Weekly Poll Analysis - In Your Opinion, Which Website Has Least Online Privacy?

Link to us: http://sn.im/lastpollresult



Hello Readers! From the chart above show the results for the question" In your opinion, which website has least online privacy?" This is the result of our final poll on our blog, thanks for everyone's participation and we has collect 16 votes.

Next, 10 votes (63%) got to www.facebook.com. Through this result, we can know that most of the Internet users think that social networking sites are least privacy because it may cause identity theft and people could take your personal information from social networking sites used for dangerous purposes. Actually, social networking sites like Facebook have enhanced their privacy settings by provided some options to protect against online identity theft but it was up to you to customize them by yourself.

In addition, 4 votes (25%) go to www.maybank2u.com. Online banking have it own risks but always remember the online banking system would not reveal your personal information to third party and they would not request your personal information through phone calls and emails. Online banking is safe to use, but Internet users also need to be alert to online fraudsters.

Lastly, 2 votes (13%) go to www.hotmail.com. This show that Internet users are least pay attention on web based E-mail application. Do you read Cindy's post which is related to E-mails Privacy? E-mail is convenient, easy to use and is FREE (except premium E-mail service)! But, do you know that web base E-mail could bring serious threat such as your private information could be reveal to online fraudsters easily. Internet users can continue using web base E-mail but always remember be alert to the threats and avoid send your private information through web base E-mail services.

In conclusion, we hope that the information we sharing to you have help you to know more about Cyber Law in Malaysia and tips to protecting your online privacy when using Internet. So, readers always remember be aware when explore the web.

Emails Privacy and Security?

Link to Us: http://sn.im/emailps

Many people use Internet every day and those Internet services that we use very frequently are social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, online banking, and also web based E-mails application.

What is web based E-mail application? Maybe you do not know what is that but you know Hotmail which also known as Live Mail, Yahoo! Mail, and Google Mail? They are the three common and popular web based E-mail service providers. Basically, web based E-mail application refers to E-mail service which is available through online, Internet and users are not required to install any software to use this service. Users only have to register to become the service members then, they could send E-mails and keep contact with their family, friends, partner, and others. Nowadays, E-mail is very convenient, easy, fast, and usually it is FREE (except for the premium E-mail service)! People love to use web based E-mail but E-mail could bring privacy risk and issues to users.

First, the most possible issue of E-mail is spam E-mails. Spam E-mails might contain viruses, spyware, worm such as Trojan that could harm your computer. If you accidentally open the spam E-mails and download the attachment inside the spam E-mails, your computer could have a high possibility to be affected by Trojan and other viruses. Trojan could allow intruder take control of your computer therefore, those personal files, information that saved inside your computer might be stalked by intruder. It sounds scary, right?

Next, do you ever encounter problem like sending E-mails to wrong addresses? If you type wrong a character of the receiver's E-mail address, the message (the E-mail) would send to the wrong address that you have type in. For example, Susan* wants to tell her father she is lacking of money to pay her accommodation fee then, she writes an E-mails which contains her account number and request her father to bank in money to that particular bank account. After that, her father E-mail address is J08004222_4307@hotmail.com but she accidentally type a wrong address which is J08004307_4222@hotmail.com. Her E-mail which contained her personal information is sent to a wrong receiver which is J08004307_4222@hotmail.com. This wrong receiver might misuse her personal information such as this wrong receiver uses her name, her account number, and IC number to apply for a loan from other Internet services. Thus, web based E-mail providers do not 100% fully ensure your E-mail could be sent to a correct receiver and your private information could be reveal to strangers easily. Ok, maybe users be more careful and double check the receiver E-mail address could be safe. Users always need to have awareness and double check effort to prevent this problem.

In addition, another threat of web based E-mail is it could be an easy platform to do tracing. An E-mail contains time and date that you sent that particular E-mail, IP address, country, city that shows the exact location you sent the E-mail. Then, the web base E-mail service provider would record down all these information included the message you write in the E-mail in their database and the E-mail admin could always refer back and check the information of the E-mail sender. He could check your IP address and he might trace your IP for hacking attack to your computer. Since web based E-mail is easily to do tracing, people who intrude the database and obtain your IP addresses, other personal information and even telephone number then, they could track on your online habit which included the location you online, the location you send E-mails, and others.



Burglar, Animation Library [Online]
Retrieved on 20th March 2010
URL: http://www.gifs.net/Animation11/Jobs_and_People/Criminals/Burglar.gif


When you want to send message to your business partner and other personal purposes, you would use electronic mail, E-mail because it is convenient and it does not like sending a postcard which requires you to purchase post stamp and put the letter into the post bin and most of the web base E-mail service is free except premium service. Therefore, why not just use web base E-mail to do communication, sending messages instead of posting letters, postcard but think carefully, your E-mail that you sent by using web base E-mail service would pass through many computers or maybe servers throughout the Internet. You might encounter information leakage, your message revealed and it would cause user a heavy lost if the E-mail contains crucial information, private information, business information because most of the web base E-mail could not fully guarantee your E-mail privacy except you use their premium service.

Last, maybe there are some web base E-mail service providers who have stronger privacy protection and security but not all of us are know them and even use them. Internet users still can use web base E-mail but please be more aware to the threats, be more careful on the message that you want to send through web base E-mail and also try to avoid to send too personal information.



References:
Primary Search:
Simson Garfinkel, Gene Spafford (2002), Web Security, Privacy, and Commerce Second Edition, O'Reilly Media, Inc, United States of America.

Secondary Search:
Email Privacy Info, Email Privacy.Info [Online]
Retrieved on 20th March 2010
URL: http://www.emailprivacy.info/

Protecting Your Privacy On Facebook

Link to us: http://sn.im/fbsecuretips


Facebook.com, Petition: Facebook, stop invading my privacy! by Facebook.com
Retrieved 16 March 2010
URL: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5930262681&4

Nowadays, a lot of teenagers are using social networking sites communicate with each others. The most attractive and famous social networking site using by teenagers are Facebook. Many teenagers are visiting the social networks of their older friends, siblings and other relations just to keep up with the fun. Facebook, as you know, is a social network that allows groups and individuals to create their own little corner of the Internet, and people can communicate with each other, share their interests, photos, videos, songs and so on.

But do you know that online fraudsters are always target on Facebook and other social networking sites to harvest information about you. So, now you may ask "How safety Facebook is?" Answer is Facebook has provided some options to protect your online privacy but it was up to you to customize them by yourself. Here we will recommend you few ways to set your Facebook privacy options to protect against online identity theft.

Step 1: Customize Privacy Settings to help protect your identity
At the bottom of every web page on Facebook, there is a link called "Privacy Settings". You can change your profile information like your name, current city and gender. You also can control who can see you in search results of Facebook and set a block list which can control who can interact with you on Facebook. After customize, you can use the "How others see you" tool on Facebook privacy setting to preview and make sure your privacy settings are properly set up.

Step 2: Think carefully before accept any friend requests
Once you have accepted someone as your friend they will able to access any information about you. They might be using your photo and identity for certain purposes. You can remove any friends at anytime when you change your mind about someone.

Step 3: Show "limited friends" half version of your profile
You can choose to make people into "limited friends" who only have access to half version of your profile that you customize it. This can make more secure when you have interact with who you do not wish to give full personal information and status to, or feel uncomfortable sharing information with.

Lastly, Facebook can be a real joy because it can help you keeping in touch with relatives, sharing information with friends and family. But always remember keeping your personal information private and secure when you are using Facebook.

Reference:

allfacebook.com, 10 Privacy Setting Every Facebook User Should Know, by Nick O'Neill
Retrieved on 16th March 2010
URL: http://www.allfacebook.com/2009/02/facebook-privacy/

Special Online Privacy Act

Link to Us: http://snipr.com/on9pact



Jeremy Douglas-Stewart, Comprehensive Guide to Privacy Law - Private Sector, Presidian Legal Publications. [Online]
Picture retrieved on: 14th March 2010
URL: http://www.presidian.com.au/images/comp-guide-privacy-law.JPG

"The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA) prohibits the collection, maintenance, and use or disclosure of personal information from children under the age of 13 on commercial Web sites that are directed at children." 1

1_______________________________________________________________________________________________
(Page 104, 4.2.5 paragraph 1, Youth, pornography, and the Internet, Dick Thornburgh, Herbert Lin, National Research Council U.S.

Nowadays, we (teenagers, youngsters, adults, elderly people) are talking about online privacy to protect our online information but do you know that children deserve online privacy too? Based on the book 'Youth, pornography, and the Internet", In U.S. they do have an Act to protect children's online privacy who are aged below 13. That means everyone in U.S. is under protect by Act or Law. There are many cyber laws and acts in U.S. that protect Internet users such as Cybersecurity Act of 2009.

So, what is this Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 about? Basically, it protects children's private information online which included first and last name, home or physical address, e-mail address, telephone number, and other collection of personal information. Moreover, this Act also addresses to stop commercial web sites or online service use children information and target to children.

In the past, there were some bad people use children appearance in pornography. They use children images and exposure in the online child pornography and at the end would lead to very bad consequence which is the luring of children get into illegal sexual activities. Therefore, this act is created to stop people use children's identity included name, appearance, and other personal information in child pornography through Internet. Furthermore, children's online privacy is being protected. Their online personal information such as name, photos show their identity, and exposure could not be used for commercial web sites, online services without their parents' consent and so, children's private information and identity have their own privacy and could not easily be used or misused by the online service providers or web sites.

This Act is so special. Do not think adults need online privacy protection to guard and secure their personal information only. Children need it too because they have their own identities and exposure especially online.

On the other hand, In Malaysia we do have Data Personal Act to protect all the Internet users' personal information (this Act is progressing but it is believed it would be publicized very soon). Currently, one of the serious cyber issues in Malaysia would be phishing scams. In my opinion, this Data Personal Act could prohibit fraudsters misuse users' personal information such as online banking log in details included log in name and password, credit card numbers, IC number, and other data they use via Internet to obtain illegal benefits especially in terms of financial -- money. This Act is quite new and unique because it aims and major to guard one's online personal information to fight against phishing scams and other misuse of personal information. In my opinion, Malaysia might not need a lawsuit to mainly focus on children's online privacy protection because the social and culture are very different from U.S. We protect children's personal information and illegal and negative children exposure through Internet is always prohibited. In U.S. misuse children exposure and personal information is very serious especially child pornography. Therefore, they must have a lawsuit to against all these negative children's personal information exposure through online.

In conclusion, children deserve online privacy and they need protection on their identity and personal information. Children are innocent, we should not violate their online personal information privacy and use their information on other bad ways. They have their rights to choose how to their information can be used or refuse to be used.



References:
Primary Search:
Dick Thornburgh, Herbert Lin, National Research Council (U.S.) (2002), Youth, Pornography, and the Internet, National Academy Press. 2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. United States of America.


Secondary Search:
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, Federal Trade Commission. [Online]
Retrieved on: 14th March 2010
URL: http://www.ftc.gov/ogc/coppa1.htm

Weekly Poll Analysis- Which of the following act has been introduced on 2001 to protect one's personal data privacy in Malaysia?

Link to Us: http://snipr.com/wk9poll

The weekly poll results finally came out. Thanks for everyone's participation and totally Online Privacy Zone blog has collect 24 votes. Thanks again.

Which of the following act has been introduced on 2001 to protect one's personal data privacy in Malaysia? Options given are Data Personal Act, Cyber Security Act, Cyber Crime Act, Communication Act, Copyright Act, and I don't know. Majority (9 out of 24 votes, 38%) chose "I don't know". This could be understood because the introduction of the act in Malaysia is still new some more, the act is under progress. Furthermore, poll participators might lack of knowledge on law.

Next, 5 votes (21%) go to Data Personal Act. Congratulations to these participators who chose Data Personal Act because this Act is the correct answer. Malaysia has introduced this Data Personal A and this Act is currently progressing. It aims to give more protection and guard to one's personal information especially online personal information such as credit card number, password and so on. Nowadays, phishing scams are increased, therefore this Act could help to prevent one's online private data is being misused, investigate, and punish who misused someone's private information. Do not think this Data Personal Act is not related to online privacy because it is created for strengthen online information protection.

In addition, Cyber Security Act, Cyber Crime Act, and Communication Act have 3 votes (13%) for each. All these three Acts are not being introduced on 2001, obviously they are not the accurate answer. Moreover, Cyber Security Act is under U.S. lawsuit and the accurate name for this Act is CyberSecurity Act of 2009. Malaysia do have Computer Crimes Act 1997 but not Cyber Crime Act and it addresses to cyber crime activities and monitor those cyber crimes such as unauthorized access and copying of computer programs. On the other hand, Communication Act is not for personal data protection and the correct name for this Act in Malaysia is Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and it oversees framework of broadcasting, telecommunications, and on-line activities.

Lastly, only 1 vote (4%) goes to Copyright Act. In Malaysia, Copyright Act protect the originality of the work, authorship, prevent plagiarism, and others. Personal data deserves copyright? According to Laws of Malaysia, the Copyright Act 1987 only certain works are eligible for copyright such as films, sound recordings, broadcasts, literary works, musical works, and artistic works. Then, how do our personal data is eligible for copyright and its protection?

In conclusion, Malaysia first introduced cyber law is Computer Crimes Act 1997 and it is 13 years ago. Now Malaysia is going to strengthen Internet users' private data protection by introducing this Data Personal Act. That is pretty good job.

Reference:

Is Cyber Crime Reigning On A No Man's Land?, National ICT Security and Emergency Response Centre (NISER) [Online]

Retrieved on 13th March 2010

URL: http://www.cybersecurity.my/data/content_files/13/134.pdf?.diff=1177182839

Cyber Security Tips: Protect Your Privacy

Link to us: http://snipr.com/cybersecuritytips

Nowadays, cyber crime activities are on the rise and become a serious threat. Everyday we might receive uncountable phishing emails from online fraudsters. We should take action to prevent before we become one of the victims of cybercrime. The following steps are simple explanations to protect your privacy when you are using Internet.

Step 1: Read through website privacy policy
Before you fill in your name, email address and other personal information into a website, read clearly the content of the website privacy policy. This policy should state how the information will be used and whether or not the information will be give to other organizations. Some companies may share your information with partner vendors who offer products or options to subscribe to particular mailing lists. You might be added into the mailing lists and receive unwanted spam emails. If you cannot find a privacy policy on a website, try to contact the company to require about the policy before you submit your personal information, or find another website. Remember review the privacy policy regularly because it may change by the company.

Step 2: Confirm that your information is being encrypted
To protect your personal information steal by online fraudsters, any information that submit online should encrypt so that only can read by the appropriate recipient. How to confirm the information that we submit has been encrypt? Many website use SSL which is secure sockets layer to encrypt information. A website that using secure sockets layer to encrypt information will include a URL that begins with "https:" instead of "http:" , https is a secure protocol and often used for payment transactions. For example, CIMB online banking is using https for CIMB Bank secure e-pay, https://www.cimbsecuree-pay.com.my/

Step 3: Avoid submit credit card information online
Certain websites may require you to provide your credit card information. It may give the chances to online fraudsters to steal your credit card information during the submission process. So, don't simply give out your credit card information.

Step 4: Avoid website remember your password
Avoid allow a website to remember your password because if your password being stored, your profile and any account information you have provided on that website can easily access by online fraudsters. Always evaluate and customize your privacy settings on websites used for social networking because other might grab your information from social networking sites and misuse your personal information for certain purposes.

Except that, we should clearly know about what kinds of Malaysian cyber law can protect personal privacy. For instance, MCMC Act which is Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998 can control the accuracy of the content publish online, broadcast and other media. On the other hand, Computer Crime Act 1997 used to against the misuses computers and computer criminal activites. The new cyber law which enforce on Oct 2009 is Personal Data Protection Act is aimed to be safeguard to every Individual Internet user's private data and prevent Internet users misuse one's private data. As Internet users, we should gain more Malaysian cyber law knowledge to protect our own personal privacy.


References:
1. LawEddie.com, Current Cyber Laws in Malaysia, by Eddie Law
Retrieved on 11th March 2010
URL: http://www.laweddie.com/wordpress/current-cyber-laws-in-malaysia/

2. instantssl.com, Https: What is it and how does it works, by instantssl.com
Retrieved on 11th March 2010
URL: http://instantssl.com/ssl-certificate-products/https.html

The Truth Revealed: The Act protects your online privacy

Link to Us: http://snipr.com/cyberlaw4

Do you remember one of the previous post "Do You Remember?"? It is time to tell the details of the act that protects Internet users' personal data.

The Act is Personal Data Protection Act and it is progressing now. The Personal Data Protection Bill finalized on 2009 and today Malaysia government is working with the Act now. This Personal Data Protection Act would be aimed to be a safeguard to every individual Internet user's private data and prevent other Internet users misuse one's private data. Moreover, a Personal Data Protection Commission would be formed under this Act to investigate any issues or cases on misuse of one's personal data. Anyone who suspected for the guilty of misuse other people's private information could be investigated by this commission. In addition, this Act also involves the protection of e-commerce transaction and other sectors such as finance, telecommunications. It ensures the user's private data is being used by the servers for commercial activities too.

This Personal Data Protection Act is expected to arrive soon to protect all of the Internet users' personal information and build a safer cyber community. Under this Act, users could have a significant protection to prevent their online private information to be stolen and misused. Furthermore, in the future any victims of phishing scams could report to the commission, ask for an investigation, and get possible compensation if the charge is tenable. Once this Act is established, users' private information could be protected and I believe many people are very happy to have this Act in future.

Since Personal Data Protection Act is coming soon therefore, you might wonder in current which cyber law is protecting our online personal information? The answer is many which included MCMC Act, Communication and Multimedia Act 1998, Computer Crimes Act 1997 and others to punish people who misuse the computer technology and information technology but all these cyber Acts are not fully major to beat online privacy intruders especially fraudsters who cheat victims' properties through phishing scams. Some cyber Acts are stated that the measure of data security. Service Providers have to create and maintain the precaution to protect one's personal information from loss and misuse. It also states the service providers need to assure the transferred information through online is secured and protected to avoid fraudsters encrypt the content of the personal information.

In conclusion, now and future we would have a complete act to protect our personal information and give all the Internet users a space of privacy to keep their personal information safe and secure. Once our personal information is protected by the Act, we would have more privacy and security on the cyber world and the cyber crimes maybe would be lesser.



Reference:
1. Personal Data Protection Act to Protect Personal Information, Bernama.com [Online]
Retrieved on 7th March 2010
URL: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=405278

2. Personal Data Bill To Be Tabled In Dewan Rakyat, Bernama.com [Online]
Retrieved on 7th March 2010
URL: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=425714

How Computer Crimes Act 1997 Protect You?

Link to us:http://snipr.com/cyberlaw3


Hello Everyone! Today I would like to introduce and explain the Computer Crimes Act 1997 in Malaysia. Computer Crimes Act 1997 is the cyber law which been approved by the government and implemented on 1st June 2000.

How Computer Crimes Act 1997 works? Computer Crimes Act is an act used to against the misuses of computers and computer criminal activities. For instance, Internet users who access to any program without permission, illegal transmission of data or messages over the computer and hacking of computer system or networks can be accused under this law.

By attaching the Computer Crimes Act 1997, users can protect their rights to privacy and build trust in the computer system. At the same time, the government can have the right to track the illegal activities on the Internet, thus can reduce the cyber crimes cases.

In conclusion, as Internet users we should clearly know about the cyber laws that can protect our privacy information and establish a secure cyber space and reduce cyber crimes activities in Malaysia.Want to know more about cyber law? How others cyber law protect you? Please stay tune at onlineprivacyzone dot blogspot dot com (http://onlineprivacyzone.blogspot.com/)



Reference:
Law of Malaysia, Computer Crimes Act 1997 [Online]
Retrieved on 05th March 2010
URL:http://www.ktak.gov.my/system/uploaded/files/Computer%20Crimes%201997%20-%20Act%20563.pdf

Weekly Poll Analysis- How online information should be protected?

Link to Us: http://snipr.com/6thpoll



This is the analysis for the sixth weekly poll in Online Privacy Zone blog and it is related on how online information should be protected. Total 27 voters have participated in this weekly poll and thanks for everyone's participation.

Nowadays, the cyber world is getting dangerous because of phishing, scam, hacking issues, and many more. Internet is public and your private data or important information might reveal to many people included fraudsters then, it could lead you to phishing threat. You would wonder who can efficiently protect your online information and how to protect your online information. This weekly poll concluded participants' suggestions on the ways to protect online information which are government should come out a law to protect online privacy, websites should disclose policies, and educate Internet users.

First, majority (12 vote, 44%) chose government should come out a law to protect online privacy. In Malaysia, currently we do not have a confirmed law or act to protect our online data and privacy. We do have cyber law to stop cyber crime which can help to defeat cyber crimes such as phishing, scams, illegal access to one's personal computer, and many more but this cyber law is not focus on protection of online data and privacy. Participants feel that law could protect online privacy effectively because people are scare of the punishment therefore, they would avoid themselves to involve in any violation of online information privacy. Moreover, a law which focuses on online privacy protection could guarantee whatever personal information Internet users key in could be protected because individuals, partners, government, businesses, services, and others would work based on this law to gives Internet users a privacy security or protection.

Next, 10 participants (37%) wish that Internet users could receive suitable education to protect their own online privacy and prevent to become victims. 10 participants chose educate Internet users probably is because they think that it is important to increase knowledge and awareness on online privacy among the Internet users. Self awareness could protect users to avoid themselves to become victims because they are guarded by knowledge which related to cyber crimes and online information privacy.

In addition, 5 out of 27 participants (19%) voted websites should disclose policies. Policies refer to the plan written by the company, partner, services, or other businesses on Internet to promise they would protect users' online private information by taking suitable protection, prevention, and other actions. Most of the membership for sign up services which available on Internet require users to agree to their policies or terms and conditions because they want users to understand what kind of circumstances their data would and would not be protected, and what are the parties that should responsible for certain actions. These 5 participants feel that, disclose policies could protect their online data because these policies are like agreements that promise to protect their online data in certain situation and if the company did not achieve the protection which should give to the users, users could complain or sue the company.

In my opinion, it is great if the whole cyber world in worldwide could fulfill all these three ways then, the cyber security only could be protected effectively. Internet users might be alert on the online privacy issues but they do need law or act to punish all those who violate their online privacy. If there are no any relevant law, Internet intruders could never stop their negative activities through Internet because no one could stop them. Luckily, Malaysia have introduced an act to protect personal data and the draft was come out on last year. We could achieve a more secure cyber world soon.