Web Bug Internet Privacy Protection

You probably don't know about web bug internet privacy protection and what it is exactly. A web bug is one of the most frequently used techniques used to track who is reading web pages or emails and from where. They are also commonly used to see if an email was read, forwarded or deleted. The first of these web bugs were very small sized images located within the email. Some e-mails and web pages are not completely self-contained meaning that they sometimes require incoming or outgoing information to be sent. When this process takes place, the email client or web browser prepares the email or webpage to be displayed by sending an initial request to the server for additional information.

These web bugs are normally created by users to monitor the activity of customers or computer users and are not necessarily used for evil. Web bugs were originally made to track browsing data of users visiting websites, but of course like everything else they have turned into something else a bit more malicious. From incoming emails the only threat is posed if you allow HTML and imagery to be displayed, in which your email client will try to access the hidden servers for the third party information. Web bugs that are embedded into email are a much greater privacy threat than web page embedded web bugs. Typically the URL received in the original email message is an identifier of sorts, the viewing of this URL signals the hacker that the email has been read or looked at. Once you click on that URL, the sender will also have a record of your IP address and the computer you used to access it. Bugs like this are generally used by Emarketers, spammers, and Phisher's in an attempt to verify that the email addresses are valid. Another function of these specific type of email web bugs are to test which emails pass through spam or mail filters and which do not, this information is very valuable to Phisher's and marketers alike.

You will generally not have to worry about receiving or being infected by a web bug in today's day and age. Modern email browsers are designed to not load images when opening an HTML email from any unknown sender or suspected spam address. In most cases the user will have to specifically ask to display imagery, and only in that case, will images or HTML code be shown in the email. If you are an avid web browsing, and email user. The most important defense against web bugs such as these is to be knowledgeable and staying ahead of these tricks and scams as they are introduced. To the unsuspecting, untrained eye these emails may look perfectly normal and most are willing to open them. Without the proper web bug internet privacy protection knowledge you may not be safe from these quickly moving and evolving bugs.

Oakwood Hospital Employee Fired for Facebook Posting - MyFox Detroit

MyFox Detroit

Oakwood Hospital Employee Fired for Facebook Posting MyFox Detroit "The reason they gave me was that I violated HIPPA regulations by disseminating protected health information about a patient on a public forum, ...

13 WTHRRite Aid fined $1M following WTHR investigation - WTHR

13 WTHRRite Aid fined $1M following WTHR investigation WTHR The announcement marks the second-largest settlement in US history for a company charged with violating patient privacy regulations established under HIPAA. ... and more »

Feds propose rules to strengthen patient privacy rights - BusinessWeek

Feds propose rules to strengthen patient privacy rights BusinessWeek ... Calif. and interim CIO at the Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, said current HIPPA rules are adequate and there is no need for additional regulation. ... HHS Proposes Rules To Enhance Health Information PrivacyNational Journal (blog) AHIMA Reaction to HHS Proposed Rule On HITECH Privacy RegulationsPR Newswire (press release) HHS Proposes Patient Privacy RulesInformationWeek Nextgov -Lexology (registration) -StarPhoenix all 79 news articles »

Redspin Delivers Expanded HIPAA Security Assessment Service for Healthcare ... - PR Newswire (press release)

Redspin Delivers Expanded HIPAA Security Assessment Service for Healthcare ... PR Newswire (press release) ... of the final meaningful use rule and remain consistently compliant with HIPAA regulations," said John Abraham, Chief Executive Officer of Redspin. ... HIPAA Faces HITECH-Empowered State AGsHealthLeaders Media all 7 news articles »

HHS proposes privacy rights rule - Lexology (registration)

HHS proposes privacy rights rule Lexology (registration) The new rules would expand individuals' rights to access information, restrict access of health information to insurers, and broaden HIPAA regulations to ... HHS releases long-awaited HIPAA/HITCH business associate proposed ruleLexology (registration) New hITECH/HIPAA proposed rule released todayLexology (registration) HHS proposes regulations to implement the HITECH Act's expansion of HIPAA ...Lexology (registration) Boosh News (press release) (blog) all 12 news articles »