E-mail Privacy

Overview E-mail privacy is an issue that affects a growing number of people. To fully appreciate the lack of both privacy and security of our e-mail messages, it is important to understand the issues and threats that exist. Legal protection for electronic communication (including e-mail) does exist, but, as with most technology-related issues, the laws cannot keep pace with the changes. There are many steps that can be taken to increase one’s level of e-mail security and privacy, but complete security might not be a possibility.  

E-mail Security and Privacy Issues Both the communication and computer industries change rapidly. As a result, it can be difficult to keep abreast of current e-mail privacy issues. Visit www.andrebacard.com/email.html to view FAQs regarding e-mail privacy. E-mail privacy at the workplace is an area of hot debate, since most electronic information legislation does not apply to privately owned networks and e-mail systems. Read about possible e-mail privacy and security threats from individuals, businesses, and the government as they are recognized at this Web page. Frequent updates and in depth articles make this site a perfect guide for keeping current about e-mail privacy issues. This TechWeb article details an e-mail security issue that threatens the privacy of both individuals, and businesses. According to this article, tiny HTML “bugs” can be placed into e-mails for the purpose of accessing information. This e-mail tracking technology is currently being developed for marketing purposes.  

Legal Issues of E-mail Privacy Many laws and attempts to draft laws have been made to protect e-mail privacy. Regardless, e-mail security is still a serious threat to our privacy. Read about the laws that apply to e-mail privacy protection at public.findlaw.com/internet/email-privacy(1).html. This site is useful if you are interested in viewing the actual documents that describe some of the better-known laws that affect e-mail privacy. Copies of the laws are available online. To view the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, follow this link: cpsr.org/issues/privacy/ecpa86/. To view a copy of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 click this link: www.cpsr.org/cpsr/privacy/wiretap/ecpa86.html. To read a thorough summary of the Communications Privacy Act of 2000, click this link: www.cdt.org/security/000927hr5018.shtml. 

E-mail Privacy Solutions How can e-mail users maintain their privacy? What methods or technologies offer the best e-mail security? Answers to these commonly asked questions, plus general information about e-mail encryption, can be found at www.fortheweb.com/info/solutions/privacy.html.  Follow the link to www.taciroglu.com/p/i.htm. Here you’ll find an in-depth discussion of e-mail privacy problems and their solutions. Note: Navigate through the pages by using the blue numbers at the bottom of the page.