In his feature article in the April issue of HomePC, Eckhouse points out that in most cases, cookies are helpful, time-saving tools. They can, however, be used to gather information about visitors to Web sites and that information can then be sold to other companies. Cookies aren't the only way companies and people can learn intimate details about individuals over the net. Even those who have never logged on to a computer are vulnerable. According to Eckhouse, there's a startling amount of information on the net about non-surfers.
Children are another target for data collection.
It's even easier to get the lowdown on a regular Net user. To test how simple it is to gather highly personal information online, Eckhouse began with the e-mail address of someone with whom he had communicated just a few times. Other options for collecting information about an individual include hiring a cyber-sleuth. Within 24 hours, I received my e-mail pal's social security number, and every home address he's had since 1977. A stalker might even use information about you to harass you online or in person.