No Name Online

Description: This provocative book offers a probing account of the erosion of privacy in American society, that shows that we are often unwitting, if willing, accomplices, providing personal data in exchange for security or convenience. The author reveals that in today’s “information society,” the personal data that we make available to virtually any organization for virtually any purpose is apt to surface elsewhere, applied to utterly different purposes. The mass collection and processing of personal information produces such tremendous efficiencies that both the public and private sector feel justified in pushing as far as they can into our private lives. And there is no easy cure. Indeed, there are many cases where privacy invasion is both hurtful to the individual and indispensable to an organization’s quest for efficiency. And as long as we willingly accept the pursuit of profit, or the reduction of crime, or cutting government costs as sufficient reason for intensified scrutiny over our lives, then privacy will remain endangered.

• Author: James B. Rule
• Binding: Paperback
• EAN: 9780195394368
• ISBN: 0195394364
• ItemDimensions:
• Label: Oxford University Press, USA
• Languages:
• ListPrice:
• Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
• NumberOfItems: 1
• NumberOfPages: 256
• PackageDimensions:
• ProductGroup: Book
• ProductTypeName: ABIS_BOOK
• PublicationDate: 2009-11-11
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• SKU: ACOMMP2_book_usedverygood_0195394364
• Studio: Oxford University Press, USA
• Title: Privacy in Peril: How We Are Sacrificing a Fundamental Right in Exchange for Security and Convenience

The ability of web surfers to conceal their identity through the use of a web proxy as a matter of privacy right and as a precautionary measure against spamming has become a raging issue between Internet anonymity advocates and detractors. The information concealed involves not only those that pertain to the user such as email and physical address but it includes as well information about his computer such as its configuration, the name and version of its operating system, name and version of the browser, who the Internet provider is and the geographical location of the computer. In today’s modern world, anonymizing a web surfer is both a boon and a bane depending on which side of the fence you are standing.

One of the most common ways to acquire Internet anonymity is through the use of an anonymous proxy. When a you connect to a website URL, your computer sends a request and the website server replies on the information it needs so that it will know which web pages it can open for you. One of the vital information that need to be sent to the website server is the unique IP address assigned to the you. From this piece of information, the web server will be able to determine your identity and location. A proxy acts as a go-between between your computer and that of the server of the website that you want to visit. If you wish to browse a website, all you have to do is connect to a web proxy, which in turn, will connect to the website and instead of sending your IP address to that site, the proxy will use its own IP address in requesting for files. By surfing the Internet incognito, the user takes away the ability of any web master to trace personal information and web activity back to the user.

Anonymity advocates maintain that it safeguards the right to free speech on the Internet because it allows the expression of ideas and opinions without fear of ridicule, harassment, threats or retaliation. This is true in forums or blogs where online discussion on sensitive topics or personal questions take place and the participants do not want to reveal their identity. The possibility of tracing web activities back to the user deters the submission of eye-witness reports on illegal activities through the Internet. The same is true in legal and medical forums where attorneys or doctors will not be able to candidily answer questions from clients and patients with similar legal or medical cases out of fear of being charged for violation of the doctor to patient or client to lawyer confidentiality.

Detractors on the other hand, argue that it promotes criminal behavior and protects illegal activities on the Net such as spamming, issuance of hate letters and threats. Moreover, sexual predators who hide behind the cloak of anonymity use Internet forums and social networks as a hunting ground for prey.

As time passes, our society continues to evolve. One would believe that evolution of any kind would move us forward into an age of reason where we become more civilized. Unfortunately, we still have to deal with corporations in the United States that are run by corrupt individuals in a position of power whom scare employees into inaction.

Many fear reprisal for speaking up and despite the advancement of our society as a whole we still have to rely on anonymous messaging in order to communicate appropriately.

It’s a sad state when an employee is being sexually harassed, and they (as well as the others who know about it) are fearful of even reporting the incident to human resources or other members of management.

What’s worse is when employees have to fear for the security of their job because of -any- incident in the workplace.

Indeed it’s sad, but having access to an anonymous messaging service does grant the ability for an employee to do what’s right – what’s morally and ethically proper – and report on the incidents that are occurring in the workplace.

Should I Report My Boss For Sexual Harassment?

The appropriate questions would be “should I report (insert employee) for (insert incident)?” and the answer is always yes. You should never have to fear reprisal or retribution for turning someone in because they did something wrong.

It’s an ugly truth that backlash occurs, and it’s fully acceptable to want to protect yourself and your job. This is a situation where anonymous messaging can set you free – because the truth can set you free. You shouldn’t be saddled with the weight of that information, having to carry it around. Being able to send an anonymous message and remain incognito is the perfect way for you and every employee around you to keep corporate leaders and other members of the chain of command in your business from stepping out of line.

They should be held to a higher standard, and you should never have to feel fear of any kind while at work. Staying anonymous is your way of enacting positive change for you and your coworkers.

Is There a Way To Report Anonymously?

Yes. For those that have a very real fear of their personal or job security, there’s no real safe way to report work-related incidents or employee-related incidents to other staff without exposing themselves. Because few people realize the available channels for reporting anonymously, they often don’t bother. That fear of reprisal very easily overshadows other options and pushes out clear thinking and reason. It’s important to know that there are other methods to report incidents anonymously.

The most prominent and helpful method is to use an anonymous messaging service. If you have an email address or a physical address of the recipient then you can quickly utilize one of these messaging services to stay incognito while exposing the truth.

This shouldn’t be held in reserve for something like sexual harassment. Remember that any incident you become privy to can be reported – especially corruption. Don’t be afraid to hold your superiors to a higher standard – no company and no employee or authority figure is above the law.