Letter: How Internet advertisers steal from you (June 5)
Ever wonder why and how you get so many pop-ups and unsolicited e-mails? One way, of the many, is click on one of them.
The moment you click it these advertisers have your IP address and start a profile on you. Profiling is illegal right? Wrong! It happens every day, all day. Any time you are on the Internet you are a target. This compilation of information starts categorizing you as to what you are interested in, your approximate location, and by what you click on, your approximate age and in some cases, your income bracket. You are beginning to give up personal information.
You want to give up personal information? Then go to Ancestry.com and start filling in the blanks. Now there’s an open invitation.
Beware of pop-ups that say “free”, they are not. For example, Netflix advertises a free trial, but the first thing they want for this free trial offer is your name and credit card number. Or you can go to free credit score and they want the same info. Free $1,000 worth of grocery coupons, and in small print “with offer participation.”
You can get those same coupons out of the newspaper. They all want your credit card number.
Here is what I did. I took out another credit card and put a $300 limit on it, and that’s the one I use for purchases on the Internet. If the number gets loose on the Internet, the most they can hurt me for is $300. If anyone takes it and exceeds the limit, that’s their problem for not checking it.
Besides, anything that costs more than $300, I want to see, touch, and smell before I purchase it. Not just look a picture on my computer and read the advertising blurb.
AT&T wants you to put all your eggs in one basket or “bundle.” Verizon wants you to check back in 24 hours for tomorrow’s deal. Once I buy I’m through shopping for that item. They both want you to buy a “smart phone” but it’s only as smart as it’s user.
These are just a few examples of how your personal info gets out. Some companies compile that info and sell it to other advertisers.
As far as I’m concerned, the only thing you should “click” is your seat belt.
Larry Turner,
Madera
