E-Consumer Tips - Leaving Footprints in Cyberspace

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You may think you're anonymous when surfing the Internet, but you're not. Each time you go to a Web site, companies could be compiling facts about you - such as your marital status, where you live, your family size, your financial status, employment data, your health concerns, and how you spend your free time. Marketers use this data to develop a profile on you, which determines the offers and information you receive while you're online.

While you may consider this targeted marketing harmless, some people don't. This marketing is widespread and information can be obtained without your knowledge or consent.

This is how your profile is developed:

  • Marketers record your Internet activities by tracking your computer's address, which leaves a unique footprint at every Web site you visit. Although these footprints don't identify you by name, the information left behind is used to monitor your Web activities and develop a profile.
  • Most Web sites place tiny files called "cookies" on your computer. Cookies track your browsing habits. Cookies can also identify you by name if you've given that information when logging in, signing up for a service, or some other information-gathering technique.
  • Some Web sites require you to provide personal information before entering the site. Generally, this information is used for profiling and target marketing and may be sold or shared.

Privacy Policies
Check the company's privacy policy posted on its Web site before giving out personal information. A privacy seal may not guarantee the level of privacy you want. You can learn more about Internet privacy at the following links:

Programs are available to monitor and control cookies, and to surf the Web and send e-mail anonymously.