Web-Based Behavioral Tracking Can Keep A Log Of All Surfing You Do On The Net - Do You Care
Posted by Andrew Virender in Uncategorized, tags: computers, ID Theft, identity theft, internet, pc, Privacy, safety, security, UncategorizedVery vital information is collected from users through online tracking. A large amount of data gathered could be used by companies that do target advertising and strategic marketing approaches could surely boost revenues of these companies. In the past, data collection was done through surveys of readers’ preferences and applications. Online tracking as a marketing “tool” evolved as modern technology developed and grew. Today, marketing firms effortlessly accumulate data by just keeping an “eye” on a user’s online behavior.
In its earlier days, online data collection from users seemed harmless. Privacy issues began to appear as more and more internet marketing companies made use of such methods. Maintaining privacy on the web became more and more challenging. A user’s online conduct is left vulnerable, making him or her “target” for internet advertising companies. Claims of unlawful intrusiveness by internet data gradually became commonplace. Users questioned whether such techniques could be considered legal. Others contend that such procedures are violations of individual privacy.
User data that is uploaded holds so much important information with extensive marketing potentials. As a whole, these contain the user’s data and those of his or her friends, linkages, locations, and influences. With some transformations, these could tell not only what the individual user wants but also the wants of his or her friends. Abuse of personal data becomes a never ending likelihood.
By placing cookies on the computers of users who visit the website, user information can be collected. The use of cookies is prevalent and widespread. One report says that out of the 100 most popular websites examined, more than 50 percent used cookies. Cookies facilitate internet use, particularly on those sites that are visited frequently. Cookies help in saving individual user preferences so the user does not have to go through a repetitive process each time he or she opens the sites.
Companies that use behavioral marketing should self-regulate to avoid claims of privacy violation. The Federal Trade Commission recommends that this should be put into law. Websites should have full disclosure of the company’s behavioral targeting procedures. Under Federal Trade Commission Act Section 5(a), there were some website owners who were prosecuted due to violations.
If you are at all worried about your Internet identity or your Internet privacy, you might think about using an Anonymous Proxy to protect yourself from web-based behavioral tracking. Try our Private Proxy for free and start defending yourself today!
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