Tag Archives: internet

PIPA and SOPA Voting Postponed

Posted on January 23, 2012 by val| Leave a comment

Voting on the two sets of anti-piracy proposals – PIPA and SOPA – has been postponed indefinitely, the U.S. Congress reports. Last week on January 18, 2012, approximately 10,000 websites shut down as a way of showing their disapproval with these proposals that would limit free speech and allow internet censorship. At least that’s according to these sites, among which include Wikipedia, WordPress and Mozilla.

On the other side of the fence, SOPA and PIPA supporters argue that web creators need better tools that would help fight online piracy and copyright infringement. These proposals don’t come out of nowhere. They have been modified many times to reflect the needs of content creators. Initially, the proposals stated that they would have required the blocking of criminal sites, but have since removed this provision because of web content creators speaking out.

Supporters of PIPA and SOPA say that companies that participated in January 18th’s blackout are not sharing the whole story and are instead skewing the facts, which in turn is misguiding the public. These very sites that online users trust are misleading their users and encouraging them to vote against PIPA and SOPA, inevitably allowing piracy and online copyright infringement to keep occurring.

Of course, opponents fire back and say that these proposals will have many unintended consequences that will limit free speech and the internet as a whole. In fact, the whole framework that has made the internet so successful will be broken.

At this time, these online companies want Congress to take a step back, look at the proposal in depth and not rush through anything. Most importantly, they don’t want to have their websites shut down just because they’re affiliated with a site that is engaged in copyright infringement or piracy.

Voting was supposed to take place this month, but has now been placed on hold. PIPA and SOPA are not dead, but just postponed for now, as Congress works to restructure the proposal.

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Build Your Online Reputation with a Domain Name

Posted on January 5, 2012 by val| Leave a comment

The web is full of opportunities, and chances are, you’ve already taken advantage of many of them. Maybe you’ve started up your own blog or joined a social networking site. Whatever you’ve done on the internet, you have done on someone else’s platform. You have to follow their rules and agree to their terms, and at the end of the day, nothing you “own” is really yours. This is why it’s important to have a domain name.

Although getting your own domain name is a must in today’s world, many people are still without one. The main reason for this is because you have to pay for it, and why pay for something when you can get a version – a restricted, not-really-yours-version nevertheless – for free? But there are many advantages to having your own domain, and they’re all worth the cost.

First off, a domain is a larger site on the web such as Google. There are many smaller sites that are part of this domain, and users can set up blogs, post comments, status updates and photos, and have their own email accounts and documents. But at the end of the day, everything you do is on the domain that belongs to Google.

There are a few disadvantages to this, even though the platform is easy to use, easy to understand and makes you feel that you have your “own” niche on the internet. First, if you happen to violate any of the terms or agreements, you may have your account closed and you’ll lose all of your work. For bloggers, this can be damaging. Second, if you become profitable as a blogger, you will never be able to sell your blog because – well – it’s not really yours.

When you have your own domain name, you gain credibility, set your own rules (for the most part) and have the utmost flexibility. And you never have to work within the boundaries of another domain, which means you can be most profitable with your work, expanding your network and the possibilities.

Now, if you’re not an online freelancer, you’re probably thinking that domains are not necessary. But consider that many parents are actually buying their children a domain name before they’re even born. They know that we’re living in the digital age and that having this credibility is essential. By reserving a domain name from the beginning, their children can start building a healthy, reliable online reputation.

Today, domain names cost about $8 to $10, so they’re fairly inexpensive. You will pay annually for the service, but remember – it’s yours to keep.

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Tips for Repairing Your Online Reputation in 2012

Posted on January 5, 2012 by val| Leave a comment

We’re already into the first week of the New Year and you’ve probably come up with a dozen New Year’s resolutions for 2012. Eat better? Check. Exercise more? Check. Repair your online reputation? Er…check?

There’s no doubt that this should be among your top resolutions, especially as we look forward to an increase in online privacy that advocates have been fighting for over the past several years. While the government has been unable to come together and form the collective effort that we had hoped for, we are making progress. There is always the concern that if we take away online tracking completely, the foundation for the internet will collapse.

Since we are essentially always being tracked, it doesn’t take long for us to build up an online reputation. In fact, if you post a few pics of your kids and write about them in your Facebook status updates, you’ve already started building an online reputation for them.

Online reputations are not always what people want them to be. If you’ve found yourself amongst this group of people, it may be time to repair your online presence. Whether you want to move past your partying college ways or revamp your professional image, we have the tips you need.

1. Gather Information. Most people aren’t aware of their online reputation, so take ownership and search for yourself regularly on such site as Google and Yahoo.

2. Adjust Privacy Settings. No matter which social networking sites you’re using, new updates often restore the privacy settings to the default. Always make sure that your privacy settings are adjusted accordingly – and keep your account protected.

3. Think Public. Any time you tweet, post a status update or email, send it with the intention that the whole world is reading. Too often, people post a picture or something personal, only to find that they regret it later on.

4. Interact with the Internet. By commenting on blog posts or sites that matter to you, you can gain a credible reputation, share your beliefs and have more positive search rankings.

5. Buy Your Own Domain Name. Instead of operating underneath someone else’s platform, start your own domain name. It gives you credibility and allows you to build the reputation you want, without having to go by someone else’s rules.

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What Does Your Online Reputation Say About You?

Posted on August 21, 2011 by val| Leave a comment

Reputations – they’re not just for high school anymore. In fact, anyone can have a new type of reputation: An online reputation.

Basically, an online reputation is what the Internet has to say about you. It’s something that evolves from your online presence and is very much controlled by you and others. Your online reputation is gained from such things as status updates, comments, photos and videos and blogs.

You may already know what your online reputation is. Perhaps you manage a mommy blog, write about parenting and post status updates about your kids. Your online reputation would be that: A proud mom.

Your teen may have an online reputation, too. Maybe one that he or she doesn’t want you to know about!

To know what your online reputation is, type your name into several popular search engines. See what types of things come up. You may have to do several searches, such as putting pertinent information in quotes, adding the city you live in or spelling your name in various ways.

Once you’ve collected this information, decide: Does the Internet paint an accurate portrait of you? If no, what should be corrected or deleted? Sometimes things get posted on the Internet that are out of your control, which is why it’s important to monitor your online presence.

Most importantly, just like you would protect your high school reputation, protect your online reputation. In fact, this reputation is even more important, as it doesn’t ever go away. While you can make modifications, people that don’t know you can form fast opinions. And this could come into play as you apply for a new job or involve yourself in activities.

If you’re looking to increase your online reputation, a blog is the best way to do this. Write clearly and professionally, use high quality images and invite others to comment. This lays the groundwork for a reputation that you can own.

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Is Online Privacy Simply a Generation Gap?

Posted on July 31, 2011 by val| Leave a comment

When talking about online privacy, it seems as if the younger generation is unphased by the issue. Older online users are generally more unsettled about the idea of having their online usage tracked and information available on the web for all to see. But is this really the case?

Actually, no.

Data shows that the 18-24 age group is the one that cares most about how their information is used and what types of advertisements and news are delivered to them. Studies even show that 66% of teens use privacy controls on their Facebook profiles. These settings allow users to control what types of information others can see about them online.

So while many young adults and teens may be sending the message that online privacy is something that no longer exists, they are also the age group that is most conscientious about the issue.

Why?

My take on the situation is that online privacy has been accepted in our culture, especially in the younger generations. It basically goes without saying that when you hop online, your information will be tracked, behavioral advertising takes place and online privacy is compromised.

Yet even though this is accepted as a routine part of using the web, doesn’t meant that users don’t care. That is why when new tools are offered, it’s the younger age groups that take advantage of the tools to protect their online privacy.

Furthermore, it’s becoming more obvious that once posted, it can never be deleted, so young people are taking a stand against online tracking. In order to protect their online identity from employers, colleges, coaches and colleagues, they protect what they can, when they can.

Although online privacy is something that is lost when using the web, new tools are helping users of all ages gain control.

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Regaining Your Online Privacy

Posted on July 17, 2011 by val| Leave a comment

There was a time, not that long ago, when you would get excited to “google” your name. “Hey, I found myself online!” you would say, but that was only the beginning of a much larger virtual world.

Today, just about anyone can do a simple search on themselves and within minutes, have a full name, address and street view of the home. Your Facebook or Twitter profile will come up, as well as photos or videos you’ve posted. Basically, anything you’ve done online will show up online, and there’s really no going back.

This transformation has happened quick and many people are starting to wonder if there’s any way to regain control of their online privacy again.

The unfortunate fact is that once things are posted in the virtual world, they’re very hard to retract. And some people have found this out the hard way. What lawmakers are trying to restructure is more options for online users to opt out of having their information tracked and used on public websites.

For example, online address books like Spokeo include plenty of information about people, from where they live to the price they paid for their house. And while there are ways to opt out of many of these services, they can be long and extensive processes. Some for example, require that you list all of your personal information, send it the company and then request to have the information removed.

The Do Not Track bill is just one of the many options that online users may have, as they will be able to opt out of having their browsing history and online usage tracked. In the meantime, it’s recommended that you think about everything you post online such as photos, videos, even status updates. Do searches on yourself every so often, and when it comes to public databases and address books, request that your information be removed.

The more proactive you can be about what goes on the internet, the more you can protect your online privacy.

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Are Kid Social Media Sites Safe?

Posted on July 3, 2011 by val| Leave a comment

Although Facebook gets most of the attention, there are dozens of other social networking sites out there. Many of these sites are designed specifically for kids, some as young as 6 . These kid-friendly sites are better for kids than Facebook or Twitter, as they’re made for the youngest online users and follow a strict set of rules that offer a safer environment.

These sites are COPPA-compliant, meaning they can only use information in a certain context and must post how/why they plan to use it. For example, some sites will collect the child’s name and email and enter them in contests. These sites, including Everloop and Togetherville, allow kids to create profiles, chat with friends, play games and upload media. To make the sites safer for kids, many offer small sectors that kids exist in, so they only interact with those they know.

Once your child hits 13 however, social media sites can collect information. And, 13 is the age that kids can sign up for Facebook, so the parents of young teens start to worry about how their children’s information will be used and collected online. In fact, many parents are most concerned about these early teen years, when there’s really nothing protecting kids, who still tend to make poor choices about the online information they post.

For now, kid-friendly social media sites are safe and work hard to set firm rules in place that protect the online privacy of its youngest users. And with the FTC and COPPA, there is added protection for kids. Best of all, it allows children to dabble in the online world, which is a regular part of life. These sites ensure that it’s safe for kids to test the waters without jeopardizing their safety.

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Cloud Computing and Its Impact on Online Privacy

Posted on July 3, 2011 by val| Leave a comment

Cloud computing is an IT term that is used to describe the Internet, in a metaphorical sense. Basically, when you use the computer, the software, processing and storage resources get lost in the cloud, somewhere out there instead of directly on your computer.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to the cloud, especially as we become more dependent on it. For example, consider the social networking site Facebook. When you upload a picture or video to Facebook, it falls under the ownership of the social media site. There’s no way to permanently delete the media or retrieve your information. So, with the Internet cloud, we lose control of the information we post.

When referring to the cloud, we can also use it to describe third-parties that exist on the Internet. If you post a picture on Google for example, a third-party could use the photo for marketing purposes and you may find your family’s picture on a billboard for a vacation company.

There are some upsides to cloud computing, but they exist more for businesses than the average computer user. For example, Amazon started the cloud computing trend back in 2006, when they allowed other businesses to use their services, while they maintained them. This gave companies the opportunity to have their business managed for less, while Amazon had money invested in their infrastructure.

Although advocates stand strong for online privacy and more rights regarding the information users post, we have to remember that all of these sites are free. Their services and social tools are a great way to keep in touch with the world, while not paying a dime . The trade-off is giving up some of our rights as users, such as letting Facebook and Twitter have ownership to the information and media we post.

What are your thoughts? Is cloud computing harmful, or just another way to enjoy the Internet for free?

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When Your Online Identity Becomes Compromised

Posted on June 12, 2011 by val| Leave a comment

At Privacy Council, we discuss a lot about preventing identity theft and protecting online privacy, but what happens if your personal information has already been compromised? Whether accidentally or on purpose, it’s not hard for your online privacy to be stolen or tampered with if you haven’t been taking the necessary precautions.

With the access to information online, there are many instances where information gets into the wrong hands or hacks are performed on the systems of large companies. This doesn’t necessarily mean that your information will be used against you, but it does mean your identity is compromised.

Here’s what to do if your online privacy has been invaded:

1. Close accounts and credit cards that are compromised. Or, talk to your institution and discuss how you should handle an account that may become compromised. As a precaution, most institutions will have their customers change their password and monitor the account for fraud.

2. Change passwords on online programs such as email or bank accounts. Avoid using the same sequence of numbers, the last four digits of your SSN or your mother’s maiden name. Be creative and switch up the passwords. Also change them on a regular basis.

3. Place a fraud alert on your credit card report. This will last for 90 days. Also be sure to monitor your reports for any non-authorized transactions.

4. Notify friends and family not to open any emails from you that look strange. If a hacker has gotten into your personal information, spam emails may be sent to everyone in your online address book.

5. If necessary, file a report with the police. This is a necessary step in fighting for your rights, as identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes and one that you should be protected against.

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Should You Post Your Kids’ Photos Online?

Posted on April 26, 2011 by val| Leave a comment

It’s a topic most of us don’t think about: Posting our kids’ pictures online. After all, our kids are the cutest and we want the world to know. How many times have you uploaded pics to Facebook or Twitter, then checked back to read all the comments? With the internet, parents finally have the chance to show off their kids to anyone and everyone – key word: Everyone.

Indeed, parents are becoming more cautious about posting too much information about their kids online, as identity theft against children is one of the fastest growing crimes. But what harm can a few photos do when all you want is to show off those adorable faces?

The ugly truth is that pedophiles and criminals have access to this information and while they won’t hunt your children down, they can store the photos on their own computer. No parent would want their child’s photo to be used as eye candy for a pedophile.

In addition, some stories have surfaced regarding online photos and how they’ve been reproduced without consent. This happens because anyone can get a hold of the pictures and use them to market with, such as a family in the US who heard their holiday picture was being used as an advertisement for a grocery store in Czech. Another girl found her photo being used for a Virgin Mobile ad in another country.

That’s not to say that you can’t post pics for your friends and family to see. However, there are a few precautions to take to ensure the safety of your children and their photographs. Use protected sites that you control and require passwords for others to access your kids’ pics. Only give the password to those you know and trust.

Also, always read the Terms and Conditions to see how your photographs could be used and add a digital watermark to avoid the risk that your pictures will be copied and used by others. Make sure that friends and family also follow the same precautions and don’t share your child’s information with others.

Image c/o digitaltrends.com

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