Some programs are even able to track keystrokes and take snapshots of computer screens, allowing criminals even more information, such as credit card numbers and usernames (Bahl, 219).

While the obtaining of information through fraud is a problem related to Internet activity, there are other concerns with privacy that are still considered legal. For example, a company can obtain your personal information from transactions, and legally sell that information to the highest bidder (Sinrod, 17). While information traded between companies can increase competition, when the information is purchased by unscrupulous buyers, such transactions can threaten the security, privacy, and identity of consumers.

In addition, while restrictions exist on the government's collection of private and personal information from the Internet, loopholes exist that allow the government to obtain information without the knowledge of consumers. An example is the FBI's "Carnivore" system, developed to conduct surveillance of electronic communications by intercepting and...
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