Anonymity is an illusion
Submitted by Nate on 2002-12-8 16:12:00, Sunday
In reply to anonymity submitted by tigris on 2002-12-8 13:50:48, Sunday
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Anonymity on the Internet is an illusion. Inside a corporate network, anonymity is just a foolish thought. The IT staff on your company network - without ever touching the computer you are using - can see who logs in and when, where they surf, what they download, read the email and most Instant messages.... And most companies are already logging this kind of information in order to reduce their liability. In the US, it is only necessary that the company give notice that network activity will be monitored. Even if the computer is not connected to the network and you dial-in to the Internet, all the details of where you surf are stored in there - and it takes a good technician a lot of time to erase all of it. Your ISP has access to all the same information when you surf from home. The thing is, why would they use it? They have an interest in keeping you, the customer, happy. So they will let you believe that your "privacy" is protected. Still, they keep logs, also to protect their own liability. And you can bet that there is some young techie working up there late at night who gets his kicks watching were you surf! It would take a great deal of technical sophistication to hide most of these tracks - but that just makes it harder to follow you, not impossible. CBF exists within this illusion of limited anonymity. Using pseudonyms allows us to discuss issues openly and honestly in a way that we could not otherwise. However, it is important to understand that the anonymity is limited. It keeps us anonymous from the general public, but not from law enforcement should they care to find out who we are. Especially now with new legislation, law enforcement officials can find out what they want to know. Hopefully, they are not looking for you. As one good friend and long-time supporter of CBF puts it, "If you are not doing anything illegal, why worry? But if you are doing something illegal, you should be afraid." This idea is very biblical: Romans 13 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. This is why the admins at CBF are so careful that we do not give even the appearance of doing anything which could be construed as illegal. So far, discussing our feelings is still legal. I bet that is more than you wanted to know.... Peace, Nate |
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