Considering Membership Privacy


Tutorial Home >Internet >Basics >Protecting Yourself Online >How do I check out online membership policies?
Tutorial Home >Internet >Security >Protecting Yourself Online >How do I check out online membership policies?
Tutorial Home >Internet >Shopping >Protecting Yourself Online >How do I check out online membership policies?
Tutorial Home >Internet >Basics >Protecting Yourself Online >Checking Privacy Policies >Considering Membership Privacy
Tutorial Home >Internet >Security >Protecting Yourself Online >Checking Privacy Policies >Considering Membership Privacy
Tutorial Home >Internet >Shopping >Protecting Yourself Online >Checking Privacy Policies >Considering Membership Privacy

  Step 1:  Public Directory Listings

Open a Report
When you sign up to become a member of a Web service, there are often questions about how the information you enter might be shared. Some search engines, for example, will ask if you want to have your name and email address listed in a directory. For example, when you become a member of Lycos you are asked if you want to be listed in the WhoWhere? PeopleFinder Directory. To not be listed, click on the box so the check mark is removed.
  Step 2:  Email Notifications

Open a Report
Many Web sites you sign in with will want to send you periodic email notifications. Often these notifications are intended to keep you coming back to the site (offering such things as giveaways and sweepstakes). Other times the messages will be to offer discounts on products. If junk email bothers you, this is one selection you may want to remove when you become a member of a Web site.
  Step 3:  Information to Other Companies

Open a Report
When you become a member of a Web site, you may be asked if the site can make personal information about you available to others. Because the site might know who you are, the keywords you search for, the online games you play, and sites you visit, they can often do a good job matching you with a company that wants to sell you something. If you are not comfortable having any company be given information about your personal Web habits, you should unselect this question.
  Step 4:  Participation in Online Polls

Open a Report
Some sites occasionally ask their members to participate in online polls. When you sign up for an Excite membership, you are asked if you want to participate in Harris Poll Online. Uncheck the box if you don't want to participate.