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Online privacy a concern for consumers
(28-03-08) - UK consumers are worried about the way that their personal data could be accessed over the internet according to the Ofcom Consumer Panel, which advises the telecoms regulator, Ofcom.
In its Switched On report, the Ofcom Consumer Panel said that while “UK consumers are savvy and switched on users of new technology”, they “fear intrusion into their privacy and don’t trust that their personal data will be protected”. Even the most “technology literate” continued to worry about their online privacy, it added.
Consumers voiced concerns about the type of information available on social networking sites such as FaceBook and MySpace, and the Ofcom Consumer Panel said that “consumers have little idea about what rules exist to protect their data”, also saying that they felt “under siege” from phone and internet spam and “expressed particular concerns about dodgy dates, paedophiles and unscrupulous internet vendors”.
Anna Bradley, Consumer Panel Chair, explained: “The communications technology market is fast-moving and is providing real benefits to UK consumers that they clearly value.
“However, this research shows that there are serious challenges ahead in relation to privacy and the use of personal electronic data. Service providers, regulators and other policy makers need to give consumers greater confidence that the risks are well managed. In addition, we need to help consumers understand about the existing protections, make the residual risks clear to them and help them to make their own electronic environment safer.”
Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk product director, advised worried consumers to take all necessary precautions to keep their personal data secure online.
“Some things are common sense”, he said, “such as not making your address, date of birth and bank details available on the internet through increasingly popular social networking sites, and if you do use FaceBook, MySpace or Bebo, making sure that you have activated the appropriate security settings.
“Using PayPal to pay for internet purchases is also a great way of adding an extra level of security to your bank details. And although phishing emails and spam are almost unavoidable today, make sure that you never respond to any unsolicited emails.”
There are also measures that concerned internet users can take to protect their actual broadband connection from hackers, he added. “Make sure that you have up-to-date anti virus software installed on your PC as some viruses can leave you open to hackers, and if you’re using wireless broadband make sure that your firewall is activated and that you’re using the highest possible level of password encryption - currently WPA for most users.”
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