Premium Essay

Privacy and the Internet

In:

Submitted By pershell
Words 2284
Pages 10
-------------------------------------------------
Privacy and the impact of the internet
Assignment #4
June 20, 2014 June 20, 2014

Privacy Rights

Federally and provincially there are laws set out to protect our rights as individuals. Privacy is a right not a privilege.
Privacy and Governments in Canada
The 1983 federal Privacy Act puts limits and obligations on over 150 federal government departments and agencies on the collection, use and disclosure of personal information. It also gives Canadians the right to find out what personal information the federal government has about them by making a formal request under the Privacy Act. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has the authority to investigate complaints.
The governments of all provinces and territories in Canada also have privacy offices and laws governing the collection, use and disclosure of personal information. The legislation varies from province to province, but the general right to access and correct personal information exists in all, and each has a commissioner or ombudsman who is authorized to handle complaints.
In Ontario we have the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) Governed and enforces by the Information and Privacy Commissioner Ontario, Canada.
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) protect the privacy of individuals with respect to their personal information held by provincial and local government organizations.
We also have in Ontario the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) protects the privacy of individuals with respect to their personal health information held by health information custodians. It is the responsibility of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) to ensure that government

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Internet Privacy

...Internet Privacy Abstract As more and more people continue to use the Internet and disclose their personal information, privacy concerns are paramount. Marketing companies are fiercely competing for their share of the booming e-commerce industry estimated at 75 billion dollars in 2010. Government agencies after 9/11 are using personal communications such as e-mail and social networking sites to scrutinize and evaluate potential threats to the United States. Legislation including the Patriot Act has empowered a new generation of public officials with information gathering capabilities on demand. In some cases a court order is not needed to inspect all of a person’s electronic communications. Exploitation of highly sensitive personal information is a reality as companies routinely sell this information to third parties without an individual’s consent. Opting out is a disclaimer written into privacy statements on websites that are often buried in the fine print. Many Americans assume that privacy is included in the operating system they purchase. It is the collating of personal information from multiple data sources on the Internet that remains a key point of contention among those who view privacy as fundamental American right implicit in the Constitution. In this sense, privacy is deeply personal to the dignity and respect of our society. Yet, the relevance of security issues must seek a balance and address the notion of the possibility of abuse. One significant...

Words: 4923 - Pages: 20

Free Essay

Internet Privacy

...Internet Privacy XBIS/219 January 13, 2012 In society today, almost all individuals have used the internet for shopping, work, college and some use the internet just to pay bills. Most people use the internet as it is a convenient way of getting tasks done on time. Although using the internet is convenient, there are high risks of fraud and privacy invasion. Using the internet at home I feel more secure than using the internet at work or in a public place such as library or school. At home I feel more secure as I have passwords to protect my personal information and also anti-virus to protect my computer from viruses. At work I do not like to use the internet as my personal information can be accessed other employees that it privacy invasion. Using the internet anywhere can be a risky knowing that there are people that can hack into your personal information and steal your identity for other purposes. Included in these risks are also Wi-Fi zones and all other public areas that are not secure. Using Wi-Fi is extremely at high risk regarding that an individual is possibly using their neighbor’s internet. In some instances your neighbor may be ok with letting someone use their service as some neighbor’s may not know at all...

Words: 255 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Internet Privacy

...Internet privacy xbis / 219 may 18, 2013 Internet Privacy My expectations of using the internet in different settings differ depending on the setting. When I am at home using the internet I would except to have a higher level of security and Privacy. I have developed my own network at home so that I have good security on my network And on the information that is on my computer. I have personal things on them that I do not want Other people to have access to. Using the internet in a public setting such as a library or public café or using a wireless Hotspot in the same setting, my expectations are much lower. I do not know anything about the Security settings on these networks, so I would not look up personal information there. Many People are connected to these networks at the same time as I would be, and there are people out There that could easily get to your personal information. With these networks, no one should Assume that they are getting privacy, and/or good security on the pages that they are visiting. I have a neighbor that does not secure their wireless network and I could easily use their Network. By not securing their network they could easily set themselves up for someone hacking Their computers. I do not believe it is legal, or ethical to use another person’s wireless network Without getting permission. This is the same as stealing from your neighbor, because they are Paying for those services. I would not want anyone hacking...

Words: 314 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Internet Privacy

...subject of internet privacy is a very well-known and explosive subject. Internet privacy involves the right or mandate of personal privacy concerning the storing, repurposing, providing to third-parties, and displaying of information pertaining to oneself via the Internet. Internet privacy involves the right or mandate of personal privacy concerning the storing, repurposing, providing to third-parties, and displaying of information pertaining to oneself via the Internet. Privacy can entail both Personally Identifying Information (PII) and non-PII information such as a site visitor's behavior on a website. PII refers to any information that can be used to identify an individual. For example, age and physical address alone could identify who an individual is without explicitly disclosing their name, as these two factors are unique enough to typically identify a specific person. People with only a casual concern for Internet privacy need not achieve total anonymity. Internet users may protect their privacy through controlled disclosure of personal information. The revelation of IP addresses, non-personally-identifiable profiling, and similar information might become acceptable trade-offs for the convenience that users could otherwise lose using the workarounds needed to suppress such details rigorously. On the other hand, 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...

Words: 3257 - Pages: 14

Free Essay

Internet Privacy

...Internet Privacy The expectations I have towards internet privacy differs depending on where the user is accessing the Internet from. If the user is accessing the internet at home, on his or hers private network computer, I do not believe there is no reason for Internet privacy with the exception of outside hacking from the public. In the modern world we live in, we have notice an increase of identify theft through the Internet and this is the only caution I suggest people should consider. Taking the necessary tools to ensure your privacy is not interfered from the public will on the Internet can be simply by securing your internet connection through your internet provider. In a work setting the internet privacy should be in favor of the corporation and not the employee or person accessing the web. I think monitoring controls should be used. I think a work setting is for employees to conduct work tasks and unrelated internet usage should be screen and controlled by the employer. I do not think there should be any privacy when someone is accessing internet at work and the employee should be made aware of the policy from the beginning. I have a different view about the public setting such as a library. I think a library is a place that someone in the community can go to access information and research. Especially if they are members, the public library should install software and controls to allow the users access to the web with privacy rights. Using the neighbors wireless...

Words: 314 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Internet Privacy

...Internet Privacy Deborah Elser XBIS/219 BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS March 31, 2010 Veronica Sims My expectations for Internet privacy differ greatly depending on where I am using the Internet. When at home, I know who is using my computer and who has access to the Internet. When I am on the Internet, I use what I believe to be secure websites. I pay my bills online and use the various companies secure sites. I expect these companies to use my information that I provide to pay the bill and for nothing else. I have not allowed these companies to take my information and sell it. These company sites guarantee that my information is protected. I do not open e-mails from unknown senders and I do not go to questionable sites. I have security measures in place on my computer; firewalls and antivirus software that I update regularly. My administrative laptop that I use at work is for work related e-mails and Internet use only. My expectations for Internet privacy on-the-job are strictly work related. I know that I do not go outside of the parameters, so there is no problem. I know that my email account for work is protected, as I work, indirectly, for a government agency. I do not use library computers or go to Wi-Fi zones, but if I did, I would know to be careful and only access sites that I know are secure. I also would not be free with my personal information. I personally, do not trust using these public computers. I have used the computers at the campus...

Words: 402 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Internet Privacy

...Internet Privacy Amanda Rheaume XBIS/219 May 11, 2012 Internet Privacy Should you walk up to any random person in today’s society and ask them how much they do online many if not most would say that they do a lot. Most of the uses for the internet now a day include shopping, work (both business and personal), schooling and bill paying. The reason people use the internet so much is mainly convenience purposes. It allows them to do what needs to be done when it works best for them, For example should a person work an evening job and get out when everything is closed they can go home and do just about everything they need to do. However with every positive there are negatives. In the case of using the internet there are much higher risks of both fraud and privacy invasion such as identity theft. Of course you may be thinking that accessing your information at home is safer because only the people you know have access to it. When in actuality any place you try to access the internet is considered to be risky. One major internet item that is considered extremely risky is Wi-Fi Zones. This is because anyone within that given zone can hack into their neighbor’s internet connection(s) and access their information. While some people may be ok with this the majority are not (Rainer &Turban, 2009). For example I allow my grandmother who lives in my downstairs apartment to share off my Wi-Fi where as my neighbor in the next house would not have permission, but they still have...

Words: 332 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Internet Privacy

...Internet privacy Concerns about privacy on the Internet are becoming a subject of international controversy. Citizens are concerned that the most intimate details of their daily lives are being monitored, searched and searched. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica 81 percent of Internet users are concerned about threats to their privacy while online. With today's increasing use of computers and the Internet has a new world knows cyberspace has taken shape. This electronic environment does not obey the same rules as the physical environment in which we live. People have now to access opportunity an infinite series of information or to communicate with people on the ground or in space. The technology of this world is moving to a deep rhythm and it seems like something revolutionary is being implemented all the time. But along with this innovative technology in a world of few regulations, see many opportunities for violation of user rights that have been implemented in the real world. Internet and Computers are more than tools to access this medium between users and the massive amounts of information available. A survey conducted by Business Week in March 1999 showed that 57 percent of respondents said the government should pass laws that modify how personal information may be collected and used on the Internet. The effort to pass comprehensive legislation privacy in the United States has been disturbed by the fact that those who enjoy privacy...

Words: 619 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Internet Privacy

...Internet Privacy XBIS 219 Internet Privacy To Whom It May Concern: This email addresses internet privacy and security in the workplace as well as at home. When using the internet it is very important to ensure that all steps are being taken to ensure that information is safe guarded and protected. At home as well as in the workplace, anti-virus software can be used to ensure that people are not potentially hacking into someone’s personal information. Technology ethics in the workplace can be a big issue. Information that is meant for certain parties can be accessed by people that it is not intended for if precautions are not taken to ensure that information is locked away and accessible only by those that need access to it. Privacy in the home and privacy in the workplace is definitely two different perspectives. At home one might have the luxury of locking their computer off to anyone and making sure that important information is not left lying around for anyone to see. However there is always a chance of someone stealing the computer or the information, and that could be detrimental, depending on what that information was and what it was used for. Now in the workplace privacy is a little more secure, however there are downfalls to the workplace as well. Employees can walk past and hear you discussing private and personal information, also if you have a desk and you leave it unlocked, there is a chance someone can go looking through it. Wi-Fi...

Words: 347 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Internet Privacy

...Internet Privacy (Check Point) My expectation for internet privacy has always been skeptical for home, work and especially public places. My reasoning may rely on the fact I know several people who are IT specialist and listening to their stories are quite frightening. Even though I know these hackers can get into my accounts I am guilty when it comes to shopping and paying bills online. The growth of social networking has to be the easiest way to your identity stolen or any public information about you out there. The worst thing is we are just pouring this information out there, and it only takes seconds for it to go global. The only thing I really do is change our passwords frequently and make sure we have the best firewall protection. At work my computer is regulated and many sites are prohibited and blocked. I don’t blame them or complain about it; I feel they have the right to protect their company. We were hired to work no to be surfing or playing games. Public computers are a scary thought. When using them need to be extra careful who is around you, need to make sure you log off completely. My opinion using someone else’s WI-FI signal is not a crime. Most places offer and even advertise they have WI-FI available. I do not have a problem allowing my friends or whoever is near to hook up as long as they are not abusing or doing anything illegal. I am sure the cable companies are not happy and believe it is unethical, since they are losing...

Words: 270 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Internet Privacy

...information via communication systems and the Internet varies in degrees based off the source of bandwidth. When stationed at home, on a private and secure network, where users have the capacity to run multiple spyware updates to ensure personal security, information security is most seamless due to fewer cybercriminals and a more controlled environment. It is also safe to say that users have a better idea of search history, which gives peace of mind knowing that a previous unknown user has not activated a virus that can tunnel even the most encrypted information. In the workplace, conduct should be carried out differently when using the Internet. Ethics should be applied in a professional manner. Employee monitoring systems should be enacted to ensure this transpires. So, even if penetration tests have been run to certify a strong network and communication system, it is the moral duty of the user to be accountable and responsible not to jeopardize its security. In regards to another setting, public web browsing, caution should be exercised even when it claims to be a secure network. Due to the frequency of multiple users utilizing the same network, identity theft has the potential to be carried out even on websites with the combination of secure socket layers and strength of personal passwords. Hackers have the ability to either run screen scraper software or keylog until they receive the information they are looking for. The Internet is parallels a lot of common sense decision...

Words: 364 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Internet Privacy and Security

...Abstract Have you ever bought anything on the Internet with your credit or debit card? Do you think other people wouldn't like to buy things with your cards, too? Have you ever given out personal information to register for a contest or special event on the Web? If so, beware. In this paper, I will attempt to explore various privacy and security concerns facing both businesses and consumers when they take part in electronic commerce. Although the Internet offers a wonderful social, personal, and business opportunity, it is also laden with hackers, plotters, and schemers. This paper will examine some of the challenges posed by these shady individuals and look at measures Internet users can take to avoid becoming their victims. To survive in today’s highly competitive business environment, successful E-businesses must market their products and services to individuals or other businesses that are “willing and able” to purchase their offerings. To assist them in identifying and targeting specific market segments, companies are now using data mining techniques to examine their databases looking for trends, relationships, and outcomes to enhance their overall operations. These databases, containing detailed consumer information, can be valuable resources for the companies that use them. They can help businesses to better understand the needs of their customers so they can react to the customer’s needs faster. Businesses can also utilize this information to cut production...

Words: 941 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Security and Privacy on the Internet

...Security and Privacy on the Internet There are a lot of articles in the newspapers these days about databases hacked, personal information stolen, bank accounts “cleaned out”, or credit cards erroneously charged. When it comes to security and privacy on the Internet, how well does the system protect the public? Are certificate based security protocols as safe as one is lead to believe? Will modifying the Internet Explorer’s settings provide adequate privacy? As the “tech” world evolves and smart phones and other wireless devices become the norm, how secure are the Wi-Fi networks? Part of the problem is the technology is moving so fast, the rules cannot even keep up. Encryption is considered one of the better ways to help keep personal information secure, and give the user a “warm fuzzy” when the closed lock is displayed. Mr. Miguel Helft, New York Times, expresses a concern with the certificates issued by a third-party organization to guarantee a websites authenticity. According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, more than 650 organizations can issue certificates used by Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Mozilla’s Firefox for encryption. These organizations are located across the globe, like Russia and China which are suspected of internal public surveillance, and raise the question if the issuing organization is misusing certificates to eavesdrop on internet activity. Peter Eckersley, a senior staff technologist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, tells of...

Words: 1110 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Internet Privacy Checkpoint

...Internet Privacy CheckPoint UoPX University of Phoenix XBIS/219 Internet Privacy CheckPoint Internet privacy expectations change depending on the situation and setting. While at home, privacy concerns are rare; I know every piece of equipment that is accessing my network and information. Unlike the access provided at work, I am the administrator of my home network and control every aspect of it from logging in to disconnecting. At work, the access may be safeguarded from outside eavesdropping, however; company policy on its access usually comes with a lengthy privacy clause that includes willing privacy invasion to protect the integrity of the company from its own employees. A corporate network may have more private information transferred across it, and the end-user employee usually has no say in how this information is used. Internet privacy at work is almost entirely up to the business who owns the network to determine what is secured and how. Public networks are just that, public. It is free domain for any person to connect just about any device. It is usually not administrated closely by the public network owner and would be considered the least secure form of access. The legality of using someone else’s wireless Internet signal depends on the location, situation, and how it was used. In the State of Florida where I reside, people have been fined and in some cases charged criminally for using an open wireless access point that was not advertised as a “free”...

Words: 341 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

The Importance Of Internet Privacy

...In the modern world, our privacy is constantly being violated without our consent. This is due to information that is easily available. Whether you’re walking down the street, taking the subway, purchasing online items or in a store, chatting online, we are constantly under someone’s watch. Hacking, picture leaks and theft of private information are becoming recurrent issues in the 21st century. Some believe this may not be an issue but others are concerned with the impact it could have on our lives. The twentieth century was particularly marked by the growth of the Internet and the rise of social media programs. This has raised the population’s awareness about their privacy rights. A lot of information can be found online including credit...

Words: 1336 - Pages: 6