Security & Privacy

Security & Privacy: Hacking into corporate networks and the spread of computer viruses has risen proportionally with the increase in Internet use. Some information is "shared" unexpectedly as email messages are forwarded to people you may not intend. Is there privacy in an online world? What kind of information is safe to share over the Internet?

In this virtual world, we are among the most intellect of internet users or netizen by spending hours every week online. We spend most of the time on shopping, banking, and getting up-to date with news. Besides that, we surfing the internet as the major source to homework problems, gaming, and socializing with peers. Social networking like web sites, blogs and instant messaging are very popular among the user and both pose some special privacy issues. Social networking sites such as MySpace, Friendster, Tagged, YouTube, and Facebook provide a place for us to get together online with existing and new friends.

Computer technology nowadays is sophisticated and so are online threats. Although there is privacy policies that will protect computer’s internet account, but intrusion still can happen and hacking into the system. So, it can be said that there is not much privacy in an online world. Every time when we connected to the internet or network and begin communicating with others, we are taking and exposed to a risk. Risk here from the aspect of the spreading of virus into the computer or hackers that may collect, copy, misuse and sell our personal information on something else without our knowledge. Therefore, we should be aware with what kind of information that should or shouldn’t be putting when we are networking.


Privacy statement is the most important part or tools that we can used so as to protect our privacy information when we are online. Basic security measures involve protection by well selected passwords, change of file permissions and back up of computer's data. Thus, it is recommended that we as the user to avoid ourselves from giving any information about ourselves to any website that did not provide or post any privacy statement that will protect our information from loss, misuse, or alteration.

Those information that can be used in social networking site, it is strongly reminded for not to provide personal information. Personal information are likes our real name, birthday, age, location, addresses, phone numbers and etc. Alongside, it is suggested that we just use and put our nickname and unimportant information in the website like hobbies, favorite movies and etc. Moreover, we also have to make sure for setting our page to private and limit access to invited friends only. When trying to come up with a secure password, don’t use things like our child’s name and birthday, or anything that could be easily guessed. It’s important to remember to not use the same password for everything. In addition, we have to keep away from internet strangers, no matter what they tell us because we don’t know who really they are.

As a conclusion, as a netizen should have the cautions or awareness on privacy and security online. Keep using social networking sites to connect with our friends and family in order to have or looking some fun because that’s what these sites are meant for. But do so in a way that is safe for everyone.