Bruce and Bev wrote:

---

and to think we bitch when our govts say they intend to mandate the savings of metadata!!!!

---

 And so we should....

aussietraveller wrote:

---

I thought there were privacy laws to protect us from this type of behaviour from private or public companies maybe I am just a bit naive, and have they been able to do this with previous versions of windows.

---

They certainly have AT, this is the way online businesses operate, by the collection of personal data, which in turn allows them to target customers who may be interested in their products.

They all do it, Google, Ebay, Microsoft, newspapers etc.

Have a read through the notes below, it will give you a better understanding of just how data is collected and used.

No need to be paranoid, however there are simple steps you can take to minimize your online footprint.

The link I posted originally is an example of how these companies operate, Zone Alarm chose to direct the link to their home page rather than the page I wanted to link to.

Online Privacy: How to Minimize Your Digital Footprint

Online privacy is a topic getting a lot of attention these days and has become a large concern among consumers. While the obvious solution is to take steps to better protect your online privacy, a survey found that 62% of U.S. consumers have done nothing to protect their privacy on the Internet.

If you are one of the 58% who is unsure where to begin to protect your privacy, there are steps you can take to help minimize your digital footprint and keep your data more private when youre on the Web:

Check your browsers privacy settings.
Todays web browsers usually allow you to be tracked by default. But they also offer tools for strengthening your privacy while you surf, such as the ability to block cookies. (A cookie is a small file placed on your computer by a website you visit. Cookies can track your activity while youre on that site.)

Your first action should be to explore your browsers default privacy settings and make changes to these settings accordingly. Be aware that blocking all cookies can make your Web surfing less convenient, as they help websites remember you when you return, amongst other benefits.

Anytime you visit a website, youre being tracked. Anti-tracking software discloses all the companies that are tracking you and gives you the ability to prevent them from collecting, analyzing, and even selling your personal data without your permission.

The Time to Start Protecting Your Privacy is Now

Online privacy is clearly a growing concern for many. But, as the Consumer Reports survey highlights, consumers fears of being tracked online are out of sync with their efforts to prevent it.

The fact is, taking action is always more effective than choosing to do nothing. Protecting your online privacy doesnt require a lot of effort or money. And importantly, the time to start is now.

D and D wrote:

---

Santa wrote:

---

 

Have a read through this article  it will give you a better understanding of just how data is collected and used.

No need to be paranoid, however there are simple steps you can take to minimise your online footprint.

---

 Link went to a sales page for zone alarm products.

 

---

 Thanks for bringing the mistake to my attention Mr and Mrs D, have removed the link and posted most of the relevant points, the

Zonealarm hijack kind of emphasizes just what can happen.