Are You Being Watched?

Society today has become more sensitive to the dangers of their physical surroundings. Everyone knows not to go out alone, not to talk to strangers, not to pickup hitchhikers. However, not everyone is aware of just how dangerous a place the Internet can be. We happily open up our web browser and surf away, not even thinking for a moment that we might not be alone. In reality, it is not just you and the Internet out there. We would be very alarmed, if someone were following us around town and recording all of our activities. But, most users are unaware that the same ability exists and is currently being used on the unsuspecting Internet traveler. With every trip out on the Internet, users are being watched and profiled. How can that be, you might wonder. You are a safe Internet user. You don't accept cookies, you turned off your Java Scripting and more importantly you are behind your company's firewall. Unfortunately we will see that it isn't enough. The Internet Backchannel provides a very real path to get to you and if you are not talking, don't be so sure your computer isn't. Three areas of concern are the Internet Backchannel, spyware and user profiling.