riminal, is going to state publicly in their privacy policy that your information will be used for criminal purposes. But, making a habit of reading and digesting the privacy policies found on websites can at least alert online users to some potential dangers as well as helping them deveThe increased threat of the breach of online security has led to a huge consumer and business cost. Despite the increased awareness of online security issues, studies have shown that online users rarely read and understand privacy policies and “terms and conditions of use” when on third party websites. Personal information is readily handed out without properly knowing the policy for its use.

Whilst some users of this information may do nothing more than store it, others may use it in alternative ways. For example, it may be used to target consumers (legitimately) for email follow-ups or details may be passed to a "trusted third party partner" (also legitimately). Consumers and other online users should have an option, when passing their information, for opting out of these processes. Unscrupulous users may disseminate your details to potential or actual criminals. The sale of such information, including email lists, is healthy and largely uncontrollable. Ending up with your email on one of these lists will lead to frequent spam communications and phishing attacks.

Of course, no self-respecting website owner, or even a criminal, is going to state publicly in their privacy policy that your information will be used for criminal purposes. But, making a habit of reading and digesting the privacy policies found on websites can at least alert online users to some potential dangers as well as helping them devel

party websites. Personal information is readily handed out without properly knowing the policy for its use.

Whilst some users of this information may do nothing more than store it, others may use it in alternative ways. For example, it may be used to target consumers (legitimately) for email follow-ups or details may be passed to a "trusted third party partner" (also legitimately). Consumers and other online users should have an option, when passing their information, for opting out of these processes. Unscrupulous users may disseminate your details to potential or actual criminals. The sale of such information, including email lists, is healthy and largely uncontrollable. Ending up with your email on one of these lists will lead to frequent spam communications and phishing attacks.

Of course, no self-respecting website owner, or even a criminal, is going to state publicly in their privacy policy that your information will be used for criminal purposes. But, making a habit of reading and digesting the privacy policies found on websites can at least alert online users to some potential dangers as well as helping them deve

) for email follow-ups or details may be passed to a "trusted third party partner" (also legitimately). Consumers and other online users should have an option, when passing their information, for opting out of these processes. Unscrupulous users may disseminate your details to potential or actual criminals. The sale of such information, including email lists, is healthy and largely uncontrollable. Ending up with your email on one of these lists will lead to frequent spam communications and phishing attacks.

Of course, no self-respecting website owner, or even a criminal, is going to state publicly in their privacy policy that your information will be used for criminal purposes. But, making a habit of reading and digesting the privacy policies found on websites can at least alert online users to some potential dangers as well as helping them deve

or actual criminals. The sale of such information, including email lists, is healthy and largely uncontrollable. Ending up with your email on one of these lists will lead to frequent spam communications and phishing attacks.

Of course, no self-respecting website owner, or even a criminal, is going to state publicly in their privacy policy that your information will be used for criminal purposes. But, making a habit of reading and digesting the privacy policies found on websites can at least alert online users to some potential dangers as well as helping them deve

riminal, is going to state publicly in their privacy policy that your information will be used for criminal purposes. But, making a habit of reading and digesting the privacy policies found on websites can at least alert online users to some potential dangers as well as helping them develop a more enquiring mind and healthy suspicion. Don't forget, all personal data is valuable to the person that owns it - it contains much of what we need to function in society. For a criminal, this information is equally as valuable.