not resurfaced properly after repair work is done.

KL is filled with such roads and every day the number of such roads increases. Where is enforcement? Why has nothing been done?

What I have stated here doesn't even cover 10 percent of the actual problems that plague our country, its only an insight from a concerned Malaysian.

I am sad that all this is taking place with no action being taken about it, but whenever there is a scandal involving the ruling coalition or the opposition, it makes front page news almost immediately.

Twitter and Facebook looks like a war zone where politicians trade barbs against each other. Why can't there be a common ground when it comes to protecting the interests of the people they serve?

I love my country and I feel blessed to be a citizen of this wonderful nation. I hope politicians set their differences aside and first try to sort the problems that plague the nation rather than wasting taxpayers' money to launch a Royal Commission of Inquiry to probe a despicable porn clip.

What happens in a person's private life should remain private and shouldn't be used against him/her. It's like saying I won't listen to Ricky Martin's songs because he is gay or Bob Marley's music is bad because he is a drug addict.

If you wish to gauge a person's capability, take him on in an even battlefield where in this case it happens to be ‘politics' and ‘how to help the people'.

This way, millions need not be spent on campaigning before the General Elections because ‘we' the people already know who to vote for in the ballot box.

I urge the authorities to take into consideration the points I have raised in this letter before launching into a debate on whether there should be a Royal Commission of Inquiry to probe the authenticity of a porn clip.

There are much more pressing issues to be addressed and we are running out of time and me being the average Malaysian - is running out of patience.