In today’s society the 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 any third parties the ability to link the Internet activities to personally-identifiable information (P.I.I.) of the Internet user. In order to keep their 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 the information was not private, companies are now sending Internet users spam and advertising on similar products.

There are many ways to protect individuals and their finances over the Internet, especially in dealing with investments. To ensure safety, meet with a broker in person or over the phone, to know a real person is dealing with the individual’s money. Second, ask questions. If the person on the phone seems uninterested, this is a red flag and should tell the individual that this individual is to not be trusted. Thirdly, protect all personal information. Refrain from giving out full name, address, or any other personal information that could be used to easily access your finances. Only give the information if shown that the company and the individual are legitimate. Do not ask for an e-mail with a finance statement. A written copy shows that individuals are not dealing with hackers. Lastly, investigate about the company individuals are investing with.
There are also many government groups that protect our privacy and be safe on the Internet. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stresses that protecting individual’s social security number while dealing with things on the Internet is very important. Pay attention to the trash and e-mails that are received from the Internet. Hackers can easily access these important e-mails. Make difficult passwords so not just anyone can easily access information. Verify the sources to make sure they are safe and okay to give personal information. The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) works in a partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) to help and receive criminal complaints related to the Internet. The US Department of State has a mission to reduce the crime on the Internet internationally. An example of this would be scams that happen from different countries on the Internet.
Posting things on the Internet can be harmful to individuals. The information posted on the Internet is permanent. This includes comments written on blogs, pictures, and Internet sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. It is absorbed into cyberspace and once it is posted, anyone can find it and read it. This action can come back and hurt people in the long run when applying for jobs or having someone find person information.
In today’s technological world, millions of individuals are subject to privacy threats. Companies are hired not only to watch what you visit online, but to infiltrate the information and send advertising based on your browsing history. People set up accounts for Facebook; enter bank and credit card information to various websites.
Those concerned about Internet privacy often cite a number of privacy risks — events that can compromise privacy — which may be encountered through Internet use.[14] These methods of compromise can range from the gathering of statistics on users, to more malicious acts such as the spreading of spyware and various forms of bugs (software errors) exploitation.
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 Google Plus and Twitter. It is the user's prerogative to apply such settings when providing personal information on the internet.
In late 2007 Facebook launched the Beacon program where user rental records were released on the public for friends to see. Many people were enraged by this breach in privacy, and the Lane v. Facebook, Inc. case ensued.
Children and adolescents are very susceptible to misusing the Internet and ultimately risking their privacy. There is a growing concern among parents whose children are now starting to use Facebook and other social media sites on a daily basis. Website information collection practices is another growing concern as young individuals are more vulnerable and unaware of the fact that all of their information and browsing can and may be tracked while visiting a particular site. Individuals who use the Internet have to realize that they must play a role in protecting their own privacy. They must be informed about all of the risks involved while surfing the Internet and browsing. For example, if on Twitter, threats include shortened links that lead you to potentially harmful places. When you are in your e-mail inbox threats include email scams and attachments that get you to install malware and give up personal info. If on Torrent sites the threat includes malware hiding in video, music, and software downloads, and even while using your Smartphone threats include geolocation, meaning that your phone can detect where you are and post it online for all to see. Certain measures that consumers are called to act upon include: updating virus protection, mind security settings, download patches, install firewalls, screen e-mail, shut down spyware, control cookies, deploy encryption, fend off browser hijackers, and block all pop-ups.
The main concern that most people have with the options listed above are that they have no idea how to go about doing any of these things to ensure full protection. How can the average consumer who knows nothing about all of the security settings on their computer be expected to know how to run their own network security? This is a tough issue that most people hire professionals to take care of but one that most people should learn to research more about and take the time to increase their understanding of.[17]
In 1998, the Federal Trade Commission took into account the lack of privacy of children on the Internet, which resulted in the creation of the Children Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). COPPA limits the options gather information from children and created warning labels if potential harmful information or content was presented. In 2000, CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act) was developed to implement safe Internet policies such rules, and filter software. Aside from the creation of legislation, the awareness campaigns, parental and adult supervision strategies and Internet filters are alternatives in creating a safer Internet environment for children across the world.

Laws for Internet Privacy Protection
The concept of “online privacy” is very broad and tends to cover other aspects of telecommunications and technology. The privacy concerns relate to both the misuse of certain information or the disclosure of this to others. Over the last thirty years, consumer privacy is a public issue that has received substantial attention. These rights protect individuals against the obligations by government. The growth of the Internet in general has produced new concerns about protecting the rights of consumers online. The Privacy Act prohibits the disclosure of personal information, no matter how this information is gathered. The consumers’ control and knowledge applied to on the internet come under two categories- purchasing and surfing. The legal protection law for individual privacy in the United States has been passed fairly recently, and limits the protection of data. Data collection methods have raised concerns about consumer privacy. The FTC, in their efforts to ensure success, has developed principles that would protect consumers and the information they choose to display.
USA PATRIOT Act
The purpose of this act, enacted on October 26, 2001 by former President Bush, was to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools, investigate online activity, as well as to discourage terrorist acts both within the United States and around the world. This act reduced restrictions for law enforcement to search various methods and tools of communication such as telephone, e-mail, personal records including medical and financial, as well as reducing restrictions with obtaining of foreign intelligence. Many of these expanded powers and lowered standards are not limited to terrorist investigations.
The USA PATRIOT Act, professionally known as the “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Require to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act” was put in to effect in reaction to the 9/11 Terrorist attacks. President Bush wanted to prevent terrorism in the United States and he believed that by keeping an eye on communication around the country, terrorism could be diminished. Although many people supported this law because of the September 11 attacks and the desire to keep America safe, many believe that this act interferes with civil liberties. The USA PATRIOT Act has been described as “unjustified infringement of privacy, association, and due process rights.” After the act passed, federal law enforcement now has access to additional wiretapping and surveillance.
Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA)
The Electronic Communications Privacy Act, enacted in 1986, is known as a “victory for privacy.” This act lays the boundaries for law enforcement having access to person electronic communication and stored electronic records. This includes email, pictures, date books, etc. With the enormous growth in the use of computers, many people store numerous items on servers that can ultimately be visible to many people. The ECPA protects this information from being accessed by law enforcement. There are five parts to the Act. Part I discusses the origin of the ECPA, Part II the law enforcement and the access provisions made involving electronic communication. Part II explains why this Act is needed due to the increase of personal internet use by individuals. Part IV observes the “business records cases” and pinpoints three principles. Lastly, Part V discusses ECPA’s reliance on the “business records cases” and the points against Part IV of the act.
This act makes it unlawful under certain conditions for an individual to reveal the information of electronic communication and contains a few exceptions. One clause allows the ISP to view private e-mail if the sender is suspected of attempting to damage the internet system or attempting to harm another user. Another clause allows the ISP to reveal information from a message if the sender or recipient allows to its disclosure. Finally, information containing personal information may also be revealed for a court order or law enforcement’s subpoena.
Employees and Employers Internet Regulations
When considering the rights between employees and employers regarding internet privacy and protection at a company, different states have their own laws. Connecticut and Delaware both have laws that state an employer must create a written notice or electronic message that provides understanding that they will regulate the internet traffic. By doing so, this relates to the employees that the employer will be searching and monitoring emails and internet usage. Delaware charges $100 for a violation where Connecticut charges $500 for the first violation and then $1000 for the second. When looking at public employees and employers, California and Colorado created laws that would also create legal ways in which employers controlled internet usage. The law stated that a public company or agency must create a prior message to the employees stating that accounts will be monitored. Without these laws, employers could access information through employees accounts and use them illegally. In most cases, the employer is allowed to see whatever he or she pleases because of these laws stated both publicly and privately.[116]
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB) was signed into law by U.S. President Bill Clinton and repealed part of the Glass-Stegall Act of 1933. The purpose of the legislation was to allow institutions to participate more broadly across investment banking, insurance, and commercial banking. The GLB also includes several provisions that aim to protect consumer data privacy. The Safeguards Rule, which implements the security requirements of the GLB Act, requires financial institutions to have reasonable policies and procedures to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information.
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act prohibits website operators from knowingly collecting personally identifiable information from children under 13 years old without parental consent. It requires site operators to collect only personal information that is “reasonably necessary” for an online activity. This law was put into action as an act in 1998 and took effect in 2000. Personal information that is not allowed to be obtained from children includes their full name, home or e-mail address, telephone number or social security number. This law was enacted in order to give parental control over the information collected from their children online and to know how that information is used or shared. In order to enforce this law, the FTC actively monitors websites. The FTC recommends that websites screen users if they collect personal information or if children under 13 could potentially be using the website.
Privacy Bill of Rights
On February 22, 2012 the Obama administration signed an agreement to put some new rules in place to regulate the information that can be taken from people on the Internet. Previously, companies have not been under any federal restrictions and have been basically in charge of themselves. Due to the recent uprisings about how companies, such as Facebook and Google, are using people’s information, the Obama administration felt it necessary to act. These new regulations will be a “privacy bill of rights.” And as a result, companies will have to change their privacy policies to ensure that personal information will only be used for things specifically permitted by the person giving it.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration in collaboration with certain privacy activist groups will be working to develop “codes of conduct” for companies who collect personal information. However, some people fear the that the Federal Trade Commission will not be able to enforce these “codes of conduct” due to the fact that Congress has not passed these privacy regulations to law as of yet. It does appear that companies are willing to work with the government in order to calm the uproar with online privacy currently.
It was a document that the Obama Administration created to suggest how companies should protect consumer online information. Seven different rights that are outlined in this document. The first "right" is Individual control. Companies must provide clear and easy to understand policies on how they are going to use the consumer's data. The second "right" is transparency. Companies should outline clearly why they want to collect consumer's data. The third "right" is Respect for context. It means that the firm cannot decide it wants to use data for another purpose. The fourth "right" is Security. Consumers expect that firms provide adequate protection of their data. The fifth "right" is Access and Accuracy. The consumer should able to access their personal data to make edits. The sixth "right" is Focused collection. Companies should only collect the data that they need. The last "right" is Accountability. Companies should be held accountable for lost data. This document has not become a law yet.

Spyware is a type of malware (malicious software) installed on computers that collects information about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user and can be difficult to detect. Spyware is often secretly installed on a user's personal computer without their knowledge. However, some spyware may be installed by the owner of a shared, corporate, or public computer on purpose in order to intentionally monitor users.
While the term spyware suggests software that monitors a user's computing, the functions of spyware can extend beyond simple monitoring. Spyware can collect almost any type of data, including personal information like Internet surfing habits, user logins, and bank or credit account information. Spyware can also interfere with user control of a computer by installing additional software or redirecting Web browsers. Some spyware can change computer settings, resulting in slow Internet connection speeds, un-authorized changes in browser settings or functionality of other software.
Sometimes, spyware is included along with genuine software, and may come from an official software vendor. In an attempt to increase the understanding of spyware, a more formal classification of its included software types is provided by the term privacy-invasive software. In response to the emergence of spyware, a small industry has sprung up dealing in anti-spyware software. Running anti-spyware software has become a widely recognized element of computer security practices for computers, especially those running Microsoft Windows. A number of jurisdictions have passed anti-spyware laws, which usually target any software that is surreptitiously installed to control a user's computer.

A cookie, also known as an HTTP cookie, web cookie, or browser cookie, is a piece of data stored by a website within a browser, and then subsequently sent back to the same website by the browser.[1] Cookies were designed to be a reliable mechanism for websites to remember things that a browser had done there in the past, which can include having clicked particular buttons, logging in, or having read pages on that site months or years ago.
Although cookies cannot carry viruses, and cannot install malware on the host computer, tracking cookies and especially third-party tracking cookies are commonly used as way to compile long-term records of individuals' browsing histories — a major privacy concern that prompted European and US law makers to take action.
Other kinds of cookies perform essential functions in the modern Web. Perhaps most importantly, authentication cookies are the most common method used by web servers to know whether the user is logged in or not, and which account they are logged in under. Without such a mechanism, the site would not know whether to send a page full of sensitive information, or a message saying "sorry, you need to log in". The security of an authentication cookie generally depends on the security of the issuing website and the user's web browser. If not implemented correctly, a cookie's data can be intercepted by a hacker to gain unapproved access to the user's data and possibly to the originating website.