Discussion 5: Privacy and Security

Discussion 5: Privacy and Security

1. Privacy

   • What goes on the Net, regardless of where you put it, stays on the Net and it is PUBLIC! (Sheridan, 2016)
     • "Canadians’ knowledge about their privacy rights under Canada’s privacy laws is limited, although improving. While one-third (35%) rated their knowledge relatively highly (scores of 5-7 on a 7-point scale), a clear majority (63%) rated their knowledge low on the scale or in the neutral range" (Phoenix SPI, 2013)

2. Security

   • According to The Canadian Internet Registration Authority or CIRA (2012), the number one thing Canadians are concerned about online is their security.
     • What we share on social media and other site and simple things like passwords and email compromise our security far more than viruses. (Sheridan, 2016)

3. "Google knows what you're looking for. Facebook knows what you like. Sharing is the norm, and secrecy is out." (Preston, 2014)

   • The relationship between privacy and security is deeply complex and challenging to disband; especially when the focus is based in online information technology because it becomes increasingly problematic to ensure one obtained without also maintaining the other. In this regard, the security of our personal information is the means to a desired end, which is the privacy of our data and information. Privacy consists in the ability to control what information others collect about us, and how they use that information. While security rests essentially on a matter of “preventing unauthorized access to information while ensuring authorized access” (Schneier, 2007). However in many cases, it is the examination of privacy that is essential to explain how we should distinguish between authorized and unauthorized access.
     • Privacy and security both complement and are highly intertwined with one another. They intersect at the crossroad of what information should be and secured against unauthorized access and how secure that information should be as well as what degree of privacy that information should have. Many individuals may acknowledge “security violations as being the misappropriation of information by an unauthorized outside intruder, and of privacy violations as resulting from the mishandling of information by a party who has authorized access to it” (Schneier, 2007).
       • Being the skeptical individual about social media that I am, the topic of privacy and security immediately caught my eye. My skepticism was rewarded after reading through the Pew Research Group’s findings in the infrographic generated by MDG Advertising on ”The Sad State of Social Media Privacy” (Rainie, Kiesler, Kang, & Madden, 2013). The figure of “68%” caught my eye, I was baffled that such a staggeringly high rate of Facebook users who did not “understand Facebook’s privacy setting” (Rainie, Kiesler, Kang, & Madden, 2013). It seems that in this day and age most of “us have come to accept that the majority of our social, financial and even sexual interactions take place over the internet and that someone, somewhere, whether state, press or corporation, is watching” (Preston, 2014).
         • The question of why do we even bother sharing anything online is an extremely tough one to answer. I think that as humans we have an initiate inclination to connect with others and feel that we are part of something larger than ourselves – a community. And while sharing is essential to our growth, development, and evolution both on an individual level and a larger scale for the advancement of humanity – we need to not worry so much about not sharing but how can we be safe and secure. Privacy is a very important – at least it is to me – which is why I would completely disagree with William Hague’s famously intoned statement that, “if you have nothing to hide, you've nothing to fear” (Preston, 2014). Privacy cannot be simplified to being only necessary because we may fear that we have something shameful or embarrassing to hide. It’s about not feeling vulnerable and exposed. For example, we all use the washroom to relieve ourselves, however that is one thing that I can confidently say we
         • Although I was surprised by how little most Canadians knew about online privacy and security, I would have to admit that I myself am of not well versed. As I was discussing what I had read with my husband, I noticed that we both have a tendency of using the same password for essentially ALL of our accounts with a very slight variation. According to infographic from Workplace Safety, “You Are Not Safe Online”, my husband and I realized that we are at a high risk of having our accounts (2012). I also immediately did change the complex Sheridan password that I was given to the usual password I use. Furthermore, I went as far as sharing my password with husband. Although I have to admit that doing so (although I have nothing to hide from him) made me completely exposed – as if I just gave up all my rights to privacy and felt unsecure. After taking time to reflect on my behaviour online I came to realize that the number one security threat is my own actions. I suppose I never thought that
         • I began to think more and more about information sharing, privacy, and security and I noticed that this conversation was also happening at my workplace. I noticed that my employer, Shoppers Drugmart Pharmacy had numerous posters in the employee breakroom and even washrooms providing great reminders and advice on how to be safe online. I think this was a great initiative and more employers should fall suite.
           • In the end, everyone has the right to share what they wish and sharing is important. But what's more important is that people educate themselves on the risk and implement safety measures to protect themselves.
             • References:
       • Thinking Points

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