Oops, someone is spying on you.

Imagine you are typing a mail for your friend, telling him or her about your personal life, and even sharing photos to update each other with current life. It is bliss to keep in contact with friends who are miles away from you in the lowest cost via e-mail. But, is internet a safe place for you and your friend?

Recent shocking news will be 'White House e-mail system under attacked' reported by CNET News.com. It seems that internet is not a safe place when security and privacy system in the internet are so vulnerable. 

According to Putnis and Petelin (1996), the weakness of computer writing will be the existence of machine problems compared to writing by hand. When writing an e-mail or publishing issues, people have to consider this aspect as the infringement of privacy is always the main cause of frustration in the cyber sphere. 

Is it safe for you to send private message using the Internet?

(image source: http://www.yourprivacy.co.uk/)

When we are working in any industry, people are required to have an e-mail to keep in contact with your boss, employees or even co-worker. Therefore, internet users should have the basic knowledge of protecting your own privacy to avoid somebody spying in your e-mail. In discussing the issue in relation to privacy protection (Yourprivacy.co.uk, 2008), the website has mentioned that there are concrete laws and legislation to protect you e-mail privacy either in work place or at home. 

Sadly, we still can see cases reported on behalf of e-mail being attacked and there is never a safe place to keep a secret in the internet. Weber (1995) has mentioned that all one should accept personal responsibility when it comes to ethical question if you are the one who invade the privacy of other internet users. The new media is certainly tempting and brings benefits to the society; however everyone should bear in mind that not to misuse the privileges that are given by the internet. 

Reference: 

Putnis, P & Petelin, R 1996, ‘Chapter 7: Writing to Communicate’, Professional communication: principles and applications, Prentice Hall, Sydney.

Vamosi, R 2008, ‘Report: White House e-mail system attacked’, CNET News.com 10th November, online news, viewed 11th November 2008, <http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/security/0,39044215,62048125,00.htm>

Weber, JH 1995, ‘Ethics in scientific and technical communication’,WISENET Journal, no. 38, pp. 2-4, viewed 11th November 2008, <http://www.jeanweber.com/>.

Yourprivacy.co.uk 2008, What Are Your Rights Regarding Email Privacy In The Workplace?, viewed 11th November 2008, <http://www.yourprivacy.co.uk/EmailPrivacyAtWork.html>