Many Facebook and Google users have a general sense of unease when online, with concerns about privacy and viruses, but experts caution that we don't understand who's getting access to our data and for what purpose. The erosion of security and privacy go hand in hand, as it becomes easy to create accounts and do most activities on the web.
Most Americans are worried about privacy and viruses when using Facebook or Google, according to results of a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll released Tuesday.Nearly seven out of 10 Facebook members surveyed -- and 52 percent of Google users -- say they are either "somewhat" or "very concerned" about their privacy while using the world's most popular social network and dominant search engine.
Even so, technologists and privacy experts say most people lack a clear grasp of the complex risks they accept whenever they're on the Internet. "Consumers generally do not understand who's getting access to their data and for what purpose," says Ryan Calo, director of the Consumer Privacy Project at the Stanford University Center for Internet and Society.
Many of us "have a general sense of unease" when we're online, Calo says.
The poll found that a similar percentage of Facebook and Google users -- 65 percent and 54 percent, respectively -- say they are worried about Internet viruses.
"In my mind, that shows a lower level of concern (about viruses) than folks really ought to have," says Lisa Sotto, head of privacy and information management at law firm Hunton & Williams. "There is probably a lack of understanding about how very dangerous viruses can be."
The erosion of security and privacy often go hand in hand. Social networks, banks, tech companies and retailers continue to make it easier than ever to create accounts, share personal details and do most activities on the Web.
This is being driven largely by advertisers' desire to make online pitches to the person most likely to buy. "The only way that happens is through the collection of huge amounts of data about each of us, followed by the sale of the data," says Michael Fertik, CEO of identity management firm Reputation.com.
Data flowing through the Web have translated into a candy store for criminals. It's easier than ever for even low-skilled hackers to spread infections via e-mail , Facebook and Twitter postings and corrupted Google search results. Risks are rising with the use of smartphones, tablet PCs and e-readers to access the Web.
Some companies are doing what they can. "I'm heartened by the attention to mobile privacy issues," says privacy attorney Chris Wolf of Hogan Lovells. New services revolve around "ways to empower people to protect their information."
Even so, technologists and privacy experts say most people lack a clear grasp of the complex risks they accept whenever they're on the Internet. "Consumers generally do not understand who's getting access to their data and for what purpose," says Ryan Calo, director of the Consumer Privacy Project at the Stanford University Center for Internet and Society.
Many of us "have a general sense of unease" when we're online, Calo says.
The poll found that a similar percentage of Facebook and Google users -- 65 percent and 54 percent, respectively -- say they are worried about Internet viruses.
"In my mind, that shows a lower level of concern (about viruses) than folks really ought to have," says Lisa Sotto, head of privacy and information management at law firm Hunton & Williams. "There is probably a lack of understanding about how very dangerous viruses can be."
The erosion of security and privacy often go hand in hand. Social networks, banks, tech companies and retailers continue to make it easier than ever to create accounts, share personal details and do most activities on the Web.
This is being driven largely by advertisers' desire to make online pitches to the person most likely to buy. "The only way that happens is through the collection of huge amounts of data about each of us, followed by the sale of the data," says Michael Fertik, CEO of identity management firm Reputation.com.
Data flowing through the Web have translated into a candy store for criminals. It's easier than ever for even low-skilled hackers to spread infections via e-mail , Facebook and Twitter postings and corrupted Google search results. Risks are rising with the use of smartphones, tablet PCs and e-readers to access the Web.
Some companies are doing what they can. "I'm heartened by the attention to mobile privacy issues," says privacy attorney Chris Wolf of Hogan Lovells. New services revolve around "ways to empower people to protect their information."
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