The Internet is surely the most powerful information tool that has ever existed. I am glad I live in this age where so much knowledge is available at my fingertips at any hour of the day.
Like any source of power, though, it can be dangerous if used incorrectly. News of the misuse of this power is everywhere and makes us cautious.
Thomas Friedman (author of "The World is Flat") is on TV as I write this. He is commenting on the fact that babies born today will leave digital footprints throughout their life times. Anything put out on the Internet will stay out there "forever." There is no good defense against the false information that anyone can put out there about you or others. Friedman recommends searching "MySpace Lawsuits" in Google to be aware of the abuses that have occurred.
A feature story in last week's magazine section of the "Houston Chronicle" also focused on privacy. It pointed out that the sources for getting information on people extend well beyond the Internet: cell phone logs track your calls; grocery store "discount" cards track your purchases; EZ Tags show where you have driven; GPS locators pinpoint your exact location at any moment in time; MapQuest provides driving directions to your house; the Appraisal District gives details about your home; voter databases reveal your age, etc.
Don't let fear of the abuses of the Internet keep you from taking advantage of its life-changing power. Electricity is power that can kill, but that doesn't stop anyone from turning on the switch. Just be careful and use your common-sense.
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