Internet Privacy --private individual - Essay Example

At any rate, it is important for people today to have Internet access to gain an advantage in their lives and perform better at work. However, a consequent and perhaps inevitable problem with this increased Internet usage is the issue of Internet security. Hacking is a persistent problem these days, in addition to malware or harmful viruses spread over the Internet that destroys files or programs, but the problem of hacking has gained big proportions due to its seriousness. Many people have suffered untold misery due to their sensitive personal information getting hacked like in cases of identity theft.

Sensitive personal data are stolen and used maliciously by some individuals who have no qualms about destroying the lives of other people. In this regard, this paper discusses and tackles the important issues involved in Internet privacy of individuals. a) Background – the rapid spread of Internet use due to lower broadband connections had led to problems regarding the issue of privacy and security in the Web space (Hora, 2008:91). Incidents of identity thefts are on the rise, despite the development in Internet security Style and modus of Internet hackers had also evolved markedly (Poulsen, 2012:5).

Rise of Internet-enabled transactions such as Web 2.0 increased hacking opportunities People need to be more aware and better educated on how to protect themselves while online against malicious software and equally malicious people out to get their data b) Thesis – people can better protect themselves if they are made aware of the dangers of data falling into the wrong hands, especially in the sensitive areas on their personal lives such as banking, personal communications, school records, and finally, confidential medical records.

Awareness of the security risks enables people to take certain precautionary measures while they are on-line to protect against cyber-criminals. Among the more common crimes are on identity theft, digital piracy of copyrighted works (songs, films, books, etc.), pornography, in human trafficking, illegal drugs on sale, illicit firearms sold, and Internet gambling syndicates (Jaishankar, 2011:53). However, a focus of this paper is on banking-related on-line crimes causing at least 60% of all Internet crimes in terms of costs (Crescenzo & Rubin, 2006:36).

Discussion (Main body) The bulk of Internet crimes are those related to financial transactions, such as those using the new digital technologies to transmit and receive monetary credits to bank accounts. Experts are of the opinion most of these crimes were committed by insiders, or people who had the needed access to penetrate the security barriers because they are authorized to do so. a) Emerging technologies - encourage more people to do their financial transactions on-line. E-services are now more prevalent than ever with new Web sites put up everyday Mobile commerce transactions are also on the rise due to new mobile applications Cyber payment systems now allow people to pay bills on-line faster and conveniently Digital banking (both mobile and Internet-based) allow people to move their funds b) Digital presence with existence of a Web site –