By Corinne Vassallo, Melody Lu, Natalie Severson, Michael Ghormley, Stephanie Mao

Introduction to Internet Privacy Definition: internet privacy consists of privacy over the media of the Internet; the ability to control what information one reveals about oneself over the Internet, and to control who can access that information. Many people use the term to mean universal Internet privacy: every user of the Internet possessing Internet privacy Some people desire much stronger privacy. In that case, they may try to achieve Internet anonymity to ensure privacy — use of the Internet without giving any third parties the ability to link the Internet activities to personally-identifiable information of the Internet user. In order to keep your information private, people need to be careful on what they submit and look at online. When filling out forms and buying merchandise, that becomes tracked and because your information was not private, companies are now sending you spam and advertising on similar products.

Privacy measures are provided on several social networking sites to try to provide their users with protection for their personal information. On Facebook for example privacy settings are available for all registered users. The settings available on Facebook include the ability to block certain individuals from seeing your profile, the ability to choose your "friends," and the ability to limit who has access to your pictures and videos. Privacy settings are also available on other social networking sites such as E-harmony and MySpace. It is the user's prerogative to apply such settings when providing personal information on the internet. Some examples of how personal information can be released onto the internet is your IP address, and list-serves, by browsing the internet, instant messages and social networks, personal web sites and blogs, and while managing your financial accounts and online bill payments.

Background Information The topic of Internet privacy evolved when the Internet was created. Many popular social networks such as Facebook and Myspace have privacy settings so users can control what personal information they want to give out and have other users see. Milestones in Internet Privacy Case: US v. Zeigler There was much debate about the Fourth Amendment (guards against unreasonable searches and seizures) and information stored on private employees’ computers In this case, an employee went on child pornography websites during work and his employer told the FBI. Zeigler claimed that the government violated the Fourth Amendment when he was at the trial The search ended up not violating the Fourth Amendment

Hot Topic: Teachers and Myspace Another issue with Internet privacy that has caught a lot of people’s attention recently is the deal with teachers who have myspace accounts. (Michael has a story to share! Story time!!!!! Yay!!!!!!!) Apparently, teachers can get in major trouble if they have myspace accounts. Some of the penalties could be license revocations, suspensions, and being denied a teaching degree. This is pretty serious. News Flash He said that if he could create Facebook again, he would make everyone’s information public! (Article “Facebook’s Zuckerberg Says the Age of Privacy is Over” January 9, 1010)

How to Protect Your Privacy Online Complicated password- mix upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols, more than six characters, do not use any words from English language. Change your password every so often- do not share it with other people Turn internet off when you are not using it – reduces risk of viruses Anti-virus software Set your computer so that you must type in your password to wake it from sleep Install a pop-up blocker- Make sure programs installed from the internet don’t contain adware- make sure you know exactly what you are installing- Make sure you know where your computer updates are coming from (don’t install updates without knowing what they are!)

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Critiques There are critiques on both sides of the argument. Groups, such as Global Internet Liberty Campaign, argue that on-line free expression should not be limited in any form or fashion. On the other end of the spectrum there are some internet serviceproviders offering “family friendly internet” as a way for people toprotect there children from some of the information on the internetand potential privacy threats.

OPINION Follow guidelines on how to protect your privacy online- this will protect you from future civil rights violations For example: Parents in the US have accused a school of spying on children by remotely activating webcams on laptops.A couple from Pennsylvania have filed a lawsuit against a school district which gave laptops to its high school pupils.They say their son was told off by teachers for "engaging in improper behaviour in his home" and that the evidence was an image from his webcam.Lower Merion School District says it has now deactivated a tracking device installed on the laptops.It says the security feature was only used to track lost, stolen and missing laptops.But it was deactivated on Thursday and would not be re-instated without informing students and families, the district said.

Works Cited "Internet Privacy: A Public Concern." Lorrie Faith Cranor's Home Page. Web. 23 Feb "Family Values" Internet Service Provider- The Family Company. Web. 22 Feb