Lately, online privacy has been a hot topic for Internet users. The Federal Trade Commission held hearings about online privacy in relation to behavioral, targeted advertising, and Facebook took a lot of heat for its Beacon platform that broadcast people’s off-site purchases to friends without their permission. But many surveys show that people don’t care as much about their privacy as the experts do. So I’m wondering: Is online privacy a big issue for you, and if so, how do you keep your information more private online? Do you clear your cookies, the identifying information that gives a trail of your web surfing? Do you use fake user names and personal information when you register at a site? How do you protect your privacy online, and how much do you care about it? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and I’ll run the best ones in a future Your Take Roundup.
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I use cookies only for the session (Firefox) except for secure sites (like my bank). I use fake names for most registrations. I use a disposable email address for many sites and a trash email for others. I do not post any identifying information. I do not participate in Facebook or MySpace. I use DropMyRights for email client and browser. I am a fanatic about keeping Windows and software patched and up-to-date. I use Noscripts.
It is a big issue for me. Personal information is property these days and I only give it when I’m convinced it will improve my quality of life. In short, I try to drive a hard bargain whenever confronted with a privacy for convenience exchange. But with so many policies being opt-in by default, it takes plenty of vigilance to even know when you’re being probed.