Online Security

In the latest salvo of the hot-button information privacy issue, Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) said April 11 they will introduce a "bill of rights" intended to protect US citizens' personal information both off- and online.

The frenzy surrounding online privacy and behaviorally-targeted online advertising brought me to the same conclusion FDR reached upon our entry into World War II: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

People know to look for the gold padlock when transacting online. E-commerce stores know they need an SSL certificate to get the gold padlock. It's something consumers have been told numerous times whether it was from a pre-holiday news special about protecting yourself online or from the family member that thinks they know everything about technology.