Providing personal information is necessary in our society, but everyone gives this information with the expectation that it will remain confidential. Information, however, is the hot commodity of the 90s, and it is for sale. Those selling information are not necessarily concerned with its accuracy. Several Internet directories provide names, addresses, e-mail addresses, phone numbers and even maps showing the exact location of an address. People Search .
Electronic information is gathered through cookies, log files, and online registration forms.
In the last few years e-mail has become a convenient way to communicate. But this convenience comes with a price. Unless some form of security system, such as encryption, is used the bits and bytes of e-mail message whirling around in cyberspace are there for whomever wants to take a look. Newsgroups and visits to chat rooms are other Internet activities that can put your privacy in jeopardy. Even when one does not make postings or get involved in chat room conversations, information that the site has been visited is left behind.